STRATEGIES FOR FINDING THE RIGHT FIT FOR A SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE

BY KIM ANN ZIMMERMANN

As students near the end of their high school careers they face an exciting yet anxious time. Teachers, guidance counselors, friends and family members are offering advice as prospective college freshman wade through the applications and the tours.

College admissions officers say that input from parents, friends and others can be helpful, but ultimately the student has to make the choice. “The student needs to take
ownership of the process,” says Chris Dearth, assistant director of admissions for Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. “While your parents or others may be pushing for a bigger name school, I encourage students to think independently.”

One of the keys to finding the right college is assessing the way that you learn, something that is often overlooked, experts note. “Think about your past academic experiences and determine where you learned the best,” suggests Mary Ann Naso, director of admissions at Wilson College “Was it in a setting where you had the opportunity to ask questions and get immediate answers, contribute to classroom discussions and hear the thoughts and opinions of others? It will be important for
you to be at a college that will allow for these opportunities.”

Try to resist the temptation to slack off in your senior year, as colleges will be assessing your complete academic profile. “While it is tough, concentrate on your grades during senior year,” says Dearth. “It can mean the difference between getting into a good school or settling for something less.”

MAKING THE CONNECTION
You can learn some of the basics about a college by surfing its Web site. That will tell you some fundamental things, such as the courses and majors offered and other things that are important to you. However, most experts recommend an on-site visit to determine if it is a good fit.

“The campus visit is really the most important,” says Dearth. “All of the ads and brochures are going to look pretty. You want to be sure it matches up to the expectations that have been set.”

“Colleges offer many opportunities for you to visit,” Naso says. “There are open house dates with group presentations and tours. You can also schedule your own visit. Dress appropriately, especially if the college requires a formal interview. Be prepared to carry on a conversation with the admissions counselor.”

A visit will also help you get a sense of the layout of the campus. “The transition from high school to college is huge,” Naso says. “There aren’t going to be bells ringing to tell you it is time for the next class. You have to be comfortable navigating the campus.”

CHOOSING A MAJOR
You will want to find a college that offers the range of majors in which you think you are interested, Naso says. “This is important because most students do not graduate from college with the same major with which they entered. Candidly, my favorite major for first-year students is ‘undecided’ because this allows you to explore your many options and diverse career interests and then determine what will be most interesting and fulfilling for you.”

A school with sufficient liberal arts courses can allow students to delve into different areas of study, says Victor Aloyo, director of vocations at Princeton Theological Seminary.

“Quite a number of students make changes during their college careers,” he says. “The best environment is where there are plenty of opportunities to explore. Be sure that there are internship opportunities in your areas of interest. You might also look to see if the college has community projects that will enable you to dabble in your area of interest.”

Many colleges also offer career guidance to help students choose a career path. “More and more colleges are employing vocational counselors and setting up career centers,” Aloyo says.

Some other tips from Wilson’s Naso:

SHORTEN YOUR LIST
You should have three to five top choices. Invest in some file folders and create a file for each of those colleges. On the front of the file, record all of the important deadlines particular to that institution. From this point forward any letters, brochures or information that you receive from that college can be kept in that file.

APPLYING FOR ADMISSION
Make a copy of each college application. Using a pencil, complete all of the information that is requested; read it over and make any changes that are needed. Once you are satisfied that you have done the best job with that application, then you can transcribe your information to the form that you will submit. This will assure that you have thoroughly answered all of the questions.

AWAITING THE DECISIONS
Colleges that operate under a policy of rolling admission reach their decision and notify you when your application file is complete. Colleges that operate with a deadline respond to their applicants anywhere from March 15 to April 1. With an offer of admission comes the request for your enrollment deposit to secure your place in the class. Ethically, you should accept just one offer of admission and pay just one enrollment deposit to your top choice.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
You will not know with any certainty what your financial aid package will look like until you have filed your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the college has been able to construct your award package with the information they can access from your filing information. If the college offers scholarships, make certain that you have completed those applications on time.

FORMS AND MORE FORMS
Expect to receive a variety of forms from the college you have chosen. Health forms and housing forms with questions about your sleep and study habits and music preferences are just a few you can expect. You, not your parents, must take responsibility for completing and returning these forms.

ORIENTATION
The transition from home and high school to the college campus and classroom is huge. The purpose of orientation programs is to introduce you to the policies and procedures of your chosen college and assist you in this big transition.

PACKING AND LEAVING
It is not necessary to bring every possession with you since you only have half of the room. Things of extreme monetary and/or sentimental value are best left at home.

Q&A WITH UCC PRESIDENT

Union County College is the oldest two-year college in New Jersey and it has been educating students since 1933. UCC President Thomas H. Brown answers some of the questions most frequently asked by prospective students about the advantages of attending a two-year college.

Question: What are the advantages of attending Union County College instead of initially enrolling in a four-year college?
Dr. Brown: Union County College focuses on the teaching and learning of all students. It provides access to an excellent higher education at an affordable cost, and its programs are relevant to the needs of our society in preparing students for productive lives and careers.

Q: But if I really want to earn a bachelor’s degree, shouldn’t I go to a four-year school?
A: Once you earn an associate’s degree, you can easily transfer to a four-year college or university to complete your baccalaureate. UCC has negotiated over 50 agreements with colleges and universities throughout the nation that provide UCC graduates a seamless transfer to these schools with junior-year status. You are not limited by this list and UCC alumni have successfully transferred with advanced standing to more than 500 colleges and universities throughout the world.

Q: What are the economic advantages to attending UCC?
A: Tuition at Union County College for Union County residents is only $82 per credit. Per credit costs at four-year colleges in this area of New Jersey are more than twice that amount. In addition, UCC’s Office of Financial Aid provides expert assistance in pursuing state, federal and private tuition assistance and financial aid for which students may be eligible.

Union County residents entering the college as freshman who have record of achievement in high school are also eligible for the NJ STARs and Freeholder Scholars programs, which provide qualifying individuals two years of college in pursuit of an associate’s degree free of tuition.

Q: In addition to coursework, what else does UCC offer students to support them in meeting their educational goals?
A: UCC is known for its nurturing environment. Its counseling services are exceptional and one-on-one tutoring is available to all students through Academic Learning Centers on each campus. Class sizes are small, allowing students to receive individualized faculty attention. Unlike large four-year universities, there are no teaching assistants at UCC. All of UCC courses are taught by faculty members.

Q: What special support services are available to assist students who have been away from school for a while and have a job and/or family responsibilities?
A: In addition to academic support, UCC offers a menu of class options, on four conveniently located campuses, that will allow most students to find course offerings to fit their busy schedules.

Classes are available mornings, afternoons, and weekends throughout the spring and fall semesters. Full credit can also be earned over shorter periods of time with fall and spring late start classes, a three-week winter session, and during variable length summer sessions. Many classes are also taught online via computer or through videotapes, providing students with the ultimate in scheduling flexibility.

Union County College, 908-709-7518; www.ucc.edu

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