| No more than a few years ago, college | | | | the United States and the bridging of a more |
| planning started in 12th grade where it was | | | | global world, the encouragement of students |
| the first time students learned about the SAT | | | | to attend a college or university out of |
| tests and build their list of colleges. | | | | state has increased as well as the |
| Times have change with many students | | | | encouragement for students to consider |
| currently beginning their planning as early | | | | applying to more colleges. At the same time, |
| as 9th grade. While some may argue that | | | | these colleges and universities have become |
| beginning the college process this early is | | | | aggressive in their recruitment and marketing |
| ridiculous, the truth is that it’s | | | | techniques introducing more attractive |
| quite necessary. Keep in mind that asking | | | | opportunities that a student has to choose |
| young students in 9th grade what colleges | | | | from. As a result, students must begin |
| they are applying to does not define good | | | | researching what colleges seem the |
| college preparation; however, asking them if | | | | “best fit†for them deciphering |
| they would like to keep the educational doors | | | | the difference between persuasive marketing |
| open after high school is a conversation that | | | | messages. Just a reminder that finding the |
| must happen early on. Before reviewing the | | | | “best fit†does not mean finding |
| aspects of good college advising, | | | | out about the likelihood of being admitted. |
| let’s look at three major influences | | | | Instead, finding the “best fit†|
| that have impacted the way we plan for | | | | college means to conduct campus visits, |
| college. | | | | research their personalities and atmosphere, |
| | | | and asked themselves “where do I really |
| Competitive Labor Market: | | | | fit best?†All this requires more time |
| | | | for investigation and planning outside |
| According to the Current Population Survey | | | | regular high school counseling hours. |
| conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2003, | | | | |
| 77% of students who receive a high school | | | | It’s evident that the college going |
| diploma will enter the labor force compared | | | | culture is growing by the minute, and in |
| to 85% who receive a bachelor’s degree | | | | order for students to end up happy and |
| and 91% who receive a doctorate’s | | | | successful (in that order), the college |
| degree. The same survey also revealed that | | | | conversation needs to start early. Be aware, |
| the average earnings in 2002 increased with | | | | however, there is a damaging assumption that |
| each education level with high school diploma | | | | in order to help students prepare for |
| workers earning an average of $27,280 | | | | college, we must use tactics that instill |
| annually, compared to the average annual | | | | (intentional or unintentional) anxiety, fear, |
| income of $51,194 earned for the | | | | and uncertainty to the process such as |
| bachelor’s degree holder (Stoops, | | | | national rankings and statistical GPA and SAT |
| 2004). The pressure and expectation of | | | | averages. On the contrary, students who are |
| students attending college is no longer a | | | | most successful in the college process are |
| “dream†or family quest, but more | | | | those who can reflect on their own needs and |
| a requirement in order to obtain a career | | | | interests, and more importantly act on those |
| that gives a decent paycheck. | | | | needs and interests, as well as establish |
| | | | good study habits and time management skills. |
| Population and Demand: | | | | |
| | | | |
| With competition increasing due to the sheer | | | | Also, keep in mind college admissions review |
| numbers of high achieving students, students | | | | student’s academic and extracurricular |
| and parents applying to college are feeling | | | | activities for the entire 4 years; not only |
| the pressure to prepare early. The panic of | | | | 11-12th grades. Many students who do not |
| becoming the “top student†or | | | | have a sense of what colleges expect of them |
| “winning the race†has evolved | | | | risk the surprise of not meeting specific |
| into an obsession that leads students and | | | | requirements or not having enough time to |
| their parents to push the college planning | | | | build on their interests in time. In order |
| envelope as early as possible. The good old | | | | for students to reflect on what makes them |
| American “competitive spirit†is | | | | tick, we must challenge our students to find |
| out there, and although often having negative | | | | their voice early in life, introduce the |
| effects on student performance (if this | | | | ideas of what a college education means in |
| competitive spirit is not nurtured | | | | terms of opportunity, and prepare them to be |
| appropriately), the desire to become number | | | | advocates for themselves as they decide which |
| one demands early college planning. It also | | | | high school courses to take and which |
| ensures successful results in getting | | | | activities to be involved in. This is the |
| students in the college of their choice. | | | | process of finding their voices, and it is |
| | | | their voices that will drive the college |
| Increase Colleges Choices | | | | process as we as educators, counselors, and |
| | | | parents become their cheerleaders. |
| With over 3,000 colleges and universities in | | | | |