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Positive Educational Direction |
January 2011 Table of Contents | Next Article » Introduction: January 2011
Dear Friends, Between now and the end of March / beginning of April when admission decisions are announced is often the most frustrating part of the college admissions process. It is a time of waiting. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to call your Dunbar consultant. If your student has not already received a notification from each college that his or her application is complete, he or she should contact each college to make sure they now have everything that is required. Note that it takes some time for colleges to assemble all the application components - the application itself, SAT/ACT scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation - in a student's folder so don't panic if a college advises that something is missing. Confirm that it was in fact sent and then check with the college to confirm their receipt. Also, students should be sure to communicate any good news to colleges - strong first semester grades, a recent paper or project that was particularly well done, or a recent award or recognition. Students might also ask another teacher to send in a recommendation (colleges are happy to receive more of those as long as they show a different side/perspective about your child). Expressions of continued interest in attending the college are also helpful ("XYZ College remains one of my top choices" or the more emphatic "XYZ College remains my first choice; if accepted, I will attend."). Students should also make sure that their guidance counselor is fully aware of their college preferences so that the counselor can advocate on his/her behalf with his/her preferred colleges. After all the applications have been submitted, the most significant role of a parent should be a supportive one. When a letter of acceptance arrives, even if it is not from the first choice institution, celebrate! "Backups" by their very category often lack credibility in the minds of the applicant and any college seen as lower on the list needs demonstrative support. Our primary concern is that students feel good about themselves in the midst of a process from which few escape some degree of rejection. Naturally, we hope there will be none of this, but if there is, we will be here for you to offer support and, if needed, appropriate strategies and/or alternative planning. Hopefully, all our students will have some good options from which to choose; we're pulling for you! With all best wishes, Don Dunbar ddunbar@dunbarconsultants.com |
