Save the Date
The National Association for College Admission Counseling will host its annual college fair in Atlanta on March 13 at the Georgia International Convention Center. More than 200 colleges will be there, and sessions on different aspects of the college process will be offered. School counselors also will be on hand.
Information: www.nacacnet.org.
Nancy Beane knows a thing or two about getting into college. Beane is associate director of college counseling at The Westminster Schools, where she has worked 26 years, and she was just voted president-elect of the National Association for College Admission Counseling. The organization has some 15,000 members, including high school and college counselors from both public and independent schools, as well as financial aid and admission officers. Beane talked about what it’s like applying to college today and why the best strategy is an open mind.
Q: What do you like about your work?
A: I will always look at myself as a teacher — I spent 15 years teaching at a public high school and I also taught history at Westminster 23 years. I adore trying to help young people figure out the next stage of life. All students are trying to figure out who they are in this complex world.
Q: What are some of the issues facing the national group you will lead?
A: There is a big focus on public school counselors. Almost 50 percent of students nationwide start their college education at community colleges. Families are different today in terms of makeup and often students live more fragmented lives. Many students work and are trying to balance a job and school and family activities. And we are trying to help students navigate a more global world. Clearly, one of the hot button issues is cost. College is such a big investment financially for so many families and one that people take very seriously.
Q: Where does a student even start?
A: As counselors, we try to get to know a student’s passions. As students discern those, we get them to think through if they want to continue with their current interests. Do they want to be in a big city, a rural area or a college town? A big or small school? Students can do virtual tours. Another way of finding out about schools is attending college fairs. I stress that students be open-minded.
Q: How stressed out are the students you counsel?
A: I tell my students they have three priorities. The first is faith, family and health. For some students, faith is more philosophical. The second is growth — intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, whatever they decide. The third is the college application process, which is not as important as the other two. Where you go to school will not determine your life, positively or negatively, unless you let it.
Q: Is counseling the parents part of the process?
A: Colleges really want students to take ownership of the process. I tell parents that their primary job is to set parameters. The biggest one is financial. Parents need to tell their child what they can afford so the student doesn’t get boxed in with a lot of debt. Once parents set parameters, we hope and pray they will let their children choose. It is very important for parents to be open-minded as well. I don’t believe that only certain schools open doors. I have seen too many evidences to the contrary.
Q: So magic formula?
A: No magic formula. Clearly, grades, curriculum, activities, leadership, and in many cases, standardized scores are important. However, I think the biggest thing colleges are looking for is passion. A student needs to develop what they are passionate about. Colleges want to know what distinguishes a student from every other student. How have they made a difference in their classroom? In their community? Colleges want students who are going to contribute.
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