College Counseling for the“B/C Student”

Shannon GaggeroSky 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

Questions/Comments?