The Insider: College Admissions Advice from the Experts

To say that the college admissions process makes students and their families “a little anxious” would be an understatement for most people in almost any grade of high school. The climate surrounding college admissions has shifted so drastically in recent years, and for good reason! Many more students are attending four year colleges and universities, and earning a valuable degree in the process. But because most schools are not adding seats to their classrooms, increased competition in admissions has had a rippling effect on many high school students. Additionally, the increased use of the Common Application has undoubtedly resulted in students happily submitting more than the suggested number of applications to schools which they have no intention of applying. More is more in many minds, even though less is more is the wisdom we encourage in so many parts of this process.

As a college admissions consultant, I always encourage students to succeed at the highest level in both their classes and on the standardized tests required for acceptance at most colleges. But given that success is measured differently for every student, I want to provide some guidance for those who have a mid-range or lower GPA.

For some families, pushing the send button on their first round of applications for either Early Decision (a binding contract) or Early Action (non-binding applications) can be elating and a huge relief in a way words cannot begin to describe. The biggest challenge for most students afterwards, though, is summoning the motivation needed to finish any remaining applications so that they meet their Regular Action deadlines — it’s also a challenge for those charged with helping students, e.g. guidance counselors and parents, those wanting to bring closure to the process.

“HANGING back and allowing children to make mistakes is one of the greatest challenges of parenting.” This is perhaps one of the best points made in a recent NY Times article, Raising Successful Children, and couldn’t be more poignant than in the fall of your child’s senior year.

It’s not uncommon at this time of year as a parent of a high school junior to think “What is going on?  Is this year ever going to get any easier?”  It sometimes feels endless:  the number of tests students need to take on top of their most intense academic demands thus far in high school, trying  to research and visit colleges, juggling what are probably multiple after-school activities, and of course, Driver’s Education!  Phew!  Well, maybe it helps to know you are not alone.  When parents who have survived junior year commiserate with you, most of them will very likely let you know that, though the college application process isn’t a walk-in-the-park and the stress of waiting for decisions can be a nail-biter, somehow, senior year is actually easier.