RowCollege

Interviewing? Be Prepared.

Have an upcoming Admission's interview? Be prepared to get—and to ask—questions.

Often recruits think that the interview process is designed specifically for the college to ask questions of applicants—to help screen them. Well, that is part of what happens. The other part is the applicant getting info about the school.

This is where it pays to be prepared.

Certainly brochures, videos, class visits, and tours help you get information. But don't miss out on the best way to get info that can really help with your decision—ask questions. Many of them. To everyone. The answers are important, and possibly just as important are the way your questions are received.

And one place where you should expect to get good answers (to good questions) is from the interviewer. To be an interviewer he or she should know a great deal about the school. So find out. Ask about the social environment, job placement, retention rate, graduation rate, the safety on campus . . . the list is long. [Here is an article that might prompt some questions to ask.]

Questions and answers are best when they are relevant—so do some studying. Brush up on the specifics of the school where you are interviewing. Trade notes with your parent/s about questions they need answers to. Make a list, and bring it out when the time is right.

Questions are a great way to learn, but don't be dismayed by an "I don't know," response. When followed by, "but I will find out," an "I don't know" might just mean that you are dealing with an honest person.

And that is a great trait to have at an institution of higher learning.

Related posts:

• YOU need to get your name out there.
• Preparing for an interview? Try this.

Seniors—Give Yourself a Present for 2008

If you are like most college seniors, this can be a very stressful time. You're most likely sending off college applications, waiting to hear if someone far away thinks you are good enough to come join them. And you've got grades to worry about.

Not to mention all those New Year's resolutions and promises for the coming year.

Here is a little something that might help relieve some of that stress—give yourself a present. That's right a present just for you. You can do it right now, and it won't cost you one penny. Honest. And it might just well be a present that you like quite a bit, especially during the stress of the college search.

And the present is?—answer this question: What did you accomplish in 2007?

Simple enough, what good stuff did you get done in the 365 days of the year 2007?

Grab writing stuff and start scribbling down all of the things, small or large, that you did that were cool, fun, helpful, or insightful this past year.

Did you help around the house? Take out the trash, feed the pet(s), wash a car? Write it down.

And school, did you do well there? Improve your grades, help a fellow student, stay awake in the world's most boring class? Write it down.

How about rowing? Win a race, make a boat, improve your skills, be nice to a coxswain/rower/sculler? Put it/them on the paper.

Two things. First, it doesn't matter how small the action or achievement was—if you accomplished something, down it goes. Second, don't be shy, and certainly don't edit. This is your list—your eyes only, okay to brag.

When you're done, look it over. Accomplishments, even a few small things are something to take pride in, and build on for next year.

And if you don't have much on your list? A new year is coming!

Image: My Office Online

Surviving a College Rejection—But It Is Not You

Last post I discussed handling a rejection from a college you've applied to.

What if the rejection comes, and it is not for you? What if it is a teammate who is rejected, but you got into the school—then what? And what if that person is a good friend?

You are happy for you, and sad for the friend. What do you say? How do you act?

This is the type of situation that happens so often in life—an unexpected glitch. And so often we think (at least I know I do) that we are not prepared for it. Don't know what to do.

But you do know what to do . . . and most likely you've learned what to do way back in kindergarten. Treat the person as you would like to be treated. Be nice, supportive, honest, mad—be you, and treat your friend as you would want him/her to treat you.

And it is also time for open conversation with:

your parents, who might have insights to share that can help, and

your coach, who might be able to help within the team setting, and

yourself, talk it through, and try to get your feelings and thoughts straight.

And yes, I know, I suggested this in my last post but here it is again—try laughing. Read, Students give prizes for worst college rejection letters. It might help.

Images: My Office Online

Surviving a College Rejection

You've been waiting, and waiting, and waiting . . . and finally the letter comes.

But it doesn't look and feel like you expect. And it certainly doesn't read that way either.

Rejection!

You didn't get in. "Thanks for applying, but sorry—no go!" What to do?

I tell my rowers that how they handle themselves directly after they lose a race is an indication of not only their character, but their passion. Pretty much the same with a college rejection letter, how you handle the next steps can tell you a lot.

The following articles offer several views of what to do next. Good articles with good advice.

Dealing with Rejection

A College Rejection Letter Might Be Disappointing, but It's Not the End of the World

Rejected: Now What? What to Do When Colleges Say No

Getting Rejected and Moving on

And I will chime in with one piece of advice, try laughing. It might seem like there is nothing funny at all in rejection but that greatest humorist Groucho Marx has an insight that might help. He was credited with saying, "I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member." You might also find this letter a help.

A Great Rejection Letter

Keep smiling, it will work out.

photo by desi.italy

Why You Should Care What You Say Online

Social networking on-line sites, such as Facebook and MySpace, are really interesting places, where you can learn a lot about someone.

Colleges know that.

A recent article in the Dayton Daily News, Online Profiles a Factor in College Admissions, discusses how colleges are looking at an applicant's on line profile

If you're a high school junior or senior, you're probably working hard to get into college — researching schools online, preparing applications, taking grueling SATs and ACTs and writing the perfect essay. Maybe you have an air-tight application.

But you could still blow it, with something you thought was harmless fun: Your online profile.

Colleges are now going online, searching for information about applicants, and focusing in on these social sites as a great source of information. It is happening in more than a few colleges. According to the author:

. . . earlier this fall, a University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth study of 453 college admissions departments found that 26 percent of them are actively researching students through search engines such as Google and 21 percent are checking out social networking profiles when reviewing applicants.

And, according to the article, colleges, currently flooded with applications, are using what they find online to help them make selections.

So what to do if you, or someone you know, has a vibrant on line presence. A few suggestions:

• Read the article. It is well written, and insightful
• Take steps to change any follies that might be online
• Be very thoughtful about what you post in the future

I suggest to our applicants to operate under what I call the Grandmother Rule. If what you put online would upset your favorite grandmother, in any manner, don't do it.

A Little Reading Might Help . . .

Rowing in college can be great fun. But sometimes figuring out the details and requirements of how to get into your program of choice can be very confusing.

A major area of confusion for parents and recruits are the NCAA regulations (equally confusing for coaches, if not more so). Almost all colleges will have a professional on staff who is an expert in the NCAA rules.

And you? Who can help you navigate through the steps and rules you need to know, besides the college employee?

The NCAA, realizing the confusion many recruits and their families go through have put out a document that you might find helpful. It will not answer all of your questions, but it is a good place to start. If you are just beginning your search, Page 23, Questions to Ask as You Consider Colleges, can be very insightful.

Below is the link, once you are on the page, click on the first link that appears to view the document:

2007-08 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete

Happy reading.

Related posts:

• The Flavors of Rowing, Pick Yours
• 13 Must on Your College Visit
• Gather Great Insight About a College in Three Easy Visits

photo by: liewcf