boulder college consultant - College Admission Counseling

Are You A First Generation College Student?

Jared Hobson — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:23:32 +0000

Will you be the first in your family to go to college? If so, then you are a first generation student.
As you go to fill out your college applications this fall you may notice that many schools ask this question of their applicants. Colleges have started collecting this information for a variety of reasons. A recent article in the NY Times Tips for First-Generation College Applicants explains that many colleges are looking for a diverse student body and for students who are coming from different backgrounds. As such, numerous colleges have begun to track this statistic. Therefore, it is worth filling out this often “optional” question on the college application if it applies to you.
As well, some colleges may offer scholarships for first generation students or additional support services. Many colleges want to help these students find the opportunities that their family before them did not have. The article also advises that different colleges have varying definitions of first-generation status so it is worth confirming with your college what their definition is.

Great College Advice

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This is The Time To Work On Honors Program and Leadership Program Applications

Jared Hobson — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:09:40 +0000

Just when you thought you were finished with college applications this is the time of year when honors programs and leadership programs typically will encourage you to submit their separate applications. Many of these programs have deadlines between January and March and you don’t want to miss the opportunity to participate.

In a past post I discussed the value of participating in an honors program . Honors programs and leadership programs are a fantastic way to surround yourself with other high achieving and motivated students. This is the perfect moment to spend a little time researching in detail about the kinds of programs that the colleges offer and if you are qualified for them.

You may also want to look at and consider the following:

– What is their admission criteria for acceptance into the program?
– How many students are admitted into the program?
– What are the benefits to participation (Do you get priority registration, small classes, special living opportunities, etc)?
– If not accepted for your first year can you apply later on in college?
– Are there special classes or evening commitments involved?
– Does the program apply to all majors?
– Do you get access to additional advising opportunities?
– Do you need to live with other honors students to participate?

Take this time to learn about the honors opportunities for talented students at the college of your choice and then start working on those applications!
Good luck!

The post This is The Time To Work On Honors Program and Leadership Program Applications first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

Yield Initiatives By Colleges, What Will Entice You?

Jared Hobson — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 20:57:13 +0000

Yield. That is a big word for college admissions offices in the spring. Once admission decisions have gone out the door and into the hands of anxious students it is the college’s turn to be anxious. They want to make their freshman class. They want you, the students, to confirm your enrollment by May 1.
When I worked at the University of Colorado Boulder Office of Admissions one of my responsibilities was to coordinate yield initiatives. These included mailings, visit programs, and special targeted messages to accepted students. A lot of time was spent thinking about how to help the accepted students choose to attend and what they would enjoy.
So, as you wait on admissions decisions, or decide which college to choose, take note of their special strategies to entice you. Sometimes, these don’t even come directly from admissions, they may be from alumni or current students. They may come in the form of a letter, email, t-shirt, visit invitation, or perhaps a video song like the ones below.
So, as you wait to hear from your colleges, check out these two favorite “why choose our college” videos for fun:

That’s Why I Chose Yale and

Remember oUR Name (U. of Rochester) .
Enjoy!

Great College Advice

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Drake University – Great Internship Options Through Local Graduates and Businesses

Jared Hobson — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:00:12 +0000

When considering colleges, it is always important to think about getting that practical experience. Internships during college are a great way to test out the fields you are interested. One of the best ways to get an internship during college is to connect with someone who graduated from the university you are attending and works in the field you are pursuing. During a recent visit to Drake University, in Des Moines Iowa, I had a chance to learn a little bit about how their proximity to Des Moines, and their large local alumni base, helps students get internships.
I also talked to two current students about why they chose to attend Drake University. One student mentioned their great business program and the other student mentioned the excitement around Drake Relays.
p.s. Apologies for the sound of traffic in the background of the video!
p.p.s Three guesses of the Drake mascot? I tried to find as many bulldogs as possible during my visit.

Great College Advice

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Ready to Submit Your Common Application? Why You Should Preview it First!

Jared Hobson — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 20:09:48 +0000

You have filled in your biographical information, your educational information, and your academic information. You have uploaded your essays and filled out all of your activities and honors. Ready to hit the submit button? Wait just one minute.[ad id=12335]
Don’t forget to proofread. Proofread again. Then, have someone else proofread for you.
Just when you feel like you can’t proofread it anymore, just when you feel that you are ready to hit that submit button, take one last step. Did you know the Common Application provides the opportunity to view a pdf of your completed application before it is submitted? Just click the pdf button at the top of the page and look through your work in this format.
Once in a while, you may catch something you didn’t catch before. Viewing in this format will allow you to see if any of your sentences are being cut off (something that is difficult to view in the boxes in the application itself) and see how the application will actually look to an admissions officer. You will also be able to make sure that your essay ,and any additional information that you want to submit, was actually uploaded and see how it will appear as part of the application.
When you hit the submit button, you can’t take it back. So, just make you have taken plenty of time to review it before sending it off.
Great College Advice

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Leave That Texting Lingo To Your Phone When Writing Your College Essay

Jared Hobson — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 18:18:09 +0000

When working in admissions it used to drive me crazy when I saw students emailing me using shorthand texting lingo. Emails full of smiley faces, LOL, and TTYL. Then, even worse, it started to seep into their college essays.
Now, as an educational consultant I try to remind my students that while shorthand is great for text conversations, colleges are looking to see your actual writing skills. While it may be easier to use an “&” than actually spell out “and”, to the reader it may seem as though you are just trying to save time and aren’t really taking their essay seriously.
While your college essay doesn’t have to read like a paper for your AP class, you should still take the time to use proper punctuation, capitalization of letters, and avoid the slang you use daily on your phone and social media.
Of course, when it comes to college admissions, there always seems to be an exception. This is no different. Some colleges this year are specifically asking short answer questions on their supplement requesting they be written like a Twitter post in a maximum of 150 characters. You may need some shorthand there…
Happy writing!

Great College Advice

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More High School Students Taking Gap Years

Jared Hobson — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 16:28:48 +0000

Have you ever considered taking a gap year? If so, you are not alone.
Trends demonstrate that an increasing number of high school students are deciding not to head directly to college. A recent article in Time shows that about 1.2% of first time college freshman chose to defer enrollment for a year. These students are taking part in a variety of experiences such as volunteer programs and study abroad.
Gap year programs may be a great option for students who need some time before transitioning from high school to college. That extra year may allow some students time for growth and maturity, opportunity to give back to communities in need, increase their cultural awareness, or simply take the time to de-stress from a hectic senior year of high school and the college admissions process before facing life in college.
For for more information check out some of our recent blog posts including: How to Find a “Good” Gap Year Program , What is a Gap Year and Why Should I Consider Taking One? and To Gap Year or Not?

Great College Advice

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Seniors, Are You Ready For May 1st?

Jared Hobson — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:07:10 +0000

We are closing in quickly on the May 1, national confirmation deadline for colleges and universities. This is the date that students must let the college or university know that you will be attending. Typically, this requires that you submit a signed confirmation form as well as an enrollment deposit. Often, you can think of this enrollment deposit like a security deposit for a house, it holds your spot.

Are you ready to make your commitment? How are you spending these last few days leading up to May 1 deciding?

– Flipping a coin?
– Trying that t-shirt with the college name on the front on one more time?
– Getting feedback from the people you trust?
– Reading the fine print on the financial aid forms once again?
– Chatting online with current students to get your final questions answered?
– Writing pro and con lists?
Everyone makes their final decision in a different way. My advice? It echoes that of our NACAC 2011 keynote speaker, Jonah Lehrer. Go with your gut.
Go with what your instinct tells you. You’ve visited the campuses, spent the time researching, read all of the brochures, gone on the website hundreds of times and now the time has come to take the next step. Listen to what your gut is telling you and ask yourself, “Will I be happy here?” Is the answer yes? Then sign your name on the dotted line and start getting excited for this new adventure you are about to embark on!

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How Important is Geographic Diversity When Choosing a College?

Jared Hobson — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:33:45 +0000

This winter, the University of Northern Colorado hosted a great program for Colorado counselors to come and learn about their campus. We had the chance to speak with faculty, take a tour, visit the business school, and learn about their admissions process.
The University of Northern Colorado is a midsize university of about 10,000 undergraduate students and 2,000 graduates in Greeley, Colorado. It is a campus dedicated to providing an excellent education at a reasonable cost. In fact, it has the lowest cost of any major university in Colorado. Greeley is a small city about a half hour from Fort Collins and an hour from Denver and is surrounded by farmland (hence the smell of cows you can’t miss upon arrival).
The University of Northern Colorado has some incredible programs to choose from. Its nursing, elementary education, business, performing arts, and athletic training programs are top notch. Add in a beautiful new residence hall that looks like a hotel, a spirited student body (cheer for the Bears) and small class sizes with personal attention and you’ve got a lot of great things to explore. Overall, I was impressed with what UNC had to offer to students and was pleasantly surprised by the caliber and competitiveness of some of their programs and dedication of the faculty and staff with whom I had the chance to interact.
However, as you are looking at colleges one question you may want to ask yourself is – how important is the geographic diversity of a campus? Geographic diversity refers to where the students who attend the college are coming from. For example, at UNC, close to 90% of the students who attend are from the state of Colorado. How do you think this impacts the classroom discussion or life on campus? As you look at colleges you may decide for yourself that you are perfectly happy being surrounded by students who grew up in the same place you did. In addition, you may have a good understanding that even though a majority are from Colorado, a student who grew up in rural eastern CO, the mountains of western CO, and in urban Denver all bring different perspective to the table. It may also prompt you to ask questions about what other types of diversity exist on the campus. For example, while UNC may be lacking in geographic diversity they do offer diversity in another sense. Almost 40% of their students are first generation students meaning they are the first in their family to go to college.
Juniors, as you conduct your college visits this spring and summer don’t forget to ask the tour guide, and yourself, the tough questions!

Great College Advice

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College Bookstores – Not Just for Books Anymore

Jared Hobson — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:12:04 +0000

How many college tours have you been on where the campus tour ended at the bookstore? Did you take the time to go inside and look around?
One of my favorite things to do when visiting a college campus is to visit the college bookstore – not necessarily to buy anything- just to see what they have in stock, how easily accessibly everything is, and to see a little bit of the spirit of the school.
College bookstores have changed significantly over the past few years. While they used to be the go-to spot for text books, many students are now ordering books online through Amazon for cheaper prices, renting textbooks, or purchasing copies on their tablet device. College bookstores have also had a strong hold on college apparel for many years as a place for prospective students to buy the sweatshirt of their dream school or current students to stock up on clothing for the big game…but what else can you find there besides books and clothing?
A recent visit to the University of Colorado’s bookstore had some fun surprises including: pasta, rubik’s cubes, cowboy boots, dog treats and more! In addition, there were art materials, dorm decorations, grill sets, chairs, calendars, computers, snacks, along with all of the textbooks and clothing items.

Take the time to check out the bookstore on your next college visit, you never know what you might find!

Mark Montgomery
Expert Educational Consultant

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