Hi ! I’m going on a campus tour of Carlow on Saturday and am going to meet my admissions counselor ,Samantha Noblit . Samantha and I have been communicating via email (she reached out to me after I filled out an interest form from Carlow and talked to a Carlow representative at Pittsburgh’s college fair .) what does it mean when a admissions counselor reaches out to you first? Are they looking at me as a prospective student ? She told me I can have an admissions decision by my senior year .(I’m a junior now.) should I bring my transcript with me to the university? I’m so nervous what should I wear to look professional? The same thing I wore to the college fair?Do you think she looked into my transcript already ? Why did she contact me first ? Her job is to recruit students and is she recruiting me? What kinds of questions should I ask her since all my questions were answered by her already? Like should I ask about academic scholarships ? Should I tell her about my 504 plan now ? I have it because of my depression and I’ve been diagnosed by several psychologists and clinicians . (I want to join their psychology program and be a therapist for adolescents )thank you so much!
First off, relax! Yes, the admissions representative is recruiting you in that at a minimum, she wants you to apply, and if you match their standards for admissions, they want you as a student. She will probably spend most of the meeting selling you on Carlow. Many small private colleges are anxious to get students due to the declining number of high school graduates due to demographic changes. So some schools actively reach out to prospective students. Dress neatly, but you don’t have to wear a suit or dress. It can’t hurt to bring your transcript with you.
Some ideas for questions that you may not have asked:
- Pertaining to my transcript, am I taking the right courses for Carlow?
- What do you think is special about Carlow?
- What kind of scholarships and financial aid do you offer?
- Are there internships/co-ops available?
- What kind of student support services are available (academic and for mental health)?
- What is your placement into graduate programs?
- Are there opportunities to take classes at other Pittsburgh universities?
- Is there a psychology club?
I think you will find the meeting much easier than you think!
Should I tell her about my 504 education plan or wait till I apply?
This isn’t an area I know a lot about. Here is a thread that discusses it:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/952035-504-plan-can-it-hurt.html
She reached out to you because smaller colleges are working harder these days to attract students. This shows that she is doing her job well.
Colleges are more aware than ever that many students coming in have various issues. It’s not surprising, they’re teenagers!!! As you conduct your college search, look for a school that provides a lot of avenues of support for incoming students, academically, socially, and psychologically. Smaller schools are often, though not always, better at this. Good luck. You’ll find your place!
There is no need to mention your 504 plan at this point. In fact it is not something that has to be noted to Admissions at any point in the process (unless you chose to through your essay etc.). Many on CC who know more than I do suggest that you refrain from bringing up issues related to depression as it can scare some colleges.
You can wait until you are accepted and then contact the school’s Office of Disability Services to be sure 1) what paperwork/testing you need to qualify for the accommodations you require and 2) to be sure the college is able to provide what you need.
In terms of dress, I’d say business casual is fine. If you are female that would be nice pants, a blouse, and nice shoes or a skirt and blouse – nothing revealing. For a guy I’d say nice pants, a button down shirt (a sweater if it is cold) and shoes (even topsiders in good shape) would be fine.
what does it mean when a admissions counselor reaches out to you first? It’s their job to recruit potential students.
Are they looking at me as a prospective student ? Yes. A student means 4+ years of tuition and fees. Of course they are looking at you.
She told me I can have an admissions decision by my senior year .(I’m a junior now.) – right. You apply in the fall and they’ll inform you of the decision according to their time lines (readily available on each college’s websites)
should I bring my transcript with me to the university? No
I’m so nervous what should I wear to look professional? The same thing I wore to the college fair? No. That’d be overdoing it. Don’t be sloppy but just be comfortable. This isn’t an interview for a job. They want to show off their campus to you.
Do you think she looked into my transcript already ? How could she?
Why did she contact me first ? and is she recruiting me? Her job is to recruit students. Your name is likely on a list they bought. They see you and they see $100,000.
It has a 95% admittance rate.
Their selectivity criteria is not very high.
SAT (25th-75th percentile) 1275-1555 (out of 2400)
ACT (25th-75th percentile) 17-23 (out of 36)
Please relax – you’ll do fine.
But is it affordable? It’s a private school with about $26K/year tuition. Perhaps speak w/your guidance counselor on what a college visit is supposed to be like. Yes, you want to find a place that will have you – but there are many choices. Don’t simply jump because they show some interest. Believe me, once you take the ACT or SAT, you’ll be getting hundreds of brochures/emails requests to visit.