|
College Application Season is Over. Now What?
How to keep students engaged and ready for postsecondary education.
By: Lisa King, director, ACAC
ACT conducted this written interview with Keith Ritchie, assistant director of outreach services at Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority, to develop this article.
Keith Ritchie, assistant director of outreach services at Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority, knows plenty about student support and engagement as someone who works directly with schools throughout the state of Kentucky on their school college campaigns, including Cumberland County High School, which was a School of Excellence recipient — an award that honors schools that demonstrate commitment to student success. Ritchie and his team were key contributors to ACAC’s mission of increasing the number of first-generation college students and students from low-income families who pursue a postsecondary degree or other higher education credentials.
When college application season ends and campaigns are over, it’s easy for students, families, teachers, and counselors to wind down as they look forward to a new semester, the holiday break, and a new year. And when that new year rolls around, it can be challenging to get back in the swing of things. However, this time is crucial to keep students engaged in their college-going activities and maintain that momentum and excitement for their future. Some students may have yet to complete any applications by this time, and some are anxiously awaiting college decisions.
We sat down with Ritchie to get his take on how he keeps the interest levels high with his students, what to do to encourage them, and how to provide the assistance they need.
Q: Coming into the new year, college application season is over. How does this affect how you interact with and connect with your students — particularly seniors — after the application rush?
A: After the application rush in the fall, our focus shifts toward financial aid and comparing awards offered by the colleges they’ve applied to. Reviewing and discussing offers side-by-side can help families tremendously in making the best financial decision.
Q: What financial planning tools or guidance do you provide to students beyond completing the FAFSA?
A: We offer links to scholarship databases on our website, kheaa.com. We also meet with students to compare award offers. Having a neutral conversation about what each institution is offering, along with the net cost, can help make the financial part of the decision a lot more clear.
Q: Are there ways to ensure students get the most out of FAFSA assistance?
A: The FAFSA is just a form without proper context. When completing a FAFSA, it’s important to discuss how it plays into the overall process of selecting an institution. We discuss estimated aid, the next steps following completion of the form, and how to compare offers when deciding where to attend. These conversations can lend to a better understanding of not just the FAFSA but the entire financial aid and college access process.
Q: What are the top three things you do with your students who haven’t yet applied to different colleges during this time to ensure they are on track to submissions?
A: Oftentimes, we first talk with students about their career goals. Once a student has an idea of what they may want to do for a career, it helps narrow down the list of schools to consider. Second, we offer time and support to complete the applications with them. Carving out some time to sit with a student to answer questions and assist with online applications can do a lot of good — it takes a lot of that pressure off of the students and also allows them to feel secure in what they’re submitting. Finally, we encourage students to apply to multiple schools — even if they have their hearts set on a particular institution — just to see what offers may come back.
Q: What are the top three things you do with your students who have applied to college during this time to ensure they stay on the college-ready course?
A: We ensure that students have sent their transcripts to the institutions they’ve applied to. We also discuss ACT scores to determine if a higher score can help with the applications for the schools of their choice, and if so, we encourage them to retake the test and send updated scores to those colleges. Third, we encourage ongoing research for both institutional and private scholarship opportunities, and as a bonus, we encourage students to apply to competing institutions. Even if they are “sold” on a particular college, comparing additional offers will help them to make a well-rounded financial decision.
Q: For those who still need to apply, what are the most important things they should keep in mind when planning their submissions?
A: It’s crucial that students are aware of deadlines — for both applications and scholarships. It’s unfortunate when students who would have been eligible for additional scholarships miss out due to passed deadlines. We also encourage students to research possible application fee waivers. If a student has multiple schools they are considering, application fees can add up quickly.
Q: What advice do you provide to students who are anxiously awaiting college decisions?
A: I try to help students feel more comfortable in this stage of the process. Students need to hear that there are options for everyone — and that’s why it’s so important to apply to multiple institutions. If one doesn’t pan out, others may be a perfect fit. I also explain to students who don’t feel confident they’ll be accepted into a particular institution that by making the most of their time on campus, any college can offer a wonderful experience. In terms of future job opportunities, it’s less about WHERE you went and more about how you made the most of the opportunities you had and the connections you made.
Counselors and advisors play a crucial role in students applying to and attending college. There’s a sea of information about where to go for postsecondary education, how much it costs, the program to pursue, what application, grant, or scholarship deadline to make, and how to craft the perfect application submission — all making the process daunting and overwhelming. Students need support to follow through with their decisions and feel confident in the choices they’ve made. This support given to them by the people they trust for guidance also supports their families by simplifying information and presenting options they can be excited about. A new semester and a new year are opportunities for an invigorated approach to reach the same goals before students graduate and embark on their next chapters.
|
