Admissions Panic: Will This Kid Go to College?
Even Procrastinators Can Find the Right Fit
February 4, 2009
Heidi Lippmeier Fletcher
Vice President for Enrollment Management
College of Notre Dame of Maryland
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YahooMyWebIt happens every January. You think you know where your child will be attending college next year. Then you find out that she doesn’t want to go to the only college she applied to, or that a community college isn’t for her, or she isn’t going to make it off the wait list.
Panic sets in - for the family, rarely the student. Is it too late? Are there any good colleges still accepting students? What about scholarships and financial aid?
Don’t panic – and try to keep that horrified look of disbelief off your face. You’ll have to move quickly, but there is hope. Many good colleges are still accepting applications. Time is the critical factor because many schools are approaching deadlines for admissions, scholarships and financial aid.
Truthfully, some schools are no longer accepting applications. But that’s OK because about 300 others are still in the process. Some colleges will have deadlines in February, and others will accept applications throughout the summer. Regardless of when applications are due, many schools have financial aid and scholarship deadlines in February and March. Whether you think your family can receive aid or not, it’s important to apply. Free dollars and low-interest loans can help any family.
What’s the best college fit for your son or daughter? Some basic narrowing factors could be: big or small; rural or urban; public or private; co-ed or single sex; or how close to home your student wants to be. Do a little research on the Web to determine if a college’s admissions requirements are in line with the academic profile of your child. Actually, have your college applicant do this research.
Merely attending the school that her friends (or significant other) will be attending is not the best method of selection.
Once a short list of about three or four colleges has been created, it’s time to pick up the phone. Have your son or daughter call the admissions offices to see if they are still accepting applications. If they are, ask questions about deadlines for applications, scholarships and financial aid.
Your child should apply to more than one school. She may or may not be accepted and will definitely want to have a choice. You’ll also want to be able to compare financial aid packages and have more time to determine the best fit.
Again it’s time for quick movement as the application process can be involved. My experience has shown that the biggest delay can come from getting official transcripts and recommendations from your child’s high school.
Guidance offices are very busy this time of year, but you can make it much easier for them by providing the counselor with all of the necessary paperwork (prefilled as much as possible). If the student needs a recommendation, it’s always helpful to provide the reference with a resume or outline of the student’s accomplishments and interests. Make sure the counseling office and registrar know the pending deadlines.
Get those admissions applications submitted and then start completing the FAFSA form (www.fafsa.gov). Next month I’ll help you navigate the financial aid and scholarship process.
Heidi Lippmeier Fletcher is vice president for enrollment management at College of Notre Dame of Maryland. She has worked in admissions at colleges in North Carolina and New Mexico. Ms. Fletcher holds a bachelor of arts in anthropology from The University of Cincinnati and a master of arts in anthropology/human biology from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
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I go to College of Notre Dame and I think it’s awesome, your daughters should seriously consider applying here if and when they are able to go to college.
A.S.
Class of 2012