The high school road to college may seem like four of the most challenging years families face. There are deadlines, tough financial choices, and parents and children don't always agree on colleges. If that isn't stressful enough, every year there are tasks that high school students should be checking off their to-do list. How do parents help their students navigate all the details and decisions they must make during their countdown to college? Here is some advice from the pros -- a parent who's been through the process and a college admissions counselor.

Starting the Conversation

It all starts with a conversation between parent and child. But often the question that starts the conversation is the wrong one, according to Rick Clark, an undergraduate admissions counselor.

"Parents ask, where do you want to go to college?” Clark says. “The biggest question that parents don't ask or lose sight of is why do you want to go to college?"

That why is important, and should be followed up with questions like "What do you hope to get out of this? What do you want to study? What do you want to do long-term?" says Clark.

Freshman Year: The Importance of Academics 

Rachael Fain, a mom of three, stresses the importance of the GPA during freshman year. Fain's daughter, Hannah, graduated from college. Fain also has a son, Matthew, who is a sophomore in college. 

"My children started taking high school classes in eighth grade," Fain says. "A GPA is harder to bring up in junior and senior year, so our goal their eighth- and ninth-grade years was to keep their GPA high."

The freshman year is also important for getting on a challenging track of classes.
"Course choice is important," Clark says. "Math in particular is something students need to pay attention to."

Taking challenging classes in high school helped Matthew make his college decision. He decided to pursue his degree at the university where he took dual credit courses when he was in high school.

Sophomore Year: Getting to Know You

Tenth grade is a good year for self-reflection. Students can take personality tests and the PSAT to figure out their strengths and weaknesses. They can also start thinking about the kind and size of school they want to attend. 

Understanding what they are good at will help high school students be realistic about the school that is the best fit for them.

Junior Year: Balancing Grades and Activities

Grades are crucial during the junior year. Junior year also involves a more challenging track of classes and leadership roles in clubs and activities. It's hard to do it all, so how important are the extracurricular activities? It depends on the student and the college. 
"At one of my children's colleges, extracurricular activities were really important," Fain said. "At the other one, they didn’t' matter as much."

Clark says one out of every four students who apply to the school where he works are accepted. 

"Most students that apply have good test scores, good grades and good courses. Then the review committee asks, 'Is this kid a good fit for us?'" 

Clark says they look for students who are innovative or who are entrepreneurs. They want to know how students spend their time.

"If they are a good student who goes home and plays video games, what will they contribute to the school?" Clark says. 

On the other hand, it stands out if students are responsible, if they work a job or if they make an impact in their school or community in some way. 

Senior Year: Find Your Fit

Clark says the most important thing about making a college decision is finding a good fit. 

"Fit doesn't really mean can the student do the work, but are they aligned well to the school." 

For example, Clark says two universities can look the same on paper. A student will apply to each with the same grades and same test scores and get accepted to one and not the other.

"That is what fit is," Clark says. "How a student fits with a school, not just from an academic standpoint."

If you and your child do not agree on the same school, Clark says to approach the topic by assuring your children that you love  and support them, and that no matter where they go to college, they will be able to learn, grow and make the experience a great one.
The good news is that there are many schools across the country and more than one of them will match your student's personality and academic standing.

"If you or your child feels overwhelmed, take a deep breath and remember there is a school for every student," Fain says.

Janeen Lewis is a writer, teacher and mom to Andrew and Gracie. 

Countdown to College Checklist: 

A Timeline That Will Take You Places

Preparing for college can be overwhelming for high school students and their parents because of the many steps it takes to get an acceptance letter. But breaking the college to-do list into manageable steps for each year of high school makes the process less stressful and teaches students responsibility, the very thing they will need for what they want to achieve -- a college education. Follow this step-by-step guide for a smoother countdown to college.

Freshman Year

• Talk to your parents and guidance counselor at the beginning of the year to set goals.
• Take the most challenging courses available to you.
• Make good grades.
• Try a variety of activities.
• Take advantage of opportunities to visit college campuses when you travel.

Sophomore Year

• Visit college and career fairs.
• Build your resume. Make a list of awards, accomplishments, and activities.
• Take the PSAT for practice (you can take it your sophomore and junior year, but it won't count until you are a junior).
• Start preparing for the ACT and SAT. There are many test-prep guides available online and in book form. There are also classes and tutoring businesses that offer test prep.
• Assess your strengths and weaknesses and take a personality inventory.
• Research possible careers.
• During the summer, begin researching colleges that might be a good fit.

Junior Year

• Take the PSAT, which can qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
• Accept leadership roles in the activities that suit you best.
• Narrow your list of possible colleges that match your interests and academics.
• Take the ACT and/or SAT.
• During the summer, volunteer or find an internship or job related to your future career.
• Write a college entrance essay draft. Have it critiqued by a guidance counselor or teacher.

Senior Year

• Fill out the FAFSA
• Narrow your college search to six to eight schools.
• Post all important deadline dates on a calendar.
• Retake the ACT or SAT if needed.
• Polish your resume.
• Ask for teacher recommendations.
• If possible, visit the colleges you are applying to.
• Send out all your college applications.
• After you receive your acceptance letters, compare scholarship and financial aid packages and make your final decision.
• Notify all the schools you were accepted to of your decision.
• Celebrate the beginning of a new timeline at college!

Whether you are a recent high school graduate or an adult returning to college to enhance your career skills, Tulsa City-County Library provides free remote resources to help you prepare for success. With a library card, you can access beneficial services sure to help keep any scholar on the path to graduation, a rewarding career and even higher education opportunities.  

Start by visiting TCCL’s online education research webpage, www.tulsalibrary.org/programs-and-services/adults, to find information for any college-bound student. Compiled by librarians, this page features links to digital Web and TCCL resources for online learning, college-planning guides, books available for checkout and other resources to help students prepare for their next chapter. Help is available on topics like financial aid for students, entrance exams, choosing the right college and everything needed for the transition to college life.

Students and adult learners also can find valuable information and help through these online resources:

LearningExpress Library

Researching the right degree and school is just part of the college process. Making the grades and doing well on the college entrance exams are also integral parts of the equation. LearningExpress Library is an innovative research tool that offers students of all ages targeted learning centers with easy, one-stop access to hours of interactive skill-building tutorials, practice tests and free downloadable eBooks. College-bound students will find helpful resources on financial aid, choosing the right college and information on admissions exams.

The School Center offers students an opportunity to boost their skills in core subjects such as:

• Math
• Reading Comprehension
• Science
• Social Studies
• Writing and Grammar
• Vocabulary and Spelling

With interactive lessons and practice exercises, students can learn at their own pace, on their own schedules and build the skills that will help them succeed in school—and beyond!

 In the College Admissions Test Prep center, students can get help with writing admissions essays and practice for the ACT, SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, AP Exam, TOEFL iBT and IELTS tests. These practice tests mimic the timing, scoring and format of official exams to help students do well on test day. Students also receive instant feedback and score reports to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses as well as benefit from detailed answer explanations for better understanding of the subject matter. Best of all, students can use the online database’s learning centers anytime, anywhere with their library card.

Visit www.tulsalibrary.org/online-learning to find LearningExpress Library, then login with your last name and TCCL card number. Once logged in, you’ll want to create an account with your email address in order to save work in progress, store score reports and revisit any practice tests, tutorials or eBooks. 

Homework HelpNow

Self-paced tutorials not for you? Boost grades and skills by connecting with live tutors in Homework HelpNow. This database offers live online help from expert tutors in all core subjects. Just select your grade and subject to get connected with a live tutor, available daily from 2-11 p.m. Central Standard Time.

 Need assistance with a college admissions essay? Take advantage of Homework HelpNow’s Writing Lab. Simply send your essay to a tutor and receive a response complete with constructive comments within 24 hours.

Homework HelpNow isn’t just for high school students. Dedicated to the unique needs of an adult population, the Adult Learning Center offers a comprehensive and integrated suite of services, including GED prep, a 24/7 Writing Lab, Live Tutoring, Skills Building, Career Resources, U.S. Citizenship Prep, Microsoft Office Essential Skills Series and a 24/7 Question Center.

Visit www.tulsalibrary.org/homeworkhelp today to get started. Don’t forget to download the app to access live tutoring, homework tracker and flashcards on the go!

For more information on TCCL’s resources and programming, call the AskUs Hotline, 918.549.7323 or visit www.tulsalibrary.org.

Policy Change for 2021-22 School Year Expedites Process to Save Educators, Families, Students Time

ACT, the nonprofit developer of the ACT test, announced plans to increase accessibility to the ACT test for students with disabilities by streamlining accommodations eligibility requirements. ACT will approve allowable accommodations already included in students’ Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 plans.

Beginning with the 2021-22 testing year, students who already receive accommodations at their school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act will automatically be eligible to receive the allowable testing accommodations when they register for the ACT with accommodations.

The IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act contain rigorous requirements that public schools must follow in determining who is an eligible student with a disability and what accommodations eligible students need to access their education. This includes what accommodations are needed to access classroom and standardized tests, like the ACT test.

“Students with disabilities already face many barriers in their lives, and we don’t want the accommodations process for taking the ACT to be one of them,” said ACT CEO Janet Godwin. “This policy change simplifies and expedites the process for requesting accommodations, so that students can focus on learning all that they can in school and showing what they know on test day.”

In conjunction with the policy change, ACT is updating its system for requesting accommodations to require less information and documentation to support requests submitted on behalf of students with a current IEP or 504 plan.

“By aligning to a standard that is already applied in schools where the majority of our students with accommodations are learning, we simplify and expedite the process for students, families, and educators,” said ACT Senior Director of Accessibility Katie Featherston.

While this change benefits the majority of students who test with accommodations, ACT will continue to offer accommodations to test-takers who do not have a current IEP or 504 plan. The organization will continue to use the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standard to determine whether there is a “physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity” and whether the requested accommodations are reasonable for the ACT test.  

More information about the policy change and process for requesting accommodations can be found here: www.act.org/the-act/accomms.

1.Taking stock of core values.

When I meet with a student the first time, in addition to learning as much as possible about their goals, accomplishments and interests, I always ask them to complete a quick core values exercise from the “College Essay Guy" Ethan Sawyer's book, College Admission Essentials.  His exercise is a terrific tool for encouraging students to really dig deep and understand themselves and their motivations, and to better assess what sort of campus and student population most inspires them.  

Obviously, to select a campus that most speaks to their values, they must be able to articulate their core values. It's important for colleges to know their applicants' core values as well, to help determine if students will thrive in a particular setting which supports values that are school specific. 

Once students have identified their core values and have had time to reflect upon them, it will provide a foundation for their applications, from the essays to the short answers. Ideally, the college application journey instills growth and self-awareness, so what better activity is there than identifying one's core values at the outset?

2. How do you talk to students (and parents) about debt? 

Regarding student debt, I steer clear of lending specific advice about the ins and outs of financial aid, given that I am not a financial advisement expert. However, I encourage families to seriously consider seeking merit aid and to conduct a thorough search about various scholarships that can offset exorbitant college costs. Personally, I don't think it's wise to saddle students with heaps of student debt.  Former students have literally begged me to share this message with parents and students--that debt can be a crippling impediment after college. Of course, I also believe that the best investment that one can make is to get an education, but students must look at their long- range goals.  

One student, for example, with whom I have worked for years now, was accepted to an extraordinarily elite, Ivy League college, but her family would not have qualified for any financial aid. Ultimately, she made the decision to attend an excellent state university instead, where she earned a full ride and graduated with not a penny of debt, a factor which is helpful now that she is applying to medical schools.  

She wisely chose to compromise on perceived prestige and the debt that came with it in undergraduate studies for excellent research and mentoring opportunities and zero debt at a well-respected state university. Of course, each family needs to conduct soul searching and make wise, informed choices that are best for them.

3. What are some ways that students can save on college? 

One way that students can save money is to defray their living costs, since that is, after all, a sizeable portion of college costs. I have known many students who have served as Residence Hall Assistants, for example, to earn their room and board. 
Again, many academic merit scholarships will help defray these costs, too. Some students choose to live at home, which can certainly defray costs, especially if students work hard to actively engage in campus activities. Some students find that community colleges and early certification programs better suit their goals, whereas others want the full campus experience.  Again, doing comprehensive research about opportunities can lead to surprising results.  

4. What are the main things high school students should be doing during their four years to put them in the best position to go to college -- or to get into the school they want?

Ideally, to set themselves up for great opportunities down the road, I strongly encourage students to have a four-year plan of study. Colleges want to admit students who are well prepared to meet with success, and the best way to prepare to excel in college is to take the most rigorous coursework available and make the best grades possible.  Naturally, the school counselor can be of help in charting this path, which varies from school to school, based upon available resources.

Programs such as the International Baccalaureate Program (IB) offer exceptionally rigorous coursework, but not all schools offer IB. AP coursework can offer such rigor as well. Additionally, courses such as debate and Art History offer excellent opportunities for growth, in addition to all the important core subjects in mathematics science, history, and language arts. Three, if not four, years of a foreign language is also significantly important. In short, the best grades possible in the most rigorous coursework available is the rule!

5. What are some of the main misconceptions, myths or mistakes high school students have when it comes to choosing colleges or universities? What about “name brand” schools?

Regarding misconceptions and name brand schools, I always encourage students and parents to consider all their options.  Often, the concept of prestige is an imaginary one based upon myth instead of reality; however, that also depends upon the student's long-range goals.  I encourage students to look at the mentoring they will receive, the teacher/ student ratios, job or graduate school placement services, access to professors, and many other factors. Really, success depends upon what students do with their opportunities, how they self- advocate, and how they distinguish themselves, wherever they go.   Sometimes, students have the misconception that must attend a highly prestigious college to meet with success later on. That's simply not true! 

6.  What are the main things students should consider when deciding on colleges?

In the past two years, students have begun to pay more attention to location of campus and campus size of population, with good reason.  Many of the students I know (and their parents) like to be within a day's drive of home, for emergency purposes. Also, I encourage students to consider smaller campuses as well, since smaller campuses can be more adaptable in emergency situations. 

Many small schools offer unique features that larger universities cannot. For example, at Colorado College and Cornell College, students take only one class every three weeks. Other colleges offer specific study abroad programs or mentoring opportunities, thanks to their partnerships with the colleges abroad.  
I would suggest that students look at the Colleges That Change Lives consortium to learn about unique opportunities that they may not have previously considered without extensive research. Students should also look carefully at their prospective college towns. Some students are more comfortable in rural areas and smaller college towns, whereas others prefer schools closer to larger metropolitan areas for internship and recreational pursuits. Some students want the "Greek experience" whereas others do not. Location and also weather are important considerations in helping students limit their choices as they consider their new college homes. 

7.  What other advice do you have for students? 

More than anything, I would encourage students to approach the college search with open-mindedness and thoroughly research their opportunities, knowing that there is no such thing as a "perfect school." In the application process, I encourage students to create their most authentic, quality application possible, make wise application choices, enlist a team of people who will help them achieve their goals, and then trust the process. I also encourage younger students to think ahead by taking rigorous coursework and making excellent grades and set themselves up for future opportunities!  

Finally, a note about extracurricular engagement and exploring meaningful interests.

In preparation for becoming a competitive scholarship and college applicant, students are wise to discover and fully explore their interests by engaging in meaningful extracurricular pursuits and work. Rather than attempting to build a superficial checklist of clubs joined, why not assess gifts and interests and create meaningful service projects to benefit others, while exploring career opportunities? 

For example, if a student loves to read, why not support literacy causes, book drives, book clubs, and teaching and encouraging reading to younger students? If a student is artistic, why not make creations and auction them to benefit arts in the schools? If a student loves to golf, why not join or start a First Tee Chapter, which encourages mentoring and extends golfing opportunities to students who might otherwise not have access to golf? If a student is considering Pre-Med, why not take CPR lessons, organize and work at a Red Cross Blood Bank, volunteer (or work) at a local nursing home or community health fairs, and earn a CNA license? Opportunities for meaningful service and career exploration abound. It all circles back to clarifying core values. 

Depth more than breadth is key as is enthusiasm and purpose! 

Jennifer Stark Fry is a former high school teacher, IB coordinator and current college consultant.

A dynamic, regional university with about 3,600 students, Rogers State University provides the complete college experience where students can live on campus, participate in a myriad of student activities, or enjoy the thrill of NCAA Division II athletics — all while earning a degree from one of RSU’s many high-quality academic programs. 

RSU offers bachelor’s and associate degree programs in Oklahoma’s top 10 fastest growing industries. These include traditional programs such as health
care, business administration, applied technology, psychology and sociology, communications, humanities, criminal justice and nursing, as well as emerging fields such as esports, game development and environmental conservation. 

Many students from northeast Oklahoma who plan to attend medical school complete their undergraduate studies through RSU’s program in medical/molecular biology. RSU’s nursing program, including its online RN-to-BSN program, is among the best in Oklahoma. 

Students work closely with faculty members who mentor their academic progress and professional development. RSU attracts high-achieving students through its rigorous Honors Program and the President’s Leadership Class (PLC). Additionally, students can participate in international study-at-large programs that provide opportunities to see the world, learn about other cultures and enrich their educational experiences. 

RSU also offers graduate education through its master of business administration, now available entirely online at one of the most affordable rates in the region. 

Rogers State offers conveniently located campuses in Claremore, Bartlesville and Pryor (at the MidAmerica Industrial Park) alongside its nationally recognized online program that provides classes that meet any schedule. RSU is the only public four-year university in the Tulsa metro with on-campus housing. 

Hillcat Athletics compete as members of the NCAA Division II in baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, and track and field, as well as competitive cheer and dance. RSU offers esports (competitive video gaming) as a university-sponsored activity, and RSU is one of the only schools in the nation to offer a bachelor’s degree and minor in esports. 

The university consistently ranks among the nation’s leaders for graduates who earn diplomas with the least amount of debt. In fact, last year, almost half
of RSU’s graduating class earned their degree without student debt thanks to RSU’s affordable tuition combined with public and private student aid. 

The Common Application makes it easy to apply to many colleges at the same time, but that doesn’t mean that you should.  Do you really want to apply to 50 colleges just because you can? While the economy is driving the increased enrollment rates in state colleges and universities, for the past five years too many private schools have had to worry about the students who say they want to come but don’t make it through the doors when school starts. It’s better to do your homework first, then apply to colleges that fit you, your budget and your goals.

And the colleges want to find a good fit as well.

According to David Hawkins, the National Association of College Admission Counseling’s director of public policy and research, “For the last five years, we have noticed a distinct tendency for colleges to attribute more weight or emphasis to an applicant’s interest in attending that particular school.”

Get the facts before you apply. Build lists, like the following, to help narrow down your choices, so when an admissions representative asks you, “Why is our school right for you?” you’ll have the answer ready.

School Shopping

1. Start with “you,” not the colleges.
2. Which schools will let you thrive? What special programs do they offer?
3. Are they known for majors in your interest areas?
4. Do you like one geographic climate better than another?
5. Large or small? State university or private? What’s the difference?
6. There may be several “best” schools for you, but none a perfect fit.
7. Don’t under-reach, yet don’t get bogged down in where you think you should apply. It’s not the school, but what you do once you’re there that makes you successful. 
8. What is your budget? 

Don’t be a “stealth” candidate who just sends in an application. Visit the campuses and ask questions, if possible. If you can’t visit, go to the college’s website, read student blogs, read websites that rank, compare and describe different colleges and universities.

While this is a list to start you down the path, you’ll likely find other lists—from priorities to itineraries to GPS globe-trekkings. Build all the lists you need to reach your ultimate goal—knowing why each school could be the best one for you—before building that final, important short list. Colleges like to know you’ve visited their campuses, researched them and found things that are important to you. 

“The academic profiles of two students being even, we will choose the one who has shown us the most interest,” said Tom Delahunt, former vice president of admissions and financial aid at Drake University in Iowa and current vice president for strategic enrollment at Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX.

There’s nothing easy about applying to and preparing for college. Thankfully, there are many apps that can make the process a little bit easier. Here are 6 of the very best ones. They’re all free, so encourage your kids to download them when they’re getting ready to start the journey. 

SAT: Practice, Prep, Flashcards

Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play
The college admissions process starts when they take the SAT - the most widely used admissions test across the U.S. There are many SAT apps available; one of the best is the award-winning SAT: Practice, Prep, Flashcards. The app includes full-length practice tests, lots of individual questions from the different subject areas, and an extensive database of flashcards to study with. Your kids can track their progress over time and get analyses of their strengths and weaknesses.

College Search Guide

Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play
The next step in the process is to find colleges that suit your kids’ interests and preferences. Many helpful apps exist; the most comprehensive one is the aptly named College Search Guide, which lets them search almost all of the 7,000 colleges in the U.S. They can search by type of college, degrees offered, campus environment, cost, acceptance rates, distance from home, and a long list of other variables. The app also has a list of the top 100 colleges across many categories.   

YouVisit Colleges

Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play
Once they’ve narrowed down the search, it’s great to visit the colleges they’re most excited about to really get a sense of what these colleges have to offer. When that’s not possible, or if they just want to get a basic idea of what a certain college looks like, download YouVisit Colleges. This app lets them virtually tour more than 500 colleges across the U.S. These include some of the most prestigious universities in the country and many less competitive colleges. 

Scholarships.com

Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play
For most parents the biggest concern isn’t which college to send their kids to but how to find the money for it. After all, college tuition is getting higher and higher every year. The largest and most widely used scholarship app is Scholarship.com. It has a database of more than 3.7 million scholarships and is continuously expanded and updated. Your kids list their academic interests and accomplishment and are then matched with scholarships for which they’re eligible to apply. They can also search for scholarships on their own based on a long list of criteria.  

My Study Life

Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play
Once your kids arrive at college, it’s important that they stay organized and on top of everything they need to do. First task: download My Study Life. This easy-to-use app lets them keep track of all their homework assignments and exams for their classes, which will help them use their time as effectively as possible. They can also use the app to set reminders to themselves, so that they get alerts before any particular task is due.

Mint: Personal Finance & Money

Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play
Finally, it’s worth remembering that for many kids college is the first time in their lives they really get to experience what it’s like to care of themselves, and that includes budgeting their money. If you don’t want them to call you every time they run out of money, encourage them to download Mint: Personal Finance & Money. This popular money-management app lets them track their expenses, see the balances on their checking and savings accounts,and create realistic budgets. They can also use the app to pay and track bills and to receive reminders. 

Tanni Haas, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences and Disorders at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College.

Northeastern State University is the state’s higher education destination for experiential and immersive learning. Here, students are able to develop their skills through hands-on research, community service, clinical experiences, performances, internships and other opportunities. This built-in immersive learning platform provides students with workforce- ready skills and valuable networking connections that contribute to their careers and lives after graduation. 

BENEFITING STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS. 

The hands-on nature of immersive learning provides students with professional problem-solving opportunities in a developmental academic environment. They are able to practice in their area of study before they even enter the job market. This also allows students to better understand what kind of work they might do in their future profession. Experiential learning also assists employers looking to hire new professionals who already have a growing skill set in a particular field. The practice of immersive learning helps connect students to their future goals. 

RESEARCH, SERVICE AND INTERNSHIPS. 

Real-word experience is at the center of NSU degree programs. Research, service and internship opportunities equip NSU students with workforce-ready skills when their time on campus is over. From hands-on clinicals in Optometry, Physician Assistant Studies, Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology programs to industry and field immersion in the performing arts, education, natural sciences, business and technology, and social sciences—there is an opportunity for every student to practice immersive and experiential learning, including research. 

THE NSU ADVANTAGE. 

These opportunities not only enrich students’ time on campus, they prepare students for their future occupations. Even employers are able to partner with NSU to give students short-term, on-the-job training through experiential learning. This partnership with NSU Career Services helps connect students to job opportunities after graduation. 

With immersive and experiential learning at the core of NSU’s everyday mission, students can be assured that earning a degree from NSU truly does enable them to gather here and go far. For more information, visit Go2NSU.com. 

“I get the feeling that they’re not reading their e-mail—they certainly don’t answer it!”

“They don’t show up to meet me when I visit. It’s as though they are avoiding any personal contact!”

“They hide behind their phones—the only way I can make any contact is through a text, and even then sometimes they won’t answer.”

“I have tried everything! I just can’t figure out how to reach them and make a personal connection! Face-to-face communication is all-important, but they just don’t seem to get that!”

 These are common laments—not from parents or grandparents in this case— but from college admission representatives, often young twenty-somethings who are, ironically, generationally not distant in age from the very high school students they are assigned to recruit, but distant in light years with respect to the necessity of personal engagement and communication skills inherent in the college admissions process and the awarding of scholarships.

Texting has become the primary mode of communication for teenagers. While texting is convenient for messaging friends and family, it is not a substitute for the interpersonal communications that the college application and selection process demands. Additionally, each student must somehow rise above the huge numbers of academically qualified applicants, especially at competitive colleges and universities. Technology has allowed students to apply to several schools with just the stroke of a key, so it’s more important than ever to practice some “soft skills” to show your interest. College admission representatives struggle to discern between authentically interested applicants and the “casual” applicants, and the advent of a preference for texting over more effective forms of interpersonal communication only complicates the communication process, hence the latest buzzword in college admissions—demonstrated interest.

Students (and their parents) are thus wise to practice effective communication skills and to demonstrate their interest in schools as they engage in the college search and application process.  Wise applicants actively demonstrate interest in several ways, such as the following:

Read all e-mail and respond promptly with courtesy, in a friendly yet businesslike tone, conscious of proper e-mail formatting and grammatical conventions.

Attend local, regional, and (if possible) national college fairs, not only to learn about the wealth of options for possible colleges to attend but to meet the college admission representatives and make personal contact.  Always be sure to complete their official forms for more information, and remember that colleges definitely keep track of official contacts and look at those contacts as an expression of demonstrated interest.

Attend lunchtime, advocacy-time, or afterschool visits with college admission representatives when they visit high schools. Many high schools regularly host such visits, which are often not well-attended. Students should check their school’s website for a list of such visits, and seize the opportunity to make a personal connection with the college admission representatives in attendance. After the presentation, students should definitely take the initiative to shake hands and warmly thank the representatives for their time, express personal interest in what they had to say, pose intelligent questions, and, in general, exercise their interpersonal skills.

After meeting personally, or to establish a relationship if a personal meeting is not possible,  initiate contact with a meaningful e-mail query and a brief expression of thanks for their time, again, using all the conventions of proper e-mail, including grammatical conventions and courteous, friendly, business-like tone.

Make formal visits to campuses, and take the official tours of each campus. Check each college’s website for details about visitation schedules and procedures. Again, in-person visits provide an opportunity for students to actively engage with not only admission officers, but with financial aid officers, heads of departments, academic advisors, professors, and students, which not only helps students determine whether a particular school is a great fit, but lays the groundwork for important relationships which may eventually play important roles in admission decisions and the awarding of scholarships.

Send formal, handwritten thank-you notes after visiting, interviewing for admission or scholarships, or any time that university officials extend courtesy. Most students do not take the time to write thank-you notes, so students who do stand out from the crowd even more!

Most importantly, students and parents must realize that demonstrated interest, inherently necessary in the college admission process, provides a meaningful opportunity to acquire all-important interpersonal communication skills that serve students well beyond their college years. In the words of one college admission representative, “Remember that college admission representatives are people too! We appreciate common courtesy, and after all, we are the ones making the decisions about admissions and scholarships!” 

While the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is part of the student’s application, parents are often helpful partners in filling out the form.
While many parents wonder if they make too much money to even bother to fill out the FAFSA, families should make the effort. Yes, families earning less than $50,000 annually can get federal grants, but the FAFSA is also used by colleges to award need-based aid to families making much more. “Need” can be a relative term. Even if you make $200,000, the college your child is planning to attend may cost $80,000 a year, so your student may be awarded a scholarship or grant based on your family’s income compared with the cost of the college. 
In addition, if you have more than one child in college, you may benefit. Some colleges may use the FAFSA to award merit scholarships as well. 
To start the process, go to fafsa.gov. This is the official site, and it will walk you through the process. You can save information and go back in as you go through the form. If a parent and the student are both inputting information, both will need Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID accounts.
The FAFSA form is available beginning October 1, so don’t wait to fill it out. Many funds are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, so it is to your benefit to fill out the form as soon as possible.

Types of College Funding

With college costs rising, parents are often faced with sticker shock when they see how much tuition, room and board will cost. Educationdata.org reports that parents are saving more for college – nearly $2,118 more in the last five years – it is still not covering the cost of sending a child to college. Parents can research funding sources to supplement, as well as visit with college and university financial officers to learn about specific programs. Financial aid options generally fall into the following four categories. 

Grants. A grant does not need to be repaid and are typically based on financial need. Sources for grants may be the federal or state government, private funding or the college itself. Students need to be aware of the regulations surrounding grants regarding course load, withdrawing from school or increased funding from other sources.

Scholarships. Like grants, scholarships do not need to be repaid. Many types of scholarships exist such as academic, athletic, artistic, community service or other areas of merit. Some scholarships may be based on a qualified student’s need combined with merit, or just straight merit award. High school counselors often keep files of national, state and local scholarships. It pays to research the types of scholarships available.

Loans. As with any loan, college loans must be paid back with interest, which varies depending on the type of loan. Federal government college loans offer low interest rates and flexible terms. Private loans offered by banks tend to cost more.

Work Study. Students may work to help offset the cost of college. The Federal Work Study program enables students to work part-time on campus as a form of financial aid. Thousands of institutions have work study programs, so talk to the college or university financial aid counselor about the program.

Oklahoma’s Promise

If your child is in eighth, ninth or tenth or 11th grade, they may be eligible for free tuition at any of Oklahoma’s public colleges and universities. If your child plans to attend an accredited private college or university in Oklahoma, part of the tuition may be covered as well.

Oklahoma’s Promise was created in 1992 by the Oklahoma State Legislature to help families send their children to college. It is administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. 

To be eligible for the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship, the following requirements must be met:

• Must be an Oklahoma resident.
• Must enroll in the eight, ninth or tenth or 11th grade.
• The parents' federal adjusted gross income must not exceed $60K per year.

Homeschooled students are also eligible if they meet the scholarship requirements.

For an application or for more information, go to www.okhighered.org/okpromise, call 800.858.1840 or email okpromise@osrhe.edu.

Tulsa Achieves

Tulsa Achieves is Tulsa Community College’s (TCC) program that will pay up to 100 percent of tuition and mandatory fees for up to 63 college credit hours. 

To receive a Tulsa Achieves scholarship, a student must live in Tulsa County and be graduating from a public or private high school with a 2.0 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale. Home-schooled students are also eligible with parent verification.

Once enrolled, students must maintain good academic standing (minimum 2.0 GPA), enroll continuously each fall and spring, complete a FAFSA each year and provide 40 hours of community service during each academic year.

For more information, go to any TCC campus, call 595-7834 or visit www.tulsacc.edu.

TULSA TECH SCHOLARSHIPS 

Tulsa Tech offers a variety of scholarships for qualified individuals. Some of the opportunities include Accelerating Independence Scholarship, Tulsa Works Scholarship, Career and Technology Student Organization Scholarship, Financial Needs Scholarship, Junior Achievement Scholarship, Pathways Scholarship, Military Tuition Waiver, Oklahoma Army & Air national Guard Tuition Waivers, Partner School Scholarship and Tulsa Tech Education Foundation Scholarship. Some of these programs offer free tuition, while others are partial scholarships. Qualifications vary, but students must fill out the FAFSA. Go to Tulsatech.edu/admissions-and-financial-aid for more information. 

These are just some of the programs available to students. Students should visit with their high school counselors to discuss the variety of scholarship and financial aid opportunities available to them. 

1. Don’t try to impress the admissions officer—just tell the truth. 

Being impressive is a good thing. But when you try too hard, you write the same stories as thousands of other students (it’s hard to overstate how many essays I read about the valuable lessons learned from sports, community service, or leadership positions). If you really want to stand out, tell the truth. Do you love your 1992 Dodge Dart more than life itself? Do you work weekends at a hamburger stand and claim to make the best burger in a 50‐mile radius? Those things are interesting. Share them. The colleges want to know. 

2. Make ordinary stories unordinary. 

You don’t need to have scaled Everest or invented plutonium to tell a story nobody else could tell. Your experience playing basketball or taking art classes or working at a shoe store are not the same as other students’ experiences. Tell the parts of the story that are uniquely yours. Inject as much detail as you possibly can. And keep asking yourself, “Could someone else applying to college tell the same story?” If so, do one of two things—add more detail, or pick a different story. 

3. Don’t repeat information from the rest of your application. 

I know you’re proud of what you listed, but the essay is your chance to share something new about you. So, if you listed football in your activities section, don’t write an essay explaining what it means to be on the football team. You can write about something you’ve already mentioned but share the parts your reader doesn’t know about yet. That keeps the material fresh and your tired reader interested. 

4. Sound like you. 

You’re not writing an essay for your English class. The college essay is an informal piece of writing. It should sound like you. If you would never say, “Hence, my winning of elections has become quite an inveterate occurrence,” please don’t write it in your essay. No quotes from famous people. No words you can’t define, spell or pronounce. I’m not suggesting you should compose something that reads like a text message. But colleges want to get to know you better. Let them hear your voice through your writing. 

5. Parents, steer clear of the essays.

Parents are often the worst judges of their kids’ essays for the best of reasons—you love your student too much to be an impartial observer (the American Medical Association’s “Code of Medical Ethics” advises against doctors treating their own children for similar reasons). Colleges want to read the stories from the perspective of the teens who experienced them. And it was always obvious to me and to my colleagues when too many of the ideas came from Mom or Dad. 

Kevin founded Collegewise in 1999 and did all the counseling himself for the first 18 months. He is the author of If the U Fits: Expert Advice on Finding the Right College and Getting Accepted, and pens at least one entry every day on the Collegewise blog. A graduate of UC Irvine with majors in English and history where he answered, “What will you do with THOSE majors?” approximately 783 times, Kevin also has a college counseling certificate from UCLA.

By any measure, Southwestern Oklahoma State University with campus locations in Weatherford, Sayre and Yukon is considered by many to be the home of one of Oklahoma’s best universities. 

SWOSU boasts one of the most diverse selections of academic college course options and the university is top rated in affordability. As always, SWOSU is dedicated to providing its students with a quality education while preparing them for the career of their dreams.

• SWOSU is known for its quality programs. The university has 14 nationally-accredited academic programs—most among all Oklahoma regional universities. 
• SWOSU has a nationally-known College of Pharmacy, great teacher education programs, School of Business, allied health programs, nursing and engineering technology programs. 
• SWOSU has the feel of a traditional campus in a relatively small city…..many activities/events always going on at SWOSU. 
• SWOSU has students from all 77 Oklahoma counties, 39 different states and 35 countries.
• SWOSU is affordable…. if you look at how SWOSU compares across the nation to colleges that are similar in size and mission, it costs almost $3,000 less per academic year to attend SWOSU.
• SWOSU is home to the impressive Pioneer Cellular Event Center, which features a variety of activities including concerts, conferences, trade shows, athletic events, tournaments and more. The center also serves as home for the SWOSU men's and women's basketball teams and women's volleyball squad.
• SWOSU is very accessible, located on Interstate 40, less than one hour west of the Oklahoma City metro area. Access is convenient for commuters and traditional students. 
• The City of Weatherford was named the Safest City in Oklahoma! (Source: 2019 Report from the National Council for Home Safety and Security)

A college education offers numerous benefits to young people, such as increased job opportunities, better health benefits, more job satisfaction and a higher salary, as well as the personal growth and confidence that comes from a solid education. In addition to these benefits, Students at the College of the Muscogee Nation (CMN) experience a Native-based curriculum, small class sizes, and guidance from a Native perspective. 

To prepare students for success in college, CMN’s Student Success Center Outreach Program provides high school students with information on financial aid and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFS). In addition, students can learn how concurrent enrollment in college classes and advanced placement courses will allow them to earn college credit while still in high school. Students are also encouraged to take the ACT and/or SAT early and often, and to take advantage of test preparation opportunities at school, libraries or online. Attending career fairs and participating in academic counseling will help students shape a post-high school vision. 

An outreach program of CMN, the Student Success Center provides a positive environment for students to express their concerns and share their interests during their educational experiences. Staff members mentor students in becoming informed with CMN’s core value Fvtcetv (Integrity) by empowering them to make effective decisions throughout their college career.

The Student Success Center offers the following services:

• Academic Advisement
• Career Counseling
• Retention Support
• ACT Residual Testing
• Community Outreach 
• Tutoring
• Placement Testing

The College of the Muscogee Nation prepares and supports students as they navigate college planning and beyond. The stated mission of the CMN Student Success Center is that it “will assist CMN students in completing their higher education goals by enhancing academic skills through services, programs, and culture. By incorporating Muscogee values, the center offers guidance and support in all areas of college life.”

To learn more about the College of Muscogee Nation and the Student Success Center, please visit www.cmn.edu; call or email 918.549.2832; mlewis@cmn.edu.