Session 2: Navigating the Waters of College Admissions

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Alright, so we will slowly get started while the rest of our friends go ahead and log in and join us. So thank you again for joining our session everyone my name is Kelly Vallette on the assistant director of admissions here at Washington College. We're going to try to cover everything from the application process all away up until the enrollment process. I'm now going to turn it over to my colleague, Lexie Sumner. You guys heard from this morning.

Good morning everybody. It's still me. I'm still Lexie and I'm silly, associate director of admissions at Washington College. We're really excited that you're here today. And, um, we're gonna go ahead and get started. As Kelly mentioned, hopefully you see on your screen something that looks more or less like a treasure map. We're going to use this as kind of our template for today with each of the islands being indifferent.

Part of the college process and step one working on that college list. Working on your college list is perhaps the most daunting part of the process. If you haven't done so already at encourage you to start working on the list of schools that you want to pursue, kind of. Think of it like a funnel. Start with 20 or so schools you want to do research on maybe 10 or so schools you want to visit, and then six or so schools you choose to apply to the schools on your list should more or less meet all of the criteria on your wish list.

Ask yourself what does my perfect college look like? What is important to me? What are my priorities? What part of the world is it in? Is it a small school in a city? A large school in the suburbs? Is it an all girls school with a Division One swim team or a Coed Division Three school on Maryland's Eastern Shore with an undefeated football team since 1782. That's us by the way. When I started the college process, I didn't know where to start. How do you narrow down 4000 schools in the US alone to 20, let alone the one?

I started geographically. I'm from New Jersey and new. I wanted to go somewhere South within five hours of home. My colleague Kelly knew she wanted to Roana Varsity team at a school in Maryland. Your college wishlist? An eventual list of schools to consider should be unique to you. Do some soul searching. Ask yourself the tough questions. Now. The more intentional you are with your research leading up to your senior year, the easier the college process will be. The college research process may look a little different this year.

You may not have gone to college fairs this past spring, just as you are today. Use the virtual resources available. Check out a college guide book on your Kindle. Look at a college and universities Instagram pages, and while you're working on your college list wish list, there is another really important part that you should be working on. 2.

Just a reminder everyone you can utilize the questions box to ask us questions about the presentation and we will address them at the end. So yes, the college admissions process can be daunting, but what about the dreaded college essay? Well, we hope after our session today, you won't dread it anymore. Now create curious by virtual show of hands. So feel free to use the chat or questions box. Who has started completed or maybe just even thought about an idea for their essay. Many students begin brainstorming at the end of their junior year, coming into the summer of their senior year. So maybe right now.

While asking themselves well, why do I even need this essay in the 1st place? The essay gives you a platform to share with your admissions counselor what you want us to know versus where the application shows us what we need to know. After you find out why you need the essay, where should you go to get prompts to write about the answer is, it depends what you have many options. For example, if you're using the common application, typically they give you 7 to 7 to 8 different prompts to choose from. Those can vary from Share your story learning from obstacles.

Maybe challenging a belief that your family has writing about a personal growth or a topic of your choice. If you're using the institutions application, usually it's going to be one specific question or they're going to ask for a personal statement. For example, for Washington College, we're going to ask you, please tell us why you're interested in Washington College in the end, pick the one that will set you up for the most success.

Now let's dive into the into a little bit deeper of the bulk of your essay. There is some non negotiables to get out of the way when you're setting yourself up for success, it's important to know that there isn't a right or wrong way to write your essay. Throughout the years, we've seen essays that were more successful than others, so we wanted to provide you with a short do's and don'ts list. If you have a pen or pencil, this would be the time to pick it up.

So a couple going into the Dews. Please don't use any slang or curse words. Make sure you're not using texting language. Make sure you're following the institutions guidelines. For example, if they give you a word limit, make sure following that. Lastly spell check spell check spell check this can come in different forms if you're using word to write your essay. Of course, use the automatic spell check it gives you there, but another way to do this is to have multiple people proofread your essay. This can be maybe asking mom or dad to read it. A sibling who is probably going to give you some constructive criticism.

Make sure that they're able to kind of see your voice come out through your essay.

You also want to make yourself noticeable. Think of a way that that will make yourself stand out from this large pool of applicants. You're competing against. Tell us something you don't know. For example, my college essay topic was about me being adopted. Yes, there's others. Other students in the world who are probably adopted, but I was able to tie that into my experience. Being on the rowing team throughout high school and middle school. Lastly, try to show us your personality. Use this lens. Use this as a lens. Show us how you feel about a certain topic.

This is who you are in. Those are your values. Try to use some of your character traits in there as well. If you're telling us a story or something that's personal and relevant to you, always tie it back to yourself.

Lastly, for the do's list, I would suggest trying something called the name test. What this is is, say you and your friend. Maybe your sibling going through the same process have completed your college essay. You should guys should try switching essays and say if you were put your name on your friends essay, it should not be able to make sense for you as well. So this is a way to kind of test. Is your topic unique enough to kind of make yourself stand out from that pool of applicants? Now? Going into a couple of don'ts? Again like I said.

Try not to make it an extended resume. Tell us something that's not already in your application that you want us to know. If you're describing an event or person that's had a significant impact in your life, that's awesome. But if you keep talking about how great your Gran father is throughout the entire essay, we want to admit him and welcome him to Washington College. So just make sure. In the end, whatever event or person you're explaining, always tie it back to yourself. Explain how your grand father has made you into the person that you are today.

Once you have your essay fine tuned and the list of colleges you want to apply to mapped out, we suggest making a checklist for each schools application. Schools require a variety of materials that make up an application. Generally speaking, a college application is more than just the application you fill out. Schools may require test scores, counselor recommendation letter, high school transcript, AP test scores, etc. Not only that, but schools may have different stipulations. Some schools are on the common application.

A platform where students fill out one application for multiple schools. Some have additional essays. Familiarize yourself with these requirements however you best keep track of things. Sticky notes, The notes app on your phone in Excel document. Stay organized.

I mentioned counselor recommendations. Some schools may welcome or require teacher recommendations to or recommendations from other people in your life who you think you can. Who can advocate strongly on your behalf? Someone in your religious group, your boss, the directory where you volunteer it is never too early to start thinking about who you want to advocate for you for your college application. Start fostering those relationships and ask those people you want to request a letter from with plenty of time before the deadline. Speaking of deadlines, when you're keeping track of what colleges require.

Think about the deadlines. There are four common ones. The first ones, early decision. This is a binding agreement, which means if you apply early decision to a school, you signed an agreement with the school in advance that states if you're accepted you will enroll at that school.

Early decision is not for everybody. It should be reserved for the students who know without a doubt in their mind that that is the school for them. The next deadline is something called early action. This is non binding, which means you can apply early action to multiple different schools. What makes early action unique is you pretty much get all your materials into the school for the application process a little bit earlier in the year and they'll get a decision back to you sooner as well. The next deadline is regular decision. This is the final day you can apply for admission into the college.

For consideration for the next class, Washington College offers early decision. Early action an regular decision.

The next deadline, which we do not offer, is something called rolling admission.

This means the college receives an reviews applications as they come in and there is no deadline.

Something new this year that we're seeing a lot more of is test optional because of the impact that Cove in 19 has had on students abilities to take S 80 and AC T scores more and more schools are adopting a test optional policy which means you could apply to a school without having test scores we've had a test optional policy for many years as I mentioned in our opening we're going to have a test optional policy again this year but there's something to keep in mind with test optional.

When you apply to us Arsenal to Washington College, you can apply without test scores for admission and scholarship consideration. Not every school has this policy, which means a school may allow you to apply test, optional for admission, but not for scholarships, which would mean you'd have to submit your test scores for scholarships. So if you are applying for scholarships is important to you and you want to apply to us optional, make sure you ask that question of the schools that you're also applying too. But like I said, if you apply test optional at Washington College.

You will be consideration you will be considered for not only admission, but scholarships as well. In summary, the application has a lot of moving parts. Once you know the schools you want to apply to, it is best to take the time to get organized so you don't miss anything.

Now it's time to set sail on to our 4th Island. My favorite piece, which is the engagement piece. Like Lexie mentioned, you have the anticipation of submitting your application and after it sent most people think their job is done. However, that's not the case at this time you should pick up the phone call email somehow. Reach out to your counselor to see if we received all your materials. Think of the college application process as a portfolio so sediment submitting the application using the common application or the institution application is one part.

Submitting your recommendation letters. Your transcript and test scores, or the other materials that we need as well. So once you hit that button to submit, call an ask us if we received all the other materials as well.

Now I want to point out the idea of engaging in building a relationship with your counselor. This might be difficult at first because of the misconception of admissions counselors being scary or intimidating. But look at us, we aren't those types of people. We do this job because we have a passion for helping our students. At the end of the day, we're your advocate throughout this process. An where you are. Your voice on this campus because we built those bonds and relationships with you along the way. When we get asked by a scholarship committee why something on your application looks a certain way, we can go to bat for you because we don't just know you academically.

We also know you personally if you want to be connected with the chair of the business Department, meet with the president of the equestrian club or shadow a biology class. You connect with us and we can make that happen for you.

Even though the map states that you start engaging with your counselor in the fall or winter of your senior year, you can start talking with us today. Please visit our website and visit the admissions team. All of our lovely faces are pictured right there. All of our phone numbers, emails, Instagram handles are there as well, so contact us anyway that you feel most comfortable were able to answer any questions for you. So like I said, after the sessions today, if you had any questions about things that we talked about, or if you just want to introduce yourself and kind of tell us who you are, were happy to start that.

Engagement, peace with you that today.

By the process of elimination you've taken, you've narrowed your list down from the schools you want to do research on to the schools you visited to the schools you applied to, and now you have. Your acceptance is in hand when finding your perfect fit. It should be just that you're perfect fit, not anyone else is. There are over 4000 colleges and universities in the US alone. There is a school for everyone. Once you have those acceptances in hand, there are a few things you can do to best make your college decision.

Revisit that college wish list. Have your wishes and requirements for your future college changed since you started the process. Do you still want to be a bio major? Do you no longer want to play lacrosse on the varsity level? Is making sure you are within three hours of home now important? Where do the schools you works at the two match your wish list? Take financial aid into consideration. You are investing your time and your money and resources. Connect with each schools financial aid office to ensure you understand your financial aid. Offer letter and everything it entails.

Try to get connected with as many people in offices an in as many ways as possible. Attend open houses overnights, virtual trivia nights, getting engaged with your future college is important, and you can usually start pretty early. Above all else, remember this choices about you. If you follow your goals and wishes, you will end up at the school that is right for you.

So now let's recap, it's May 1st National College decision day and after many lists, thoughts, visits to campus, and conversations with your pet, you've officially decided to enroll at Washington College. But now what? There are four steps that you should take when you decide to enroll. The first one is to pay the non refundable deposit. This is what reserves your spot in the class, which is why this is what this is. Waht you should do first. The second one would be to educate yourself on the next steps after you deposit.

So Washington College that would include completing your housing forms, setting up your Washington College email address, and signing up for summer advising, which is when you come to campus to meet your first year advisor and pick your first semester of college courses. The third step would be to tell other schools that you were accepted somewhere else and that you decline their offer. I know this may sound weird at first, but admissions counselors will always understand and respect your decission. Since we've developed those relationships with you. Sadly, it's kind of disappointing when out of nowhere you guys ghost us.

And we never hear from you again. So just out of common courtesy email your admissions counselor. If you're declining, that's cool, and tell them You know, hey, I rescind my offer an I'm going to go somewhere else. This also is a common courtesy for other students who might be sitting on that wait list. That will give them an opportunity to bump up the list as well. Lastly, celebrate you're going to college all your hard work has paid off, and you should feel extremely proud of yourself. Just a tip, don't fall victim to senioritis. Many schools like Washington College.

Do check final grades. Should just make sure you finish strong that last semester. Have some fun to celebrate, but make sure you keep an eye on those grades.

So that concludes the formal presentation that we had for this morning, but we intentionally left time for questions and I see a couple questions have come in, which is awesome. So Kelly, I'm going to throw you this first question. Does Washington College, except dual enrollment credits? An AP credits?

Great question we do, which is awesome. Very helpful. So if you've had all that work, you know going through high school that will pay off. We do accept AP and IB credits up to 32. Typically. If you got a four or five on that exam. So once you're admitted student.

2 Washington College were able to kind of dive a little bit deeper and look at those specific courses you've taken to see if they would actually transfer to us, and if So what types. Of course, is the OR transfer into so it take a look at that. Once you're admitted student email your counselor, email us more. Happy to do that investigation for you as well.

So I saw another question, UM, does Washington College or how does Washington College review international students? Do you have regional emission directores so this is a very good question? I'm going to answer the first part of your question. Do we have regional mission directors? All of our admission staff are based at Washington College and the way that we've broken up admissions counselors is in the US. Every part of the US has an admissions counselor and then we do have Reann Rolleston who is our associate director of international admission.

And we have Cassandra Henson, who is our associate director of transfer admission. So if you are an international student, you are going to be working very closely with Rayann and she can help you through what is needed specifically for international students. Whether it's test scores or certain letters of recommendation, etc. So if you want to get connected with rayanne, her contact information is also on the Washington College website, and I saw on the same student asked a question.

About if what happens if I don't have a counselor at my high school, How do I get a recommendation letter? I recommend send an email over to ram and kind of work with her directly. She's been working within international mission for a long time and is very familiar with a lot of the schools all across the world and she'll be able to help you navigate that process. So again, our international associate director of admission is raeann will stem.

Oh Kelly, this is a great question. Does Washington College offer merit scholarships?

We do an even. The better part is you don't have to separately apply for them, so as soon as you submit your application to Washington College, you will automatically be considered for the merit based scholarships no matter what application deadline you're applying to. So looking at the merit scholarships, that's going to arrange starting at $18,000, going all the way up to $30,000 an that's renewable every four years. As long as you keep that minimum GPA requirement.

Now, if you are a member of National Honor Society at the time when you apply to us, we will automatically guarantee you to start at the 18,000 and then looking at other aspects of your application such as your GPA, your test scores. If you're applying test optional, you'll still be considered for this. We also take a look at class rank if your school offers that, we take a look at this school profile because all of your schools are very different. We've got to know a lot of our popular schools very well, so will kind of take different aspects into consideration for the merit based scholarships. But we do offer them.

And you don't have to reply separately for them, which is great.

But and Thomas asked this question about a scholarship that you do to apply for, and that's the environment and society fellows program. So this is an A scholarship and fellowship opportunity that once you are admitted but not necessarily enrolled, meaning you don't have to have enrolled at Washington College.

It is an in. It is not really an internship, but it's kind of like a fellowship. It does come with additional scholarship opportunities and it kind of gets you connected with the different faculty and staff members on our campus in the Environmental Science and Studies Department Center for environment and society getting you involved with research opportunities, outreach opportunities, networking opportunities. So that is an opportunity that you can apply for once you are admitted, Thomas, not necessarily yet enrolled and again.

If you're really interested in environment and society fellows, consider applying early decision early action, because that will guarantee you'll have your decision at hand, because those scholarships usually open up the end of January and usually have deadlines of early March. If you applied regular decision, you may not have your decision back until April, so I love that you're already thinking about that Thomas and make sure you keep that in mind that you want to get your application and so you have plenty of time to prepare for that other scholarship opportunity.

Here's a question that came in Kelly. If a student suffers from Senioritis in their grades drop, could their acceptances get revoked?

That's a good question. If you think that you might be suffering from that, or that you know you might have kind of that big thing in your life that might affect that, such as COVID-19. Let us know, reach out to admissions counselor. That's why we're here. The more that you're upfront and honest with us, the better. That's going to help you out throughout the process, so maybe even not thinking about you know your senior year, but maybe junior year you had a really rough time. Maybe you had a death in the family and you kind of see that affected in your transcript.

Reach out and let us know you know the more that you communicate with us and explain why something might look a little bit different. We might be willing to work with you a little bit more as well, so reach out, let us know and we're happy to have that conversation with you.

But you know, we uhm when you sign your commitment to enroll form, there is a you know little stipulation about if there are infractions with our honor code, or if there's been a significant negative changing grades at the college does reserve the right. But like Kelly said, the more you can communicate with us and talk with us, we want to be there to help. We want to be advocates for you. So as a great question and Long story short, we want to be here to help.

Are there programs or events at Washington College that connects students to professors or do students do that on their own time? So I'm going to assume you mean as a perspective student, but if you are curious more if your if your questions more about you know once you're a student on campus, please clarify in the question box. I'm happy to clarify, but generally at all of our open houses when they're on campus, your meeting with faculty or meeting with current students, even as a perspective student.

Our faculty really love getting to know you guys. They love hearing what you're excited about. Studying. So, to answer your question, yes, there are lots of opportunities as you're going through this college process that you'll get get to be able to connect it with professors and in our students who are in those different majors. But I guess I'm going to answer it if you're on campus as well. Our faculty just as much as they want to get to know you during a perspective student phase. They really want to get to know you when you're an enrolled student and you're taking their classes.

That you really feel and you're talking to alums here. I'll talk for both of us. You know, you really felt like your faculty members took an investment in you personally and as a student as well. They really wanted to see you be successful. So our faculty are second to not I think they are the best in the world and you really feel like they cared about you like you were their own kids. So there's tons of ways to get involved with our faculty. Whether you're a perspective student or once you're enrolled.

Kelly, how would we compare and contrast early decision and early action? What's the difference between the two?

Great question, so I would just keep in mind do not feel pressured to apply early decision by any means. Again, different schools are going to have different types of application deadlines, but early decision like Lexie mentioned is reserved for those small group of students who know without a doubt Washington Colleges. The right school for them. They want to be on Maryland's Eastern Shore. They want a small campus. They want to be right on the water and they know I don't need to apply to any other schools. I'm ready to go.

And I'm ready to commit today. Just keep in mind with early decision that is binding. So what that means is at the end of your application were going to ask that you sign a form that says yes. If I do get accepted with you, I will resend all my other applications from other schools that I've applied to and I will enroll at Washington College. So just make sure whatever application you're opening at any schools, you know which one it is 'cause I want to make sure that you're not binding yourself to something that you're not too sure about yet.

Now comparing that to early action early action is non binding, but it just gives you that earlier notification of your acceptance into the school. So for us that deadline is December 1st for you to apply early action, so typically you'll know around the Holidays if you were accepted or not. So again by the new year you're going to have that entire spring semester to make your decision and kind of give yourself more time. Like we mentioned two with scholarships if you want as much consideration for scholarships as possible, I would highly encourage you to apply early action.

That's gonna give you time if you are nominated for those scholarships. If you want to apply for those scholarships on your own to get in those other materials at those scholarships might ask for as well.

Well, I'm going to piggyback on that answer. These two other questions that came in how do we get accepted into Presidential Fellows and what are the benefits to early action other than getting an earlier response? So Katie, to answer your question at Washington College, really applying early action it. It allows you to get your acceptance before all those other scholarships are. Do. Some other schools may have other benefits to applying early action, and that's where you're going to want to build that list and figure out what's the right deadline for me based on all the opportunities at all the schools.

But at Washington College to kind of tie in this other question, if you want to be considered for Presidential Fellows, which is kind of like an honors program at the college. But it is not an honors College, it is just additional fellowship program. It is invitation only. You must apply by the early action deadline in order to be considered. So that is a huge benefit. That's kind of step one based on students applications, so long as they've applied by the early action deadline, we extend invitations to those students.

And this is an example of when there's a supplemental essay. There's an essay that you have to fill out and then based on your application in your essay, we invite students to interview for their spot. An additional scholarship opportunities. So Long story short, other than getting in earlier response, which could be a big benefit for some, it really does come with a lot of additional scholarship opportunities that you can apply for.

Great questions you guys. Before we wrap up, are there any last minute questions that we can answer for anybody?

Will give you a second to type those out.

OK, yeah Kelly, this came up in our last session. Can I send in an application and send in my test scores if they are outstanding? So can I can I send part of my application now and then see how I do on the October essay Tees?

Yes, of course, and that's a great way to kind of get yourself started in the application process. So like I said, it's a portfolio you know you don't have to send everything right all at once unless you have it all. So if you want to send in the common application and you have everything for that on August 1st, great, send it in. But if you don't have your scores until October, that's fine will keep your application open until then.

Once we get all those materials is when we actually read your application, so we won't hit read until we have all the materials of that portfolio. So yes, that's fine if your test date isn't until November 1st, that's fine, you know. Again, just let us know if you know that information ahead of time and we're happy to kind of keep your application there and just wait until we have all your materials.

Three questions guys.

How diverse would you consider the campus? Is there a separate living area for underclassmen? I love this question as I mentioned in my opening, 7% of our students are international students. 19% of our students are students of color geographically were coming from all over the country all over the world. Our female to male ratio is just about 5545%.

There's you know, great celebration of political diversity. We have college Republicans. We have college Democrats, so there's a lot of ways that we think about diversity and we have the office of intercultural affairs that has ambassadors for students. We have a really large first generation population on our campus which we're really excited about. So we think of diversity in many different ways. An as two alarms, I think we're excited to see how our campus is changing and evolving, so that's a little bit about the facts of our diversity.

But the office of intercultural fares is a huge celebration of all areas of diversity on our campus and the student interns are a big part of that as well. There is a part of campus that is reserved for underclassmen, but you may find that upperclassmen lived there as well. There are singles in those buildings, but you're all rains are going to be upperclassmen, but generally we try to have all of our first year students living in one part of campus to really develop yourselves as a cohort so you can really get to know each other and then move through your four years together.

Not.

But after your freshman year, you're welcome to still live in one of those storms. They, uhm, you know are right near the dining Hall, which is a huge benefit of living in those storms. But you have. You have opportunities to live in other places as well, and I want to sneak in Thomas's question before we wrapped up 'cause I think it's a great question that everybody would should know the answer too. I was hoping to visit in person. I know we miss seeing you guys. Would you recommend waiting to interview or how else can I interview? So Kelly take this question away and then we'll see you guys off.

This is a great question to kind of end on as well. So if you were hoping to start the relationship with their counselor today, I would interview. We have virtual interviews that we offer. I've given several already and very excited to meet all of my very eager rising seniors, which is great. So if you're willing to and you feel comfortable doing a virtual

interview, I would say go for it. You know if you have the time, you're starting to end classes or may be done with classes right now starting your summer. If you have some extra time to reach out to us, schedule a virtual interview. We offer them every day throughout the week, so we're very flexible on time. If one of those times doesn't workout again, reach out to us. We can schedule a separate time for you, so if you feel comfortable doing the virtual interaction, I would say go for it and then keep an eye on our website. When and if we do open for personal visits again, feel free to come back in. We can meet again.

We can kind of do that more casual chit chat in the visitor center were willing to do that for you as well.

Well, thank you all so much for joining us. If we didn't get to your question will try to get back to you early next week and you'll hear from your admissions counselor, but we hope you guys had a good morning with us. It was really, you know, exciting to do this virtual open house. Thank you all very much for your time and have a great rest of your weekend. See you.

Thank you everyone by.