College speakers prove useful in admissions process

As seniors begin the college application process this fall, they face the tough decision of choosing which colleges will be right for them come fall 2011. However, the College and Career Center has made the decision a little easier for the seniors by hosting college speakers every week.

Beginning in early September, the CCC, with help from guidance secretary Bonnie Sheikh, lines up speakers to give 45-50 minute presentation on their schools in order to give students more background information as they begin to compile a list of schools. These speakers, usually regional admission representatives from their respective colleges, speak about the student life and admissions process and answer any questions from the students.

“The college speakers are actually really helpful for me,” said senior Kaitna Shankar. “It gives me a chance to learn about the specific admissions process for each college and what exactly I need to do.”

Often times, the representatives who come to speak are the same admissions officers who will review the freshman applications later in the year.

“A lot of the students do not realize that if they make an effort to come and attend these visits, the admissions representatives may remember them the following year or when it comes time to apply,” said Sheikh. “The representatives are also extremely accessible; they give out their cards and encourage contacting them through email if students have any questions.”

Recently, the College and Career Center has been focusing on some of the smaller universities in an effort to expose students to the unique programs or professors these schools offer.

“There are a lot of cool things that these smaller colleges are doing that students don’t usually know or hear about until they learn more about the colleges,” said Sheikh.

The CCC has also tried to keep students informed by sending information through Naviance and e-mails. Anytime the students select a college on Naviance that they are interested in learning about or applying to, they receive an automatic e-mail when the speaker from that particular college is visiting.

“I usually hear about the college speakers through Naviance. My counselor lets me know when the colleges I’m interested in are coming to visit,” said senior Alison Buchanan.

The college visits are scheduled during the second half of classes throughout the day. Students are simply required to get a pink permission slip from the College and Career Center and have it signed by their teachers to miss class time. More information regarding the time and date of speakers from different colleges can be found both on the board outside the College and Career Center and inside the College and Career Center, on the daily announcements, through Naviance, PTSO e-mails and the online CCC calendar.