THE RESOURCE CORNER

THE RESOURCE CORNER: How To Get Into College

ADMISSIONS ADVICE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Hello, EAST fam! I’m Hailey Canada, and I’m an Admissions Counselor at the University of Arkansas. I have worked in admissions, student involvement, leadership development, event planning, and organization advising across the state. My experience with so many different areas at different Arkansas universities has given me a unique perspective of higher education and how important it is for students to find their fit when deciding where to attend college. I hope to pass on some of this knowledge to you through a few helpful tips. Every student’s college admissions process looks slightly different, but there are some general ways that each student can make this important time in their life a little bit easier and less stressful!

1. Start early. It’s never too early to start thinking about college! Enjoy your time in high school, but there are certain things that can help you prepare for college while also enhancing your high school experience. Take AP, IB, or concurrent classes for college credit, keep up your GPA, attend info sessions about colleges before your senior year if your counselor allows it, and get involved and/ or take on leadership roles in clubs that interest you. If there are specific colleges that you know you’ll want to apply for, look up their admissions requirements, and make sure you’re meeting them! Sign up for mailing lists to get information via email and snail-mail. Don’t wait - many admissions deadlines are during the fall of your senior year.

2. Look for resources specific to you. Are you a first-generation student (this means that neither of your parents attended college - even if an older sibling attended, you’re still first-gen!)? Do you identify as belonging to a minoritized population? Do you or your parents serve in the military? Are you a citizen of a different country? Does your family receive SNAP benefits? Do you have an IEP? Did a family member attend the college you want to attend? Do you want to be part of a college Honors program? If you answered yes to any of these questions, many colleges have entire offices dedicated to helping you. Take advantage of them because there may be additional funding or programs available for you to participate in.

3. Visit campuses. Sometimes a campus can have an amazing website, an amazing brochure, an amazing-sounding program but not feel like “home.” Visiting campus really helps you figure out if you can see yourself living there for the next two to five years! (Even if you don’t live on campus, you’ll spend a lot of time there.) Most universities have visit days and offer campus tours throughout the week. Ask your high school counselor about college visit options. If you don’t have the resources or ability to visit, most schools have a virtual tour on their website. Virtual tours can also help you narrow down which universities to see in person. 4. Talk to your admissions counselor(s). That’s what we’re here for! You will have an admissions counselor at every college at which you apply. Admissions counselors, like me, often visit your high school (or have virtual visits), set up tables at college fairs, and send you emails. Throughout the admissions process, we are here to help you answer any questions about the university we represent. While I am always happy to answer questions from your parents/guardians, I really love when students reach out to me directly so that I can build a relationship with them and help them feel comfortable about potentially attending the university.

5. Apply early. Be sure to meet priority deadlines for admissions and scholarships! These deadlines are there for a reason and often come with incentives, like additional scholarship opportunities or free gear.

6. Find (and apply for!) scholarships. Make sure you apply for scholarships at every university that you are considering. On top of that, apply for scholarships in your community. Spend time talking to your high school counselor about how to find these! Check your parents’/guardians’ work benefits to see if dependent tuition waivers are available, and, like always, utilize Google; be sure that scholarships are legitimate before giving any information. You cannot go overboard when applying for scholarships, and don’t use the excuse that it’s “too much work.” If a scholarship is worth $500 and takes you one hour to apply for it, receiving it would mean you made $500/hr. You really can’t make that much money doing anything else!

7. Choose recommenders wisely. If an application asks for a letter of recommendation, be sure to read the requirements and choose a recommender that can speak to how you meet those requirements. For example, if a program is looking for individuals that possess creativity and ingenuity, maybe ask your EAST facilitator to write a letter for you. Also, be sure that you give your recommender plenty of time to write a letter for you; don’t wait until the last minute!

8. Weigh more than just the cost. Trust me, I understand that a college’s cost may be one of the main factors when making your decision, and look at a college’s graduation and employment rate, scholarship opportunities, programs of study, and facilities. Attend the college that meets your needs (this can include cost!).

9. Check (and read) your email. Information is continually being sent out, and sometimes it can be overwhelming. If you’re serious about a specific college, be sure to read any email that they send out. This can include scholarship opportunities, upcoming events, changes to a schedule or process, updates to your application, information requests, and more. Don’t miss out on opportunities because you forgot to check your email. (Bonus tip: Be sure to apply with an email that you’ll have access to even after you graduate from high school.)

10. Do your own research. Not everything you hear is true! Policies change, opportunities arise, and new initiatives are created all the time. Your brother may have applied to a college last year, but requirements may have changed since then. Your friend may have applied last week but qualify for different programs than you. Please ask your admissions counselor or look on the university website if you have any questions or want something clarified. Every individual’s application is different, and you want to make sure you always have the correct, up-to-date information.

Hailey Canada | Regional Admissions Counselor | University of Arkansas | hmcanada@uark.edu

ADMISSIONS ADVICE FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Hello everyone in the EAST Network! I am Lizbeth Wilson, Admissions Counselor and Coordinator for Berea Corps at Berea College (BC)! BC is a small private liberal arts school in Berea, KY, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. BC was the first interracial and coeducational college established in the south in 1855 with a No-Tuition Promise to every admitted student; a value of more than $176,000 over four years. As a result, BC students graduate with one of the lowest rates of student loan debt. BC seeks to admit students who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need. We enroll students from all over the country and 70+ countries, with nearly 40% of our students identifying as students of color and 60% as first-generation.

One oft-noted benefit of attending a private institution is smaller class sizes. Smaller class sizes allow for more discussion-based academic learning so that students may process material and be more engaged. This tight-knit community means students have more access to research opportunities, networking is easier, and student involvement both in and out of the classroom is more apparent. As the saying goes, “you’re not just a number” at a small school.

It’s incredibly easy to get overwhelmed with advice about how to ace the application process for various colleges. Below, you’ll find three things you should know about applying to a private institution, no matter the school:

1. Each college often has their own application requirements (e.g. recommendation form, specific essay, etc.) Make yourself a spreadsheet to keep up with variations from school to school.

2. Brush up on your interviewing skills. Whether with an admissions officer or alum representative, an interview can be an important part of the process.

3. Take advantage of the “extras”! These schools often have competitive acceptance rates so they’re looking for students who demonstrate their desire to be admitted. Submit that resume, write the optional personal statement, visit campus...distinguish yourself.

Lizbeth Saucedo Wilson | Admissions Counselor | BereaCorps Liaison

QUICK TIPS! <<<<

Check a university’s list of majors to be sure they have something you want to study!

Apply for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship!

Talk to your high school counselor or career coach about your plans!

Have a backup plan! Apply for more than one college because COVID has taught us that literally anything can happen to mess up our plans.

Ask questions! No one expects you to know everything.

Have fun! This is an exciting time.