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College Counseling for the “B/C Student” . Shannon Gaggero Sky Chandler. We will cover…. Initial meeting Inspiring the driver Getting students to tour colleges Campus rep visits/college fairs Financial aid Essays Myth busting Which colleges?. Initial Meeting . Build rapport
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College Counseling for the“B/C Student” Shannon Gaggero Sky Chandler
We will cover… • Initial meeting • Inspiring the driver • Getting students to tour colleges • Campus rep visits/college fairs • Financial aid • Essays • Myth busting • Which colleges?
Initial Meeting • Build rapport • Don’t overwhelm – focus on immediate concerns (researching schools, SAT/ACT) • Learn context, demographics, family history, LDs, high school experience • Explore career ideas – personality, interests • Build confidence, address fears
Inspire the driver! • Student is driver, you are navigator • Manage expectations – cost, time commitment • Activate family involvement – call parents • Incentivize participation • “College-Bound (mascot) of the month” and/or “Alumni of the Month” board • Student panels are highly effective
Getting students to tour colleges • Potential barriers: parents work, intimidation, multi-step process, confusion about when to start, “drive around” vs. tour • Make it appealing to parents • Make it easy • Reward & invite students to report to peers after tours • Preview Day Calendar
Campus Rep Visits / College Fairs • Community College fairs = easy & effective • Keep intentional database of dynamic reps • Incentivize student participation • Invite alumni back for a panel to share about their colleges • Invite parents to come to school for the rep visits / college fairs • College fairs – on the spot admissions
Financial Aid • Major concern. Explain investment concept • Show EFC calculators on school websites • EOP/Special programs for 1st Gen students • Local scholarships key: Banks, churches, Rotary clubs, parents’ employers, Greek orgs • Collaborate with colleagues
Essays • B/C students may be especially anxious or unmotivated about writing application essays • Have a brainstorming session with the student • Build their confidence – they DO have a story to tell and a personality to share. • Manage expectations – explain that they WILL do multiple drafts. • Make deadlines for their drafts to be due to you. • Do not edit student’s voice! • Essay Reader volunteer program
Myth busting for the B/C student • Stanford/Harvard on college list • Unknown private college = bad school • Community College/CSU as a negative • Must know career path NOW! (nurse!!) • Out of state = more expensive
So what colleges? • No right answer! One size does not fit all • Factors to consider: • Remediation/learning support offered • 1st gen programs/summer bridge • Private schools have more flexibility in admissions • Regional Admissions Counselors of California • CC transfer to CSU/UC/Private • HBCUs/Hispanic serving institutions
Final Thoughts • Calming parents’ nerves with communication • Help with transition to increased independence (laundry, food, etc.) • Transition program – Beyond 12 • National Clearinghouse data (5,000 records costs $425/year) • Data is your friend