A new trend in college admissions

Hannah Serota, M.Ed, CEP

The BIG C's: character, collaboration, and curiosity are now in vogue

Have you ever looked back over meeting notes and suddenly been struck by a clear theme running through the pages? That’s me as I review my notebook filled with information and observations from the recent Independent Educational Consultants Association conference. 


Several of our educational sessions involved panel discussions with deans and directors of admission from colleges and universities across the US. They represented public and private institutions. Large and small colleges. STEM-focused and liberal arts. Highly selective and less so. Despite these schools’ unique qualities and individual institutional profiles, three themes loomed large across the board: Character, Collaboration, and Curiosity. I call them the Big Cs.


Character


There’s a movement growing that promotes the concept of “character” development in education. In a quick Google search, you’ll find pages of links to schools and associations that promote this idea of character development. 


But what is “character?” 


It’s a bit vague and its meaning depends on who is using the word. Basically, “character” in the context of college admissions refers to personal qualities like persistence, resilience, cooperation, kindness, generosity, and integrity. 


As selective colleges continue experiencing surges in applications with far too many qualified applicants for the available seats, many are focusing on and making decisions based on these non-academic factors that make up “character.” 


That’s not to say that academics aren’t important. They are. But once colleges screen for academic preparation and competitiveness, admissions officers are asking themselves these questions: 


  • What kind of community member will the student be?
  • What character traits do they possess that would make them an asset to their school? 


Students who can demonstrate strong character traits stand out in a crowded college application pool. But, here’s the catch. You can’t manufacture character. You can develop it, but you can’t fake it. As parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, and role models, we can help young people develop strong character. 


Ironically, these strong character traits will also help them weather any disappointment if and when they don’t get the offer of admission they’ve longed for. Character is, in fact, most on display when life gets tough. 



Collaboration


My favorite quote from the conference is, “Us and We versus I and Me.” Wow. I wrote that one down, circled it, and highlighted it. 


For years, the message to students has been to aspire to be the shining star, the standout, the singularly accomplished. Maybe it’s because we went through the Covid experience. Maybe it’s because our country is more polarized than ever. Maybe it’s because of the increase in anxiety, depression, and overall difficult mental health challenges among our youth. Maybe it’s all of those factors and more. 


Whatever the reason, colleges are putting a new emphasis on enrolling students who are good at collaborating with others. Colleges like to admit students who can work well in groups, can be inclusive leaders, and can listen and learn from others. 


Building a future community is part of the job of the admissions team. That means admitting students who demonstrate the ability to collaborate with others both inside and outside the classroom. 



Curiosity


Successful college applicants at selective colleges and universities need to show intellectual curiosity. 


Admissions readers are looking for clues in applications that students are curious and eager to learn. That means going beyond what is required in school. Some colleges want to admit students who have developed a highly focused area of interest that they have pursued with depth. Other colleges want to admit students who have varied interests and who will eagerly take classes in multiple areas. And still, other colleges want to admit students who ask questions about everything, who will engage with and challenge each other as they study various subjects.


College is a place of learning that requires a lot of independence and motivation. Showing curiosity and eagerness is a must!



So how does your student show the Big Cs in an application?


  • Activities - Think about how your child describes their activities. Are they a collaborator? Have they pursued activities that connect to their interests? Have they helped or served others in some way? Choose words that showcase these values. The Common Application limits students to 10 activities - make those activity descriptions count. 


  • Letters of recommendation - Is your student a good classroom group member? Have they helped or tutored other students? Do you ask thoughtful questions? Do they show eagerness and curiosity in the classroom? Do you ever go above and beyond the assignment? Have they talked to your teacher about your interests? The more that your teacher and counselor can provide examples of how your teen demonstrates these qualities, the stronger their letters will be. Keep in mind - most selective colleges require one or two letters of recommendation from teachers in core academic subjects, preferably from the junior year. 


  • Essays - Some students can naturally incorporate one or more of these themes into their essays. It’s important that your teen’s essay be authentic, so don’t force these themes into the essay. Often it’s in the college supplemental essays that they can highlight their character, collaboration, and curiosity. Common questions are: “why are you interested in the major you selected?” and “why are you interested in attending our college?” 


  • Interviews - Some colleges offer applicant interviews. Your student can use these conversations to elaborate in ways that show their character, ability to collaborate, and natural curiosity. 



Remember that there is no single factor that leads to an admissions decision, and academic preparation always comes first. As your student goes through the high school years, be mindful of the Big C’s in college admission. And, when it comes time to apply, ask them to demonstrate aspects of Big C’s in their application.


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How to Make the Most of Your College Visit

By Sheila Baisden, Senior Consultant • July 24, 2021
It’s been well over a year since colleges have been open to visitors. As more people are getting vaccinated for Covid-19, college admission offices are again looking forward to welcoming prospective students and their families to their campuses. College officials continue to be concerned about keeping their communities and prospective families safe. So before you take off for your campus visit, consider the suggestions below to ensure you make the most of your college visit. First things first A campus visit is a major component in the college search, allowing prospective students to get first-hand, up-close impressions of a college without relying on other sources such as peers, alumni, or social media. Do not worry if you cannot afford the time or money to visit a campus far from your home. Admissions officers understand that visiting campuses requires a substantial commitment of time and money that many students cannot afford. Check admission websites to figure out if campus visits are considered a form of “demonstrated interest” and may become a factor in the admission process for some students. When to visit The timing of your campus visit will depend on what is best for you and your family. Summer visits can be very effective. Admission officers and students tend to be more relaxed during the summer. You may find it more relaxing, especially if you have many academic and extracurricular obligations during the school year. Consider visiting colleges farther away from home during the summer. Your family can treat the visit as a mini-vacation by spending time in interesting nearby areas as part of the trip. And conversely, you can look and see what schools are near anywhere a vacation is planned. It will be easier to schedule visits closer to home on weekends or school breaks when you and your parents have less free time. Open house or special visit programs for large groups throughout the year can provide an equally excellent overview of academic and extracurricular options. Look on the admissions websites for specific schools you are interested in to find these programs, or Google "college open house programs" or something similar to see schools that have these programs. Before your visit Check the college or university website for times and requirements to attend tours and information sessions. Planning ahead allows the admission office to put its best foot forward to guarantee you have a good visit experience. In light of Covid-19 health precautions, many colleges will request that you pre-register before the visit or limit the number of family members who attend. Create a fairly leisurely itinerary. Avoid marathon road trips where your family is rushing off all over a region to catch an information session or tour at the next school. Although mask requirements may be relaxed in your hometown, colleges may ask you to wear a mask during your visit to campus. Bring a mask along, just in case. Check the website to make sure your academic statistics (scores, grades, GPA, courses) match the college’s admitted student profile. Does the college offer your potential major, extracurricular, and social activities? Is the size of the college a good fit for you? What is the surrounding town like? Are there local restaurants, movies, and shops nearby when you need a break from your studies? How accessible is the campus by car, plane, or train? Create a spreadsheet with statistical information about colleges that interest you. You can also create a column to record your impressions after the visit. If possible, make an appointment to speak with a faculty member, coach, music advisor, or other expert in a specialized area of interest. During your visit Take the lead in presenting yourself and asking questions. Review questions and concerns with your parents before arrival so that you and your concerns - not your parents’ - become the focus of the visit. Plan to spend extra time on campus beyond the official visit options. Usually, the group tour gives students insight into the college community, and the information session gives the official administrative view. Both views are important, but both are official representatives of the college. Drop into the snack bars and coffee shops. Find a popular spot on campus and observe student interactions. Chat casually with current students who are open to sharing their experiences. Do not base your opinion of the college on whether you like or are turned off by the tour guide. If you are far from home and getting back may be difficult, go ahead and schedule an interview at the same time, especially if the admission office highly recommends it. After your visit Compare notes with your parents while impressions are fresh. Discuss the general vibe of the community, the upkeep of facilities, new information you learned, etc. Record your general observations, pros and cons, and impressions on the spreadsheet with statistical information you prepared before the visit. Send a thank you note to your interviewer if you have an interview or an especially helpful tour guide. Continue to research by reviewing official resources published by the college or third-party websites, as well as social media and more subjective resources. If you cannot take advantage of a campus visit… Do not despair! There are plenty of ways for you to become more familiar with a college. Take advantage of online opportunities, like online chats, virtual tours, and information sessions. Arrange an interview with a local representative or alumni referred by the admission office. Attend local information sessions in your area sponsored by the college. Open your emails for admission and campus updates as you continue to scour the website for details about academic and extracurricular information. Reach out to the regional admission officer responsible for your area when you have questions or concerns about the college admission process. Or ask the admission office to match you with a current student who grew up in your area. It may be helpful to ask questions of a peer who knows your hometown and can address similar concerns. Final thoughts A campus visit is just one of many ways to get a sense of whether a college is a right match and fit for you. It is very reliable because you have first-hand experience that you can evaluate for yourself. Access as many options as you can to fairly assess a college community and its academics. Avoid relying heavily on social media and public perception, which may be skewed and not the most reliable source. Remember that public perception of a college or university is usually 20 years behind current facts. Most importantly, keep an open mind and enjoy the ride! ~Sheila Sheila Baisden is a Senior Educational Consultant with Creative College Connections in Leesburg, VA. Sheila has 35 years of experience in college admissions consulting, including holding the Director of Admissions position at Swarthmore College and Associate Director of Admissions at Rice University. In addition, she has served as director of college advising at independent schools in Delaware, Georgia, and Houston.
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