Coffee Break: How to get into college
Getting into college can be one of the most anxiety-producing rites of passage for parents and their children. In response, PTA’s Coffee Break hosted a panel Wednesday to discuss college acceptance tips.
Participants included two representatives of Laguna Beach High School’s counseling department, a local community college counseling official, a private college counselor and author, and a private provider of standardized-test preparation.
Dawn Hunnicut, a college and career specialist, emphasized the value of campus visits that provide an opportunity to start a relationship with someone from one’s dream school.
She also recommended visiting local college campuses when on a family vacation, even if the student isn’t particularly interested. She said it helps build the feeling of what college is like.
College counselor Nicole Rosa is an expert in coaching the college-bound athlete, having attended college on a water polo scholarship. When asked, “Should your kid go to practice or study for the final?” she touted balance, saying “academics will always get you in ... do not bank on the scholarship.”
She said of this year’s 15 Laguna seniors who got into programs through their athletic participation, the majority didn’t get money. She advises that students have realistic expectations and recommended the National Collegiate Athletic Association website, NCAA.org, for information.
“I tell student athletes to use the ‘broken leg test’: If you break your leg are you still going to be happy [at the school you choose]?”
Cindy Muchnick, former assistant director of admissions at the University of Chicago, cautioned parents to be aware that “stress starts with the parents and trickles down” to the kids, potentially adding unnecessary pain to the process.
The author of “Writing Successful College Applications,” Muchnick emphasized that the essays must be written in the youths’ genuine voice, reflecting their experience and perspective. “There is no magic formula. Be real.”
She noted that essays that are obviously written above the student’s level are red-flagged by the admissions team reviewing applications. The average time a counselor spends on any application is three to seven minutes.
Amanda Rubenstein, founder of AR Academics, a local test-prep service, spoke about the SAT and ACT. She compared the two tests to Pepsi and Cola, explaining that the ACT is knowledge- or curriculum-based, while the SAT is based on reasoning/critical thinking, or IQ-based.
The SAT is going to be completely changed by March 2016, so she recommended prepping for the ACT.
The professionals agreed that the most important thing to any college is the transcript, meaning academic rigor as well as grade point average. Essays, letters of recommendation and extracurricular activities are then factored in.
Standardized tests are important hurdles in the most selective schools, and are required by most four-year institutions. Prepping may improve scores, but there are no guarantees.
Over one-third of Laguna Beach High School students choose to attend community college, and for these people, standardized tests aren’t required.
Two years of community college costs about $6,000 versus $25,000 for UCLA and $96,000 for USC (tuition only). Furthermore, community colleges provide a legitimate path toward a four-year degree: 51% of the Cal State graduates and 29% of the UC system graduates start in community college.
Community colleges offer Transfer Admission Guarantee programs, which ensure acceptance into a UC or Cal State school. Requirements vary. They are more rigorous for the UCs and don’t include UCLA, UCSD or Berkeley. Community colleges also offer honors programs, which have an impressive 85% transfer rate. It’s not surprising that so many choose this path.
KATE ROGERS is a mother of three and a member of the Coffee Break committee. Coffee Break is a monthly program organized and supported by the Laguna Beach PTA Council’s Parent Education Committee.