There is a new twist to college visits. Colleges are coming to the students at their high schools and accepting them without any waiting.
There are many students that want to attend college but the application fees are expensive as well as the college visit. With the vision of school counselor, Nancy Carlson, Rockville High School students in Rockville, Maryland don’t have the expenses of college visits.
Colleges Come To Students
Many families are afraid to encourage their children to attend college because they do not understand the process nor do they think they can afford it. This leaves many potential college students unable to attend. But, Rockville had a different plan. Colleges agreed to interview students at the high school the students attend. Students are to bring the following:
- High school transcript
- SAT scores
- Letter of recommendation
If the grade point average and SAT score are in the acceptable range and if required classes have been taken, the students are handed a Letter of Acceptance on-the-spot. And, since many colleges have a specific SAT level and g.p.a. for scholarships, students are told if they qualify for scholarships, also.
Three Years of Success
The initial College Night was so successful with one college, that many more colleges have participated in the new program. Carlson is very pleased with the creative program that has increased the number of students attending college. "For students, you can walk in and come out with an admission and money." [Julie Rasicot, washingtonpost.com, March 20, 2008] While the traditional College Night is planned around college representatives promoting the college they represent, this College Night actually brings the college to the students. In addition, the colleges waive the application fees if students apply that evening.
Makes Sense
College admission is usually an automatic process if students meet the minimum grade point average and ACT or SAT scores. However, most students don’t understand the process and neither do their parents. This recent trend makes sense. College visits are expensive for everyone but especially lower income families.
Participating Colleges
While this trend is quite new, several colleges have participated and find it to be successful. They meet the students and the parents without expense to the family. Some of the colleges that have begun to use the new format are
- Morgan State University in Maryland
- Morehouse College in Atlanta
- Coppin State University in Baltimore
- University of Maryland
- Dillard University in New Orleans
- Bowie State University in Maryland
Not All Are Accepted
Getting accepted during a College Night format is not always a automatic. If students do not meet the guidelines, they may be told they need remedial classes first. Some are told to take the SAT again to raise it. Others are told to take specific classes in high school and try again.
Once students are accepted to a college, self-confidence expands and they are more likely to attend college. Some states like Maine make a college application mandatory for graduation. The state will even pay for one application fee to encourage students to apply. Maine has found that when students are accepted, they begin seriously entertaining the possibility of attending college.
Source: The Washington Post, Julie Rasicot, March 20, 2008
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Copyright article 2008 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
