I left the Stanford campus that afternoon elated that I was, in a short amount of time, able to help this group of parents navigate one of the many aspects of the college search process – one that can be particularly time consuming and overwhelming – especially for those families trying to plan multi-day college road trips.

Later that evening I opened an email from the Stanford student who had been the coordinator for the Parent Program.  She was writing to tell me, “I am just reviewing the feedback forms, and your presentation received rave reviews across the board; many parents cited it as the highlight of the program for them!  Some verbatim quotes include: ‘The Planning and Preparing for College Visits was a great eye opener;’ ‘The college presentation was very informative!’ ‘Parents’ Program should have more talks like the ‘Preparing For College Visits’ presentation.”

Whether I am presenting information to a group or working one-on-one with a family, there are multiple messages, tools and techniques that I pass along.  What are two of the most important? For one, I am of the camp that believes that college visits really do matter and I cite and discuss several findings that attest to this.  Second, college visits can be much more valuable if each one is specifically designed to meet the needs of the individual teen.  While making these arrangements will take more time and effort, the student will come away with not just a clearer sense of the ambiance and atmosphere of the school, but with a clearer sense of self as well.

The positive feedback from the evaluations brought back memories of the day several years ago when the idea came to me for what is now Custom College Visits.  I founded the company because I saw a need among families of college-bound students for someone to guide them through the college visit process, especially those visiting multiple colleges over the course of multiple days.

If you are planning a trip with your teen or you’d like to discuss arranging a presentation for a group or organization, I’d love to hear from you.

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For More Information:

Janice Caine

Custom College Visits

Janice@customcollegevisits.com

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CTCL is a “non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and support of a student-centered college search process.” Their goal is to “help each student find a college that cultivates a lifelong love of learning and that provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life beyond college. CTCL was founded as a result of a book of the same name, Colleges That Change Lives, researched and written by former New York Times education editor Loren Pope.

The topic for the evening was “Looking Beyond the Rankings,” and it was exciting for me to hear someone with years of direct experience in higher education and college admissions talk to families about the importance of a student conducting a search with the goal of “fitting” with the college, regardless of the published rankings and the idea of having to attend one of the “top” universities or liberal arts colleges. Much of what she discussed reinforced my own philosophy and the way that I guide my students through the college search process. In upcoming posts I will address how we search for that “fit.”

But for today I want to mention my biggest takeaway for the evening. Ms. O’Connell brought up the issue that is front-of-mind for so many parents right now – the cost of a college education and the problem for new graduates of finding a job. Yet, there are many students who are graduating with jobs and others are gainfully employed within six months of graduation. And, it’s not necessarily those that have graduated with specific majors that many think are the ones in demand – or those that have graduated from the “name-brand” schools.

So, who are the college graduates that are getting the jobs? According to Ms. O’Connell it is those students that because of the right “fit” are able engage and become an integral part of their college community. Through various outlets – academic, social, cultural – they have become creative, critical and strategic thinkers. These are traits that employers today are looking for.

For instance, let’s take the example of graduate business schools. Many students think that it will give them an edge to major in business as an undergrad. But in many cases, this isn’t true. Many schools prefer to accept students that can think on their feet and display creative problem-solving skills. The same may be said for corporations that are looking to recruit soon-to-graduate or recent graduates. For instance, a while back I attended an information session for Dartmouth College that was held at Google. One of the speakers was a recent graduate of Dartmouth who now works for Google. His undergraduate major was history. He is not doing a job that has anything to do with history, but Google was looking for someone with a well-rounded education that has the ability to disseminate information effectively, come up with creative ideas, and be able to work as part of a team. While perhaps some of them were innate, his being able to engage in his college community enhanced these skills.

As your teens go through the college search process, you might suggest to them that they talk to people they know that are gainfully employed and happy with what they are doing. Did they go to college? If so, have them ask what the most important aspects were that they took away from their experiences there. It may help them to better understand what aspects of college life they should be looking for in addition to academics.

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To read online go to: http://www.ulitzer.com/node/2493121

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The following is a guest blog submitted by Samantha Martin. Samantha is founder of The Traveling Advisor, which offers custom design and education advising services. Below she shares with us the intricacies of study abroad.

A Closer Look at the International Student Experience

Students who earn a degree or study abroad outside of their home country are challenged and rewarded in ways they usually cannot imagine. In order to succeed, they must learn how to adapt and learn in different academic, social, and sometimes professional environments. The potential outcome is a well-rounded student who manages to understand and problem-solve in a way they would never be able to by remaining at home. The process of becoming an international student–and then actually being one– builds new capacities and life skills as well as knowledge in a particular field of study.

Let’s take a closer look into the international student experience.

Decision-Making and Preparation

The journey begins the moment a student decides to study away from home. In addition to the decisions everyone must consider such as: submitting an application, deciding what to study, paying for tuition and housing, etc., international students also have to apply for a passport and student visa, understand new health, transportation and financial systems, and communicate across time zones (sometimes in a different language!). Any expectations about how things work or what should happen are challenged even before the international student sets foot outside of his or her home culture. This is not to say the student is alone. Most international students have access to an advisor and faculty who can help them with their applications and preparation. In the rare case they do not, the internet is full of free and sound advice on how to prepare and be successful as an international student.

In the Classroom

Many students take for granted the fact that academic learning is also a product of social expectation. It comes as a real shock to find out that lecture styles, assessment, out-of-class work, in-classroom behavior, and the relationship with the lecturer (in other words, the entire classroom experience) is different from what the student is used to back home. For example, North American students often feel stressed that their entire semester’s grade depends on one assignment, whether that is a test or a paper. They may then be relieved to find out that if they fail, they do not need to retake the class, only retake the exam! On the other hand, students who come to the United States in particular often feel overwhelmed or stifled by the frequency of graded assignments, tests, quizzes, papers, and presentations, etc. but relieved that all of those assignments factor in to the final grade. In the end, the international student may decide that he or she prefers one style of learning over the other, but there are at least two valuable take-aways that will benefit the student for the rest of his or her life. The first is understanding that there are legitimately other ways of doing things and the second is learning “how to learn” in a different way.

Living Situation

Housing for college students varies greatly from country to country. Imagine expecting to have your own bathroom, only to find out you have to share a toilet and a bedroom with another student? This is quite common with international students coming to the United States from the UK or Australia, for example, who may be used to the idea of living in residence halls with their own bedroom and bathroom. For those students, ‘dorm culture’ is often difficult at first until they bond with roommates or hall mates and learn to appreciate American-style housing, in spite of the closeness. In many countries, on-campus housing is not popular or available due to the fact that most students attend university close to where they grew up and live with family through the schooling years. For US students studying overseas, being required to find private accommodation or stay with a host family may not be the norm, but they often cultivate a new sense of independence or cross-generational relationships within these other options.

Travel Opportunities

Traveling in a foreign country is far and away one of the biggest benefits to being an international student. For many, traveling is equal or even more instructive than the formal academic experience because it requires students to learn (or re-learn) how to accomplish simple as well as complex tasks. Paying for a cup of coffee becomes a challenge when requesting it in a different language using unfamiliar coins! Additionally, students must navigate different transportation systems and interact with populations outside of the ‘university bubble’. However, travel is not always as simple as expected. One of the biggest challenges for international students studying in the United States is a lack of public transportation outside of major cities–without access to a car, students cite feeling ‘stuck’. Budget accommodations are also harder to come by Stateside. On the flip side, many US students studying abroad come back to filled with stories about the ease of transport and availability of affordable accommodation! Whatever the case, international students make travel central to their overall experience.

Idiosyncrasies in Higher Education Systems

There are many examples of idiosyncrasies in a particular higher educational system, ranging from culture to assessment to semantics. For example, it is difficult for an international student in the United States to understand the structure and purpose of sororities and fraternities and what exactly is “Greek” about them! US students studying in other countries often find it difficult to adjust to how many hours they need to attend class (18-20 in China) or why a ‘70’ (UK, Ireland, Australia, etc.) or a ‘9’ (Spain) is considered a top-notch grade. US students say they are going to “college” while peers from other English-speaking countries say they are going to “university”. A master’s degree in North America typically takes 2-3 years to complete while in the UK a graduate student can earn a master’s in one year. Sports are a key element in most US colleges and universities (particularly US football) while European football (soccer) is organized outside of the university altogether and regional or national sports take precedence over collegiate sports. The topic of difference in higher education systems could be the subject of an entire book, but the point is that international students must adjust in both big and small ways if they are to truly integrate into life on a foreign campus.

Concluding Thoughts

Although never simple and rarely easy, the international student experience provides a unique opportunity for students to learn inside and outside of the classroom. The student’s academic, logistical, and cultural expectations are challenged by the very nature of the process and reality of living and studying in a different country. The result, however, is that the successful international student emerges from their experience with new knowledge, understanding, and skills to apply to further studies as well as their personal and professional life.

Resources:

• International Student Voice Magazine
• Open Doors
• General Information about Education Systems of a Country by Nuffic
• IDP Database, Research on International Education
• NAFSA
• The Forum on Education Abroad

Samantha moves, travels, and changes as a lifestyle and has been helping others do the same since 2006. She has lived, studied, worked, or volunteered in the United States, Cyprus, Northern Ireland and Colombia and traveled to many other countries. She worked as a Study Abroad Advisor in New York and Florida and served as a Rotary Youth Exchange Officer in New York. Samantha has a B.S. in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management and a M.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies and is a former recipient of the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship, Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, and Coca-Cola Event Planner’s Scholarship. She has designed and facilitated international programs as well as developed educational events, seminars, and courses on international education, multi-cultural communication, international scholarships and careers, personal and social change, conflict and identity, globalization and the environment, and other related topics.

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I came across the following article from It’s What’s Happening@Elon!, Elon University’s Fall 2012 guide to campus news and events. Kaitlin Carlin, Elon’s Assistant Director of Admissions for Campus Visit writes about Finding the Perfect Fit in the Counselor Corner. Her comments echo the advice I give to my clients as they begin the college and university search journey.

I’ll admit it: I hate buying jeans. They never fit quite right, the styles change, the colors fade. But once in a blue moon, there is a magical moment when I find a pair that seem to be made for me. I wear those jeans day in and day out, and with each wear they become more “me.” They might be hard to find, but when I do, I have to have them.

The college process can be similar. It starts out exhausting and frustrating, then becomes exhilarating and satisfying. Finding the right school is just the tip of the iceberg; you still have to be admitted. In admissions we constantly talk about “finding the right fit” – but how do you get there and make it your own?

If you’ve already been “shopping” for a college and have a few picked out, the next logical step is to “try it on.” A campus visit gives you a better feel for the school, and helps you develop relationships with the institution and its people. If this is a place where you can truly see yourself, let someone know! Visiting campus is your chance to meet with an admissions representative, if they are available, and give your honest feedback on the school. What is it here that excites you, what activities or majors are you ready to jump into, what concerns do you have or questions we can answer? These conversations help the admissions office get to know you on a personal level, and also tell us that you’re paying attention. Just as much as you, we want to form a relationship with the right people for the right purpose.

This relationship shouldn’t be limited to the campus visit. Pick up your admissions counselor’s card, and stay in touch! Being able to reinforce names, faces, questions and passions with an application can make a huge difference. If you see an admissions counselor at a college fair, stop by and say hello.

After “trying on” the college, you may be ready to apply and make it yours. Elon is looking for a smart student, but one who also has a great heart and commitment to character. It can be difficult to make your academics stand out beyond what you’re already doing in high school. Where you can make a difference is in the essay. No need to be wildly creative for its own sake and no need to tell a sob story either. Effectively answer the question to the best of your ability, but also take time to tell us about your experiences, passions, personality and character. Can’t fit everything into the essay? Use the personal statement. This is often overlooked, but utilizing the personal statement space to write more about you can really make a difference. Remember, we will see your academic profile and list of activities in the application itself. Think about what is key to your good heart, and tell us all about it.

It’s my greatest hope you find a school that, just like my favorite jeans, fits like a glove. Though the shopping and fitting process can be difficult and time consuming, it is SO worth it when you get to take that college home and call it your own.

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Last week my family returned from Florida, where we celebrated Thanksgiving with my parents.  Soon after making plans for this trip, we decided to try to fit in a visit to the University of Miami in Coral Gables.  My son, a junior in high school, has long wanted to visit the campus and it is on his prospective college list. This seemed like the perfect opportunity, and a great way to end our trip.

Not knowing what traffic would be like in Miami we left plenty of time to travel there and arrived a bit early. Since we had time before the information session we had a chance to walk around before heading to the admissions office. After the session, we grabbed a bite to eat at the food court where there were throngs of students and plenty of choices – even a daily pizza truck just for the “U!”

Our tour was not starting until 1:30 so we had some time to people watch in front of the student center, a great way to get a feel for the campus.  And what better way to do so than to relax on one of the many gliders that sit right in front of all the action.  There was so much going on!  That so many of the university’s students partake in community service was evident by the number of booths set up outside the campus center for fundraising for so many different organizations.  My husband noted that there must be lots of school spirit at UM; many of the of students were decked out in University of Miami shirts, polos, shorts and sweats.

Our tour was great! We were the only family in our group and not only did we have one-on-one time with the guide, but we got to hear from three guides-in-training as well.  It was great to hear from all of them about their individual experiences at the “U.”

Before heading to the airport we thought we might try to visit the School of Education and Human Development.  Our son is an athlete and is hoping to not only play golf and/or soccer at the college level but he is also interested in turning his passion for sports into a career. As such, we decided to head over to the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences to see if there might be someone there who could show him around or meet with him on short notice.  In line with our campaign to urge him to become a bit more assertive and self-advocating, we suggested that he head inside on his own.  And then we waited. And waited… When he finally returned to us, he was smiling from ear-to-ear.  Not only did he get to meet with a graduate student, he was also able to meet with a professor (who, according to the grad student, is seen as a mentor among the undergrads) who sat down with him and discussed some ideas about majors, minors and career possibilities.  This was truly the highlight of the visit!

While I always urge clients to try to plan ahead of time and arrange these meetings in advance, I do know that circumstances do not always allow for that.  If you find yourself on a campus with extra time, I would suggest that you make every attempt to seek out someone in your teen’s area of interest.  You never know whom you or your high-schooler might meet – and it’s meetings like these that can help in so many ways:

• they might motivate your teen to
  • Set new goals
  • Explore a new college major/career path
  • Get better grades
  • Decide that a certain major is not for them
  • they may provide insight for writing college essays
  • they may help narrow down the college list

We all enjoyed our visit to the Coral Gables campus and best of all, our son came away excited with his new-found knowledge and ready to tackle his studies – with the intent of applying to the University of Miami next fall.

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Hi, I’m Brittany! I’m a junior from California. I’ve been a tour guide at Smith College for almost two years, and things still surprise me. I remember when I was being trained, and it seemed absolutely vital that I remember the exact number of books in the library. Now, I more accurately know the reasons I don’t need to know this. For the same reason that I don’t care, a prospective student doesn’t care. But just like me, she is going to be impressed that we have four libraries. And regardless of the actual number, within those libraries are the books that I’m going to need—and that’s what I need to convey to the prospective students.

Someone once asked me who my favorite Smith alumna is. I believe she expected a typical response like Julia Child or Gloria Steinem. I hemmed and hawed and named dropped for a minute, and then surprised her. “My mother.” She seemed taken aback, and then pleased. For the rest of the tour we were able to discuss traditions and carrying on a legacy. I try to be as honest as possible on my tours, because I know that’s what I wanted. (That’s also why I always show the bathrooms. Priorities. Seriously.) The point of a tour, as far as I see it, is to see the campus from the student’s perspective. Through my eyes. I always point out the President’s house—it’s a prime trick-or-treating spot—and I show them all of the dining halls. “Don’t forget, the meal plan is unlimited and the menus are available as an iPhone app!”

People often come up to me once they attend Smith and tell me that I was their tour guide. “You were my tour guide! You started talking and my mom went, “Wow, she must be involved in the arts. (I am.)’’

I love to give tours because I love to share my happiness with people. Be here! Share it with me!

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