As a mom, it is way too early for me to send my own son to
college. I think we’ll start with
preschool.
But as a high school teacher, I have reassured many parents
as they prepare to help their baby apply for college. Parents often ask me for college suggestions
for their student who is thinking about studying science or engineering. I also help my students with college
applications when they want someone to look over their essays. And I can’t even remember or count how many
college recommendations I have written!
The college application process can be very overwhelming for
students and parents. I have a few
college application tips for parents and teachers who help with the process:
Advice for Parents
and Students:
1. Some of my students
and their parents feel pressured to apply to 20+ colleges! College application fees add up and I always
suggest students stick with less than 10.
Pick a college close to home just in case you decide you don’t want to
go too far. Pick 3 or 4 “reach” colleges,
colleges that the student may or may not get in. Pick 2-3 “mid-range” colleges, colleges that
the student will probably get in and would be happy attending. And pick 2-3 “safety” schools, colleges that
the student would be ok with attending and would very likely get in.
2. Start early! I suggest finishing college application
essays over the summer. The essay seems
to be the hardest part of the application process. Once the essay is done, filling out all the
forms doesn’t take that long. In fact,
almost all of the applications are now online, which makes it even easier.
3. If a college
allows the student to use the common application, use it! It saves the student soooooo much time. So many colleges use the common application
now. This saves students so much time.
4. Before the summer
or right in the beginning of senior year, students need to ask teachers for
recommendations. Some colleges require
more than others, but a good number to aim for is 3. Colleges like to see a math teacher and a
science teacher if the student is applying to a science or engineering
program. They often will also ask for an
English teacher as well! PLEASE, as a
teacher who writes a lot of recommendations, ask your teacher in the first week
of senior year (or very soon after). I
prefer students even ask me before the summer, so I have time to work on them
over the summer!
5. Picking which
teachers to ask for a recommendation is a very important decision. The teacher that gave a student the best
grade he or she has ever received is not necessarily the best teacher to
ask! Pick the teacher who truly knows
the student. Does the teacher see the
student outside of class, in a club, sport, or community activity? Does the teacher truly understand the student’s
strengths, weaknesses, and dreams? Does
the teacher encourage the student to follow his or her dreams? If the answer to these questions is yes, pick
that teacher! If not, look elsewhere.
6. If a teacher, when
asked, suggests that the student pick someone else, follow that teacher’s
advice. DO NOT press a teacher for a
recommendation when that teacher gives a slight indication they are not excited
about writing it! That teacher may have
a negative opinion of the student’s work ethic, a negative memory of the
student’s behavior in class, or maybe the teacher just doesn’t have the time to
dedicate for that particular student! I
have seen this happen when students are desperate, running out of time, and
applying late. They need a
recommendation fast and they ask a teacher who has a) no time to do it or b)
cannot write an excellent recommendation for that student honestly. I have even seen that student pressure the
teacher to write a not-so-good recommendation, just because the student needed
one ASAP. This is why it is so important
to start early. The student does not
want a mediocre recommendation. Every
student wants an excellent recommendation.
7. Provide the
teacher all materials the teacher requests at least 3 weeks before the first
deadline. I have a form that I require
students to fill out that helps me to write the recommendation tailored for
them. Other teachers ask for their
college essay or extra information about their activities outside of
school. Addressed envelopes with stamps
are needed if they are being mailed.
Teachers love it if these envelopes also have a strip to peel off when
sealing it, rather than having to lick/wet the envelope.
8. Students should
definitely write, hand-write, a nice thank-you letter to the teacher who writes
a recommendation letter. Remember, that teachers
don’t get paid for the time they dedicate to writing college
recommendations. I always write personal
letters for each student. I never use a
template. Each letter I write takes me
over an hour, at least. I do it because
I care about my students future. And
getting a thank you note really adds a nice touch. I keep all the letters I get from my
students. They mean more to me than any
gift or the money I could be paid doing something else with my time.
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