Taking Root
Branch Out College and Career Advising Blog
Getting Denied…
This links to an article that’s worth reading- especially if you didn’t get in to your first choice college.
Here’s some quotes from those who didn’t get into their first choice, and the link to the full article from Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr.
First choice was UCLA; went to UC, Santa Barbara.
"I always thought I'd go to UCLA. ... I ended up not only loving the smaller atmosphere [at Santa Barbara}, but the central coast in general. I was there when [the movie] Sideways happened ... and ended up starting a wine business ... Those were good years, also because my wife happened to transfer in..."
--Mark Aselstine, founder, Uncorked Ventures
First choice was either Sarah Lawrence College or Vassar; went to Marymount Manhattan College.
"Because I wound up going to school in the big city, major things happened for me. From working in bra-fitting retail jobs that would eventually bring me on TV shows like The Martha Stewart Show … to meeting my husband. I've now been living in NYC for 15 years … [It] forced me to grow up a bit faster, yes, and it also helped me grow in other ways that I couldn't have even imagined."
--Kim Caldwell, owner, Hurray Media
First choice: Harvard; went to Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
"I had always wanted to go to Harvard, not necessarily because I knew anything about it but because it was Harvard. I ended up going to MIT instead, which in retrospect was a far better choice for me as I would not have fit in at Harvard at all, although I fit in quite well at MIT. "
--Steve Silberberg, FitPacking
First choice: Brown University; went to University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth.
"I applied to Brown University … I thought I was a shoe-in. ... I wasn't accepted! ... After I processed my grief and devastation ... It was at UMASS Dartmouth that I discovered my love for psychology and decided to switch my major from pre-med. To say [my current role] is a dream job is an understatement."
--Erin Reynolds, PsyD, Clinical Director, Baylor Scott & White Sports Concussion Program at The Star
First choice: Columbia University; went to NYU.
"I got rejected from Columbia University and it worked out in my favor because at New York University, I got my housing paid for. At [that] time, I needed a home because I was also homeless. I didn't have family to stay with, so the dormitory became my home."
--Tamara Murray
First choice: Dartmouth; went to: Northwestern University.
"I applied early admission to Dartmouth and got rejected, and then applied regular admission and got rejected a second time (I wonder how many people can say that?).
"I went to Northwestern University instead and met some of my best friends to this day, 20+ years later. … I think the silver lining was realizing that I'm much more of a midwest/west coast girl than east coast, although I now live in Texas, so I should probably add south to the list as well!"
--Heidi McBain, professional counseling for women, HeidiMcBain.com.
First choice: Duke University; went to: University of Rhode Island.
"I grew up in Providence, R.I., attending Classical High School. ... Not wanting to go to college in my home town, I summarily dismissed Brown and insisted I would go to Duke. I made some tragic mistakes on my application. I was heartbroken.
My guidance counselor applied for me to the University of Rhode Island. I received numerous scholarships and financial aid. I got my MBA from UCLA [and] I carried an enormous chip on my shoulder … I used this chip to graduate early, start multiple businesses, sit on boards ... and be one of the young donors who gives back to URI. [Also], I did meet my wife at URI."
--Chris Jarvis, Jarvis Tower
First choice: Notre Dame University; went to: Indiana University.
"I'd been rejected. I sat in that empty classroom and cried for a few minutes. What was I supposed to do now? I ended up going to Indiana University, and honestly, it was amazing. I [took] my first creative writing classes at IU with amazing professors. … I ended up exactly where I needed to be with friends and faculty who have continued to shape my life to this day."
--Annie Sullivan, author, A Touch of Gold
First choice: New York University; went to: Syracuse
"I'm from Arkansas. I grew up around farmers and farmland. Half of my life
was spent with chickens in my backyard. NYC ... I could feel the pull of the city. ... I fell in love with NYU. But alas, I was rejected. I chose to attend Syracuse University instead due to their strong business program. … Orange pride quickly grew on me!
Any suggestions to consider transferring were shot down with a nice, 'No thanks. Bless your heart.' ... In fact, if everything had happened in the way that I planned, I wouldn't be as far ahead in my career as I am now. So yes, things certainly worked out."
-Frank Walker, TD Securities
Be Proactive To Develop Habits of Success
ADHD is often lumped in with the ‘hidden disabilities’. It is not easily detected by others, and the difficulties that come with it can therefore be dismissed or ignored. Even students who have found ways to manage their disability well should prepare in advance for the changes that will come with college life.
Some aspects of college life are well-suited to students with ADHD. College offers more choice in classes, less time in the classroom, and more opportunity to manage their environment to what’s best for them. However, this additional flexibility and freedom can be the very thing that causes interference if not approached with a plan. The expectations in college rely heavily on one’s ability to manage due dates, deadlines, time management, and effectively study. Students with ADHD can lag in the development of these skills by several years compared to their peer group. It can be helpful for families to support the student in a proactive way prior to their leaving for college.
Students with ADHD will want to practice the habits for success well before they attempt college. To do this, they will need a strong support system that helps a student learn the necessary routines and skills before they are expected to do it on their own. Additionally, students that have an understanding of their disability, the impacts it has, and how they can access support are much more likely to recognize when they need help. Some accommodations received in high school may also be available at the college level, so contacting Disability Services is an important first step to taking classes. Self-advocacy skills developed prior to college will lead to more follow through for these services in higher education. Students should be encouraged to create a new support network on their college campus early on so that if extra help is needed, they know just where to go. This will help them implement a plan to address things before there is failure. It’s helpful to remind students that needing help isn’t a sign of failure- the responsible student recognizes when they need support and seeks it out from the available resources. The support provided in this way doesn’t take away from any of the actual learning and work to be done. It just helps to work around the obstacles.
What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?
I love asking this question! It can be the start to an easy and fun conversation. Or it can fall flat. I admit, it’s usually more lighthearted when asking little kids because they almost always pop off quick responses- either several totally unrelated ideas like firefighter and actor, sometimes very definite single ideas like Panda Doctor. Kids aren’t worried about the details of the college degree required, the expected job market or salary, or even if they are suited to the work.
Asking a teenager or college bound student this question can have a very different feel. The fun and lightness is much more tempered, if there at all. Apathy is a common response, which could be in response to just not knowing how to make such a lasting decision. This is why career exploration can be so helpful. This can begin in small ways at a very young age. As kids get older, they can start thinking of the things that interest them, the natural strengths they posses and how these might play out into career and college study. A focused study of a student’s interests and strengths (and their dislikes and areas of struggle) can help materialize vague notions into specifics. And this can be the missing link that leads to enthusiasm and brightness when asked about their career and college goals.
I can’t overstate the benefit of grounding a student’s ideas of career and college study before they start college. It’s true that the first two years of college are dedicated to general ed. And I embrace the exploration that occurs with class choices. This is what allowed me to take Jazz Appreciation, and British Life and Culture. But, within the general ed exists details that can influence the amount of time for degree completion. Many majors have pre-requisites that are taken as part of the general ed coursework. For students who have given serious thought to potential majors, they can take related classes to test it out before completely committing.
Going into college with a few ideas doesn’t mean the decision has been made. Instead, it serves as part of the process of making informed decisions. It provides more structure to the student who works better when there’s a system to follow. It develops in the student a perspective to career choice that is specific to them. And in this process, a natural motivation permeates a process that may have previously felt cloudy.
Helpful Resources
The links below will help you as you research your college options.
Khan Academy, SAT Prep: (FREE!)
Free resource for preparing for the SAT, including practice tests
LINK: https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
Colleges That Change Live
Provides college profiles, events, and tips on researching colleges to find a best-fit.
LINK: https://ctcl.org/
Unigo
A college match option creates a list of best-fit colleges just for you. It also has scholarship matching.
https://www.unigo.com/
The College Board
A popular source for initial college searching. Filters allow a search with specific criteria such as size, price, demographics, etc. Allows students to save their searches (helpful hint: remember your password- you’ll want to save these).
LINK: https://www.collegeboard.org/
10,000 Degrees
Dedicated to helping low-income students access college. On the following local campuses: Archbishop Hanna, Casa Grande, Creekside, Elsie Allen, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Piner, Sonoma Valley
https://www.10000degrees.org/
Paying For College, The Princeton Review & Kalman Chany
An up to date resource to help you make your financial plan for college.
LINK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/599640/paying-for-college-2020-edition-by-the-princeton-review-and-kalman-s-chany/