Knowing how to choose and tour the right college during the application process can be a challenge for students who are starting to take that step.
Milton Area High School Guidance Counselor Ms. Leslie Robinson said students should first think of the career they want to pursue after high school.
“What kind of training do you need [and] where is the best place to get that training?” she added.
Ms. Robinson said she recommends that Milton students take advantage of the university representatives that visit the guidance office to learn about some potential college choices. According to Ms. Robinson, students can see when college representatives have scheduled visits by checking the emails sent out by Guidance Secretary Ms. Monica Johnson.
Ms. Robinson also said that state schools are not always the cheapest options for attending college. “Depending on financial aid, a private school can give you a better package. They have more money to give,” she added.
Once students have narrowed down their list of colleges, they will likely want to know more information about each college. Scheduling a tour is a great way for students to learn more about a college and get a feel for its atmosphere, Ms. Robinson said.
Tours can also offer a more practical benefit, according to Guidance Counselor Mr. David Newell. “Most times if you visit, [colleges] will waive the application fee,” he added.
Students can schedule tours by calling or emailing schools. “[Schools] are always willing . . . to set up an individual tour for you. And sometimes those are more helpful,” said Ms. Robinson, who recommended students take individual tours if possible.
Ms. Robinson said that student-led tours are generally preferable because students are often very honest about the school. “Students will tell you the truth; the admissions [representatives] are the advertisers,” she said.
During a tour, Ms. Robinson recommended that students ask about the school’s graduation rate, employment rate of graduates, whether teaching assistants or professors teach courses and if the school considers every freshman for financial aid or not. She and Mr. Newell also recommended that students find out what courses they should take in high school to get into their major of choice.
Students should start looking for schools as soon as they have their major figured out, even before senior year, said Mr. Newell.
He gave the example of scholarships that students can receive by simply attending summer camps hosted at local schools like Penn College and Lycoming. He recommended that freshmen and sophomores interested in schools that offer these summer camps should go.
“There are certain things out there that . . . you could be earning scholarships just for attending. And by the time you’re a senior, it’s too late,” he added.
Seniors should apply to their school(s) of choice before Thanksgiving, especially if they want to go into a selective major such as nursing, Mr. Newell also said. “They will tell you it’s rolling admission, but . . . there’s only so many spots . . . I would not wait [until] past that,” he added.
