- Get into your dream school today!
Originally Posted on C2 Education Blog
This year a record number of students applied to college through early decision or early action plans, and these students are now receiving the results of their applications. Sadly, because of the record number of early applicants, there have also been a record number of deferrals or even outright rejections. If your child is among the thousands of other students worried about being rejected from their dream school, read on!
Students who have been deferred in early admission can still take steps to improve their chances of admission:
- Write a letter to the admissions office expressing continued interest in attending the school. Include any recent developments, such as awards, recognitions, or accomplishments.
- Send updated transcripts with first quarter/trimester/semester grades ASAP.
- If you test well, pay the late fees and register immediately for January SAT II subject tests. Strong test results could help push your application over the edge.
- If possible, determine who oversees your region and write that person a letter expressing your deep desire to attend the school.
- If possible, send in an additional recommendation letter from an impressive source – a professor you did research with, a Congressman you interned for, etc.
- DO NOT overwhelm the admissions office with additional materials or communications. It is advisable to augment your application, but if you go too far you risk annoying your admissions officers – NOT a good way to earn admission.
- Be sure that ALL communications come directly from the student, NOT the parent!
Students who are ultimately rejected from their top choice colleges have options. We always recommend that students apply to a few safety schools in addition to their dream schools so that in the event that they don’t get accepted to their first choice, they have a second, third, fourth, and even fifth choice as a backup plan. Still, while it’s nice to have a backup plan, a lot of students simply aren’t satisfied with attending their safety schools – and there’s nothing wrong with that. According to the National Association of College Admissions Counselors, about 1/3 of all college students will transfer schools at least once – if your child is unsatisfied with his college choice, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be one of them.
Often, the surest route to success involves transferring schools. For proof, check out the recent movie release The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. The title character is played by actress Rooney Mara, the granddaughter of the owners of both the Giants and the Steelers (clearly this has been a good year for that family!). Mara attended George Washington University – a perfectly good school with excellent academic programs. But GWU simply didn’t offer Mara the opportunities that she longed for; after a year, Mara transferred to NYU where she acted in student films before pursuing her career as an actress. For Mara, NYU was simply a better fit.
We’ve compiled some tips for students who hope to transfer from one college to another. If this is an option your child might want to pursue, it’s best to plan ahead – potential transfer students should plan for their transfers from day one!
- RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH. Researching prospective schools is even more important for transfer students than for freshman applicants because you must also consider whether your credits and financial aid will transfer and whether the school offers transfer scholarships.
- Look into scholarships. According to the NACAC, over ¾ of colleges offer merit scholarships for transfer students. Smaller schools are somewhat more likely to offer scholarships. Look into these options and factor this information into your decision when selecting a college.
- Plan when you want to transfer. Students who are unhappy with their college choice might be tempted to transfer after their freshman year (like Rooney Mara); however, most colleges accept larger numbers of junior transfers, so transferring before you’ve completed your sophomore year can be more difficult.
- The earlier you transfer, the more your high school grades and test scores will count in the admission process. Students whose high school grades or test scores are subpar would do well to wait until they have completed two years of college before applying as a transfer student.
- Get great grades. Your postsecondary grades will be the biggest factor in the transfer admissions decision. Go to class, study for your exams, get help from professors or teaching assistants, and do your assignments – these grades may well determine your ultimate collegiate fate!
- Utilize your summers. Colleges want students who will be active and involved on campus; by partaking in volunteer/internship opportunities during the summer, you can demonstrate your commitment to community involvement.
- Take care when selecting classes. Colleges prefer transfer students who are ready to begin work on their majors, so get your general education requirements and your introductory classes out of the way early.
- Save your course syllabi. These can come in handy when transferring – if you can show an advisor a copy of the course syllabi, the advisor will be better able to determine which of your course credits can transfer.
- Get involved. Join clubs and social groups – this shows prospective colleges that you will contribute to the campus and the college community.
- Go to office hours. Get to know your professors so that they can write recommendations for you when you apply to transfer.
Once students transfer, they face a new set of difficulties. As a transfer student, it can often be hard to adjust to a new campus, especially since your peers will already have found their niches and formed their social groups. Here are some tips for transfer students once they arrive at the schools of their dreams!
- Iron out the details before school starts. Don’t wait until enrollment begins (or worse, classes begin) to iron out any wrinkles in your financial aid or credit transfers. Make sure that everything is set in stone BEFORE you enroll in classes.
- Live on campus. It’s hard enough to get into the social scene without also living off campus.
- Be a joiner. Don’t underestimate the power of clubs, intramurals, and social groups – these organized functions may be the key to fitting in.
- Get to know your new professors. While other students may have developed long term relationships with their professors, you’re starting from scratch. These people may be helpful if you apply to grad school down the road, so take the time to make a new friend.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns regarding the college admissions process, don’t suffer alone – get help! Whether you seek out your school’s guidance counselor or the amazing college admissions counselors at C2 Education, be sure you get the right advice for your future.
