Lessons in College Admissions T he recent bribery scandal in college admissions has led college admissions professionals to take a step back and to re-evaluate the overall process for the betterment of the students and families which they serve. True college admissions professionals are committed to helping families find the most appropriate college for their students and to assist families in navigating the application process. There are several professional organizations which follow a comprehensive code of ethics when they work with students. National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), and Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) members are professionals who specialize in college admissions. They understand and adhere to high ethical standards in all their interactions with clients and institutions and work exclusively on behalf of their clients and families. The process for finding the right school, university, or program for each student is anxiety inducing and increasingly complicated. The overall goal is to reduce tension and stress for the families navigating through the process. In response to the reports of an FBI probe and Justice Department charges for college officials from elite institutions,
wealthy parents, coaches, and others— in this long-running admissions bribery scheme, IECA CEO Mark Sklarow said,
“The charges presented today exemplify the intense anxiety that even some wealthy parents feel about their children being admitted to their preferred colleges.” Parents and students should keep the following advice in mind. The college search and application process should be an exciting time for students and their families. If anyone in any setting is exerting pressure or causing undue anxiety and pressure, be cautious. If the student or family is told someone has “inside” information, can pull strings, provide shortcuts to admission, or give a special advantage (for a fee or otherwise), they are being misled. Does it really matter where the student goes to college? This is a frequently asked question by parents and students. The quality and type of education offered at the thousands of higher education institutions in our country are varied, esteemed, and positively open doors and develop minds. It matters, but what matters more is how a student goes from applicant to accepted student and everything in between. The most important work that consultants, counselors, mentors, and parents do, when done correctly, is to focus solely on the student. Aiding the student toward personal development-- a sense of self, purpose, and voice, is the most important work that ethical educational consultants do. If, through the process, the student
discovers a greater understanding of self and of what he or she stands for, that matters. If it makes the student own the reality that his or her worth is not attached to the outcome of a particular acceptance from a particular school, that also matters. A lesson which I try to instill in my students is that a college does not make a student; students must make the most of their college experience. Many wonderful postsecondary options exist for every student, and no student should be made to feel that he or she must become something he or she is not to get accepted. The “best fit” school is one which meets the needs of a student academically, socially, and financially. It is essential that the student presents one’s authentic self and demonstrates one’s own talents and abilities throughout the search and application process in order to ensure that the potential school is the right fit. Every student is a unique individual and the college admissions process should be centered around each student’s needs in an academic and social setting. The vast majority of admissions officers, school counselors, and IECs are ethical and compassionate professionals who dedicate their careers to advising students and families. NEPA Career and College Counseling Associates – Excellence in Career and College Preparation – is available to help students find their ideal career and college major. Contact Jennifer Severini-Kresock, who is an experienced private career and college counselor, at (570) 702-5700 or jkresock@nepacareerandcollegecounseling.com. H