Big Fish or Little Fish?

Would you rather be a big fish in a small pond, or a little fish in a big pond?   As you start your college search, this is an important question for both students and parents to consider.

Many people assume that it’s better to attend the most selective college possible, even if your high school grades, test scores, and other measures place you towards the lower end of the college’s student body.  The rationale behind this “small fish in a big pond” line of thinking is that students will always benefit from being surrounded by smarter peers, as well as enjoy the perceived prestige of the more selective school.

Yet, research suggests otherwise.  Multiple studies have shown that students who opt to be a top student at a less selective college (in other words, a big fish in a small pond) tend to feel more competent, have better college GPAs, and higher career aspirations than students who just squeaked into a more selective college.   This is true even when the student attending the less selective college had a less impressive admissions profile (i.e., high school GPA, test scores) than the student who picked the more selective school.

Author Malcom Gladwell also points out how being a big fish in a small pond can be especially beneficial to students planning to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) degrees and STEM-related careers.   At a presentation at Google Zeitgeist, Gladwell discussed how many students who begin college intending to major in STEM fields switch to non-science and math majors.  Those whose scores are in the bottom third were most likely to switch majors.

The equation doesn’t change based on the selectivity of the college, noted Gladwell.  A student’s SAT scores may put them in the bottom third of peers at a highly selective university, or at the top of their peers at a less selective school.  But, the odds of the student persisting through to graduation in a STEM major will be greater at the less selective college where they are in the top third. 

“As human beings, we dramatically underestimate the cost of being at the bottom of a hierarchy,” said Gladwell in his presentation.  “We form our self-assessment and confidence based on our standing relative to the group, not the entire world.”   Being among the top students in a college – regardless of its selectivity – makes a student likely to see themselves as capable of keeping up with the group.

Of course, there are many reasons for choosing a college.   A student and their parents may prefer the programs, location, financial aid, extracurricular activities, or a host of other characteristics of one college over another.  A motivated student can also succeed at a variety of institutions, regardless of how he or she compares to campus peers.  Students who are likely to be “big fish” among their classmates at a highly selective college will reap the same benefits as they would by attending a less selective school.  

 Deciding if you’ll be better suited to being a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond is an important part of finding a college that will be the best match for you.

College Visit Tips for Students

There’s no substitute to visiting a college and spending time on campus to tell you whether a particular college is right for you. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your campus visits.

Talk to students besides the tour guide.  Although it may be tough to strike up a conversation with students on a busy campus, make the effort.  Tour guides give you the “official” story of life on campus, but you want to know what it’s really like to go to school there.  Two good questions to ask:  “If you could do it over, would you pick this school again?”  and “How do you spend your time on weekends?” 

Peek into a “real” dorm room and bathroom.  If you can, check out a dorm room and dorm bathroom besides the one they show on the tour.  Can you see yourself living here?

Eat in a student dining hall.  Four years is a long time to go without eating, so while you’re visiting campus, see if it’s possible to have a meal in a campus dining hall.  Dining halls are also often good places to get a sense of the social atmosphere on campus. 

Spend time walking around campus on your own.  Sure, you’ll probably be visiting with your parents, but when you actually go to college, mom and dad won’t be coming with you.  So, at some point during your time on campus, break away from your parents and walk around on your own for 15-20 minutes.  Ask yourself:  Can I see myself being comfortable here for four years? 

Talk to a professor and sit in on a class.  Before your visit, ask the admissions office if it is possible for you to meet with a professor in your potential major and sit in on a class.  While this might seem intimidating, you’ll learn much more about the academic atmosphere on campus this way then you will from just going on the tour or attending the formal admissions presentation.

Read campus bulletin boards. Campus bulletin boards often contain clues about campus social life, the political hot buttons of students, and even whether it’s easy to find a ride home to where you live for spring break.  The student union is a particularly good place to peruse bulletin boards.

Grab a copy of the student newspaper.  You’ll usually find the student newspaper in a rack near the door of the main library or student union. Don’t leave campus without getting hold of the latest issue.  Read it for insight into life on campus.  You’ll want to keep up with the online editions of the newspapers from the colleges that interest you most.

Explore the surrounding area.  You’ll want to get off campus from time to time so once you’ve seen the campus, check out the local neighborhood. What’s within walking distance of campus?  Do you feel safe walking in the surrounding area?  How friendly are the locals?

Write down your impressions and take pictures.  After a few campus visits, you’ll begin to blur colleges together in your mind.  As soon as possible after your visit, write down your impressions of each school for future reference.  Snap as many pictures as you can of whatever catches your eye.  When you’re trying to answer application essay questions about why you want to attend this school, you’ll be glad to have your notes and the photos to refer back to.

College Visit Tips for Parents

Touring prospective colleges is a rite of passage for many families and an important part of the college admission process.  Here are some tips to help parents plan a successful college visit trip.

Be selective.  Less is actually more when it comes to college visit. Focus on visiting the schools that seem like the best fits for your child while being sure to include a good mix of admission safe bets, realistic matches, and reaches.

Be realistic. Most students find campus visits tiring and a bit overwhelming.  Aim for no more than two campus visits each day; one visit a day is even better, unless the colleges are located very close to each other.  Allow at least three hours for each visit, including time to wander around campus and explore the surrounding area after the official tour.  A visit may take up most of the day if your child is going to be meeting with an admissions officer or a faculty member, sitting in on a class, or attending a more formal admission presentation.  

Be flexible.  Almost every parent who has ever accompanied their child on a college tour has a story about the college (or colleges) where their child simply would not get out of the car.  When this happens, just calmly move on to the next school. 

Blend into the background.  A campus visit is a chance for your child to “try on” their future.  Blend into the background while you’re on campus.  Let your child ask the questions and walk up front next to the tour guide, while you hang in the back of the tour group.  Most important of all: give your child some space and time to walk around campus on their own after the formal tour.

If your child will be interviewing with admissions while you are on campus,  remember this is your child’s interview, not yours!  While most admission officers will invite parents in to say hello at the end of the interview, this is not an invitation to chime in with things you think admission should know about your child. Similarly, if you and your child will be talking to a coach, visiting academic departments, or stopping by the office of disabilities services, let your child take the lead.  This will help your child develop the self-confident, pro-active interpersonal skills necessary for college success.

Visit the financial aid office, the security office, and the career services office.  Most families visit the admission office while on campus, but few think to pay a visit to the financial aid office, the security office, or career services.  Yet, these stops give parents the chance to ask important questions about financial aid, campus safety, and the school’s record of helping graduates find jobs.  These stops are a good time to “divide and conquer.”  Let your child explore the campus while you visit these offices for a quick chat.

Keep an open mind.  Some colleges will likely resonate with you, but not your child – and vice versa.  Expect this, and try to keep an open mind.  Be careful about assuming that your reaction is the right one, or rushing to voice your opinions before your child expresses his or hers.  Help your child reflect on the visit by asking open-ended questions about what they saw, heard, and thought while on campus.  Listen carefully to your child’s reactions before sharing your own impressions.

Enjoy this journey with your child. Yes, this trip is about visiting colleges, but it is also a chance to spend some special time with your child before they head off into adulthood. As you visit colleges together, try to build in some downtime and fun activities that have nothing to do with college and enjoy each other’s company on this exciting journey.

Navigating the Waitlist

Colleges continue to increase the use of waitlists in order to manage their enrollment. Formerly, the waitlist served as a safety net for colleges, assuring them of extra candidates if the number of students who accepted their offer of admission fell below their expectations.  Now, however, colleges appear to be using the waitlist as a way of increasing their yields and thus their rankings.

It has become pretty typical for a selective college that accepts 2,000 applicants in hopes of enrolling 500 students to offer another 2,000 well-qualified students places on the wait list.  Of these, a quarter are likely to accept a spot.  What should you do now if you are one of the hopeful applicants who has been waitlisted at your dream school?

First, you need to understand that this is not a denial of admission; instead, the college is letting you know that they consider you a good candidate and would like to accept you if room allows.  Since students on the waitlist are not ranked, you need to get the attention of admissions in order to be admitted.  How do you do that?

First, respond quickly affirming your continued interest in the college and your desire to remain on the waitlist.  Follow up with the admissions office in the manner the school requires to affirm your place on the waitlist. If this is your top choice for college, let the rep know.

Next, update your file with any additional awards, honors, new grades or experiences. 

Be prepared to make a quick decision on attending if you get an email or phone call offering you a place in the class.  Generally, colleges will expect a yes within 24-48 hours after offering you a place.  Only then will the offer become official.  If you do choose to attend Wait List U, you’ll need to withdraw your previous enrollment at your second choice college.  Be aware that you will probably forfeit any deposits you’ve paid to that institution.

Why College Admissions Has Dramatically Changed

The college admission process wasn’t nearly as anxiety-producing thirty years ago. Parents who haven’t been through it yet have heard horror stories from friends and relatives, but they don’t understand why things are so different now.

For one thing, more students are applying to college. Thirty years ago, half of high school graduates applied to college, but today more than two thirds submit applications. Back then, those who did apply usually stayed closer to home, often only applying to public universities in their state. Today’s students apply more widely. 

They also end up with more debt, and applications to expensive schools that don’t offer much aid have skyrocketed.

Parents are often shocked at how much more expensive college is today. College costs have outpaced inflation. The new, well-equipped science centers you see on so many campuses are expensive. Labor costs have gone up in higher education, just as in other industries.

The application process has become easier in some ways and more difficult in others. The Common Application means students no longer have to prepare a separate application for each college. The convenience of the Common Application and the anxiety about getting into a “good” school motivates students to apply to more colleges. In 1990, only 16 percent of students applied to six or more colleges; that percentage doubled 30 years later. Many students now apply to 10 or 15 schools, driven by fear of rejection. Additionally, test-optional policies have led to students to apply to schools that are unreachable, significantly increasing application numbers to highly selective colleges and universities.

Admissions officers are under pressure to keep increasing their application numbers. Colleges compete with rival schools to seem more selective and desirable, and to get high rankings, which has become a priority for families obsessed with “best” schools. 

Thirty years ago, students were often competing in a smaller applicant pool, with other students from similar backgrounds. Today, admission officers have expanded their recruiting efforts, both across the country and internationally. The deluge of applicants with near perfect grades and high test scores makes admission to highly selective colleges unpredictable, as admission officers choose one super-achieving student while turning down another as they attempt to craft the ideal freshman class. 

What has not changed is the number of available seats. Most colleges have not increased their capacity dramatically. When you have more students applying for roughly the same number of spaces, fewer students will be admitted.

To make the process less stressful, focus on the programs and characteristics that are most important to you in a college, and then count on your Journey Ahead counselor to recommend schools of varying selectivity that offer what you want.  Most importantly, the “best” college is the one that is the best fit for your student, not the one with the highest ranking, or the name you recognize.

Preparing for standardized tests

Although many colleges remain test optional, there are good reasons to prep for and take the SAT or ACT.  Most students feel some anxiety about taking college entrance exams.  A good test prep course or working one-on-one with a tutor can help alleviate some of this anxiety by allowing students to become familiar with the exams and test-taking strategies.  Here are some questions to ask if you are shopping for a test prep class:

Who will be teaching the class?  Some test prep companies use recent college graduates who had high SAT/ACT scores when they took the exam in high school. Be cautious if this is the case. There is a difference between scoring well on an exam and being able to teach others how to do well.  Be sure to ask about the training the instructors receive to help them become effective teachers, not just effective test takers.  The best programs either use experienced educators as instructors or use educators to train instructors.

What is the content of the class? Does each class session divide time equally between the different sections of the exams, or are whole sessions devoted to specific sections? Is more time spent on particular sections or particular skills development?  Additionally, ask how many full-length practice exams, using real exams, will be given during the course; the more, the better.  But, also ask how the practice exams are scored and shared with students.  Do they receive any personal feedback on their strengths and weaknesses on the exam?  Of course, you should always consider how you learn best, and then look for programs that are a good match for your learning style. Some students will do best with private tutoring, while other students can do well in a group setting.

What materials will be used in the class?  The best test prep classes and test prep tutors will use actual SAT and/or ACT exams for practice. They will not create their own exams.  While many test prep companies use their own proprietary study books, it’s helpful if they also incorporate the College Board’s and the ACT’s own study guides into the classroom.

What is the class size?  Look for smaller groups, and be sure to ask how much time is allocated in each class session to answering individual questions.

What is the refund policy?  If you think the course isn’t helping after a session or two, can you get a refund? What happens if you get sick or have a scheduling conflict that requires dropping out of the course?

Can the tutor provide references?  Checking references is especially important if you are considering hiring a private tutor.  However, keep in mind that what works well for one student isn’t necessarily the best fit for all students; in checking references, be sure to dig deeper in your questions to try to get a sense of the tutor’s style, approach, and ability to adapt to your or your child’s needs.

What is the tutor’s or prep class success rate?  Use caution here.  If a class or tutor suggests that all students who take the course will raise their scores by 100 or 200 points, it should set off warning bells.  Students in any class will learn and improve at their own rates; it is very rare to see the same increases across the board for all students.  Similarly, don’t be overly impressed by promises that you can retake the prep class for free if your scores don’t increase.  You want a course that helps the first time.  

Majoring in Peace and Conflict Studies

Majoring in Peace and Conflict Studies

With the political climate in the United States so divisive at this time, a major that focuses on ways to solve problems peacefully may resonate with you.  Peace and Conflict Studies focus on ways to improve the justice and peace in the world. The major analyzes universal issues such as racism, sexism, destitution, and war. The goal, of course, is to develop an ability to non-violently solve problems.

The study of this major is part theory and part experience. Some of the curriculum focuses on learning history and concepts. Students will learn about the philosophies of legendary peacemakers such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. 

There will also be plenty of opportunities for students to get hands-on experiences. The major includes lab situations that allow students to practice conflict resolution tactics. Students might simulate a meeting in an NGO (non-governmental organization), intern, or create their own group. 

Students learn how to analyze both local and global issues. Some programs are more globally-based while others focus more on the United States, but all programs delve into the diversity of human cultures. In addition, the major may offer study abroad opportunities for students. 

The major includes courses in the philosophy of social science, Marxism, the urban political economy, methods of peacemaking, the history of non-violence, and ecology. International law, the global political economy, postcolonial theory, and international relations are also frequently covered.

Peace and conflict majors gain a plethora of widely-used skills. Majors acquire an aptitude in strategic thinking, teamwork, communication, negotiation, and peaceful problem-solving. They gain research skills, writing skills, and the ability to look at a situation from multiple perspectives. Students leave with an understanding of the complexities of the world and its human issues.

Because the abilities honed in the major are applicable to almost any job, students have a wide variety of career options. Students typically go into careers in one of the following fields: government, law, humanitarian action, counseling, development, conflict resolution, global threat mitigation, and business. 

Government jobs may be in diplomatic roles, civil-military relations, the protection of human rights, and post-conflict aid. Careers in law may focus on subjects such as immigration, human trafficking, land and environment, and employment.

Students interested in humanitarian action may work for an NGO to aid in emergency response, healthcare, and social services for areas in crisis. 

In counseling, graduates might undertake work as trauma therapists. They may help communities heal from tragedies or deal with the emotional and psychological side of crisis repair.

Careers in development can focus on the following topics: the international economy, urban and housing, microfinance and small businesses, and sustainable agriculture. Students may also work towards improving the state of poverty, hunger, and homelessness at local levels. Some developmental jobs are more numbers-based, such as microfinance and the economy, while others have a strong humanitarian aspect. 

Peace and conflict majors going into conflict resolution may deal with mediation, inter-faith and intra-faith conflicts, violence prevention, and reconciliation. 

Global threat mitigation may address issues such as genocide, gender-based violence, climate change, terrorism, and war. Students might join an organization working to fight one of these threats, or they might found their own organization. 

Another option for students is to work in business. Graduates can employ the skills learned in their major in human resources, public relations, and contract negotiation. 

Finally, majors may use their writing, communication, and humanitarian skills in journalism or speech writing. For more information, visit bls.gov.

Career Paths for Peace and Conflict Studies Majors

· Business

· Conflict Resolution

· Counseling

· Development

· Diplomacy

· Education

· Global Threat Mitigation

· Government

· Human Rights Advocacy

· Humanitarian Action

· Law

· Non-Profit Management

· Restorative Justice

· Women's Advancement

What's an Honors College?

As seniors review their college lists, they might find themselves caught between their desire for the intimate learning environment of a liberal arts college and the options and experiences available at a large university.  One way to have the best of both worlds is through a university honors program. Many public and some private universities offer honors programs that provide great benefits, including preferential class registration, special honors classes, enhanced advising and enrichment programs.

Honors classes attract top professors who enjoy teaching bright, motivated students. In most programs, students are not required to take all honors courses, and often take one or two honors classes each semester along with their other classes. Honors classes are smaller and students can pursue a subject in more depth. Some programs require students to complete a senior project to receive an honors designation on their transcript.

Many schools offer separate honors housing. Having a residential community where students take their studies seriously can be especially important at schools that are known for a party atmosphere. Honors students are generally not required to live in honors housing, but it’s nice to have the option.

The University of Arizona and Arizona State University offer honors programs. These are such large universities, each with more than 30,000 students, that an honors program is a great way to create a sense of community and to be assured of having real contact with professors. Arizona State University’s Barrett Honors College creates a living-learning community featuring classrooms, advising center, computer room and residence halls. Honors advisors help students find opportunities for    research, internships and study abroad. Students who are interested need to apply both to ASU and the Barrett Honors College.

Some honors programs provide financial incentives. Penn State University’s Schreyer Honors College offers a renewable scholarship of $5,000 to all first-year students, and provides grants to students who study abroad. The school offers more than 300 honors courses each year. Like many honors programs, Schreyer boasts of high placement rates to graduate and professional schools.

Private schools can also have honors programs. At Boston’s Northeastern University, students have access to separate honors sections of courses, as well as interdisciplinary honors seminars. They can live with other freshmen honors students, and enjoy excursions to the theater and symphony.

These are just a few examples of the many honors programs available at colleges and universities across the country. While a few require a separate application, most schools will invite applicants with top grades and test scores to join their honors programs. These programs can offer terrific benefits, but as always, it’s important to do your research and make sure the school is a good match.