Let's Stop the College Madness!, by Helen Codron

I’m the mother of two young adults, and I remember the college admissions madness well: When my kids were seniors, we were consumed with anxiety about coming college admissions decisions. When they were juniors, we were in the middle of the SAT/ACT prep and test-taking grind. Sophomore spring was spent debating just how many “rigorous” classes they could cram into their junior year schedules and just how little sleep they needed; maybe a zero period WAS doable! 

Unfortunately, much of the college-related chatter that swirls year-round can bring a gnawing fear. Maybe you’ve heard some of these “truths”:

Your kid has to play a varsity sport—for all four years of high school—or you can forget about it.

Every student must take at least 3 APs by end of junior year. Also play an instrument. And don’t forget about community service.

Nowadays, kids have to “brand” themselves!

And maybe you’ve heard about “Steve?” He got straight A’s and still didn’t get in ANYWHERE! 

The transition from high school is a big step, so it’s natural to feel some anxiety about the process. But the sports analogy holds; somehow, we’ve transformed a personal journey that should be exciting and fun into a competition—and that’s creating an undue amount of pressure for our kids.

I’d like to offer a different perspective, one based on my own children’s experiences and the experiences of the many students I’ve college-counseled over the years. 

·       Your student will get into college! According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, there are just shy of 3000 4-year degree-granting institutions in the United States. There truly is a place for every student, no matter how untraditional the high school experience, challenging the learning differences, or unique the academic interests.

·       4-year college immediately following high school is not the right path for every student. A gap year, trade school, employment, and/or junior or community college can be terrific options.

·       A focus on fit, instead of on “brand-name” schools that might happen to be at the top of the U.S. News & World Report list, makes for a successful college process. Most parents I talk to are clear they want their kids to be “happy” and “successful.” But too often, the assumption is that those outcomes are only possible with a degree from certain institutions. The “best” college? In my opinion, that’s the one that offers the programs, resources, and culture that suit a student’s unique academic, extracurricular, and social profile.  (You might be interested to know that few of the variables used to compile the U.S. News & World Report rankings list have much bearing on the undergraduate experience. For more information about how the list is created, go here: http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-us-news-calculated-the-rankings?page=2).  Bragging rights are nice. But if the goal is truly a student’s happiness and success, it’s more important that he or she lands in an environment where s/he feels comfortable enough to make the most of the opportunities that are available.

·       It helps to keep your eyes on your own paper. The less information you and your student share with extended family members and friends, the less opportunity others will have to make judgments and offer you anxiety-producing (and often incorrect) “advice.” Consider making a pact with your circle of friends (and encouraging your student to do so, too) not to ask one another—or each other’s children!—about college lists, test scores, and “top choices.” 

·       In the absence of such an agreement, don’t initiate college-themed conversations. When asked, practice these responses: “Oh, she hasn’t decided yet.” “He doesn’t have a top choice.” “You’ve probably never heard of them.” “I don’t really know!” “He asked me not to talk about it.” 

·       By the time our kids reach high school, our job is to offer ample words of encouragement and limited, well-timed words of advice—and to let go of the reins. If you find yourself using “we” (as in: “We’re applying Early Action to as many schools as possible” or “We’re taking the ACT again in the spring”), you might want to remind yourself that the steps and tasks of the college process are critical preparation for success in college—and life. If we don’t give our kids the chance to develop these skills, we’re robbing them of the wisdom, confidence, and self-knowledge that come with experience.

·       Remind yourself of this truth: If the goal of the process has been to pursue the “best fit” college at which your student will thrive, the most stressful part of the journey will be deciding between all the terrific options.

Helen Codron, M.Ed.                                                                                                             

Independent College Counselor (NACAC, WACAC)                                                    

Credentialed Secondary Teacher (English)

More and more colleges and universities are going "test optional," which means that ACT or SAT scores are not a required part of the admissions application. For a complete list of the 1000+ test optional schools across the country, go here: http://fairtest.org/university/optional

Helen recommends the following resources:

More and more colleges and universities are going "test optional," which means that ACT or SAT scores are not a required part of the admissions application. For a complete list of the 1000+ test optional schools across the country, click here:

The Colleges That Change Lives Consortium is a collective of 44 schools across the country that are "dedicated to the advancement and support of a student-centered college search process...and work...to help students frame their college search beyond the ratings and rankings. CTCL was founded on a philosophy of building the knowledge, character and values of young people by introducing them to a personalized and transformative collegiate experience."

 Frank Bruni: Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania