How to Build a Relationship with a College
Strategies to Improve Admission Selection
Last year 28,000 students applied for 8,000 admission openings at Boston College. These types of statistics describe a dismal outlook for potential students; however, students can increase their opportunity to be accepted at a college by planning and increasing communication with colleges.
College Admission Counselor Relationship
Colleges designate admission counselors to specific high schools and regions of the country. These counselors are responsible for promoting the college to potential students and families. The counselor also assists the admission department in determining which students are granted admission.
Developing a professional relationship with the admission counselor is essential. To begin, potential students, not the parents, need to contact the college’s admission office. The purpose of the call is to provide an introduction and gain information on the college. Once the initial contact is made by the student, the admission counselor begins a file on that student. The counselor will record any and all communication they have with that student.
Here are some questions to ask in the initial telephone conversation:
- I am interested in possibly applying to your college. How can I learn more about the school?
- Does your school offer tours or high school weekends?
- Is there an opportunity for me to stay overnight in a dorm while visiting?
- Do you have time to review my high school class choices for college preparation?
- What are the admission requirements for admission to your college?
- What is the best way to communicate with you if I have further questions?
Campus Visit
Students who participate on a campus tour are showing colleges their interest in that school. Time and planning are needed to go on a tour, so colleges realize students are investing the time to visit which shows initiative.
Instead of just taking the standard tour, consider requesting an experience tailored to your personal needs. Here are some examples:
- Visiting the college science labs if interested in science majors.
- Meeting department chairs in a certain major.
- Touring all dorms for living considerations.
- Investigating the student activities office to review all clubs and activities available to students.
- Eating in the cafeteria to review food selection available on a daily basis.
- Touring athletic facilities on campus and testing out the equipment for personal use.
- Talking to coaches about a specific athletic opportunity.
Participate on a Campus Summer Program
Many colleges offer special summer programs or camps for high school students. Not only do students gain accelerated information, the colleges gain insight to potential students for their college. For example, Syracuse University offers a summer college program for high school students interested in engineering. During this time student discover the aptitude needed for specific engineering fields, participate in engineering related activities and labs, and go on field trips.
Students that are involved in these summer programs need to register through the college. The registration information will also be sent to the admission office so that an admission counselor can begin/continue building communication with the student. At the same time the instructors of the program are gaining valuable insight on each student participant. This information is also shared with the admission office.
Other Avenues of Communication with the College
Many colleges send recruiters or representatives to high schools for college representative visits. These visits give colleges another method to advertise their college and programming. Students who attend these meetings receive a personal discussion with the recruiter, who will then report student information back to the assigned admission counselor. The college needs to determine the best students for the college and the best students who will succeed at their school. Students need to take advantage of these visits and ask questions to determine if the college is a good fit.
Once students have a established a working relationship with an admission counselor, the communication needs to continue. Students should email or telephone the admission counselor on a regular basis to develop the relationship further. Consider contacting the admission counselor when choosing classes for high school. The counselor can provide insight to the types of classes the college wants high school students to have prior to enroll at their school.
Another type of discussion to have with the counselor is a check in every school term. This conversation will help the counselor understand what direction the student is headed, but at the same time the student can gain insight to elements of admission to work on for the next school term.
Remember that colleges are often bombarded with student applications every year. Most applicants have not had formal and/or continuous communication with the admission office. Counselors need to try to determine the students who both fit and will be successful at the college. They can determine this by getting to know students on a more personal level. Students who precipitate this relationship will be able to demonstrate to the college their level of commitment and determination to succeed at the college.
Building Relationships
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