Blogs and College Recruiting
- Cleanliness of the dorm showers
- Quality of dining hall food
- Likelihood of getting parking tickets while parked on campus
These are just a few examples of the kind of insider information potential students can access on student blogs.
Student bloggers are letting potential students know the scoop about campus life that they won't find in a college catalog or discuss during a campus visit with admissions personnel. And many schools post links to these student blogs on the school's website.
Many schools realize the value of student blogs about life on campus and use them as the next generation of admission tools to recruit new students. Blogs serve as an interactive, online diary of life on campus, and they're attracting the attention of the MySpace generation.
These blogs are popular among prospective students. At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), admitted students rank the student blogs on the school's website among the top factors influencing their decision to attend MIT.
The Qualities Colleges Look For In Students
Most college-bound students want to know what college admissions counselors are looking for when they evaluate applications. We've compiled a list of the top 10 qualities college admissions officers seek in prospective students:
- A challenging high school curriculum
- Grades that represent strong effort and an upward trend
- Solid scores on standardized tests (ACT and SAT), although some colleges no longer require submission of standardized test scores
- Passionate involvement in a few activities, demonstrating leadership and initiative
- Letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors that give evidence of integrity, special skills, positive character traits, and an interest in learning
- Special talents or experiences that will contribute to an interesting and well-rounded student body
- A well-written essay that provides insight into the student's personality, values, and goals
- Enthusiasm in attending the college
- Work and community service experience that shows dedication and responsibility
- Demonstrated intellectual curiosity through reading, school, and leisure pursuits
How to Select a College
College-bound students should consider many factors when researching colleges.
The first thing students should do is identify the "environment" that best matches their personality. Are they an urban dweller thirsting to wake up in a city that never sleeps, or someone looking for a quiet place to enjoy life at a slower pace?
Identifying a college major could be the biggest factor in determining their college choice, especially if their major is offered at a limited number of colleges.
Students should also determine if they're interested in attending a small college or more interested in attending a large college or university. Small colleges offer smaller classes, hands-on learning opportunities, individually designed majors, and more personal attention. Large colleges, by contrast, offer a greater variety of majors and courses, a wide range of academic and social opportunities, and well-stocked libraries.
Other factors your college-bound student(s) should consider include:
- Affiliation (public, private, independent, church-affiliated, etc.)
- Location (urban, rural, etc.)
- Student body (coed, minority representation, etc.)
- Academic environment (majors offered, student-to-faculty ratio, facilities, etc.)
- Financial aid, student services, activities, and athletics
Your college-bound student(s) can search for the school of their dreams in the College Search on EducationPlanner.org. This undergraduate school search database contains information on nearly 4,000 accredited 2- and 4-year colleges and universities across the United States and Canada.
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