CONTACT, CONTACT, CONTACT

Right now, as the leaves begin to fall, college reps are scouring the country, visiting three, four, five schools like Hill a day. Why? To contact as many potential applicants as they can. Every school wishes to attract as many applicants as possible: the more applicants, the more selective they can become; the more selective they become, the more prestigious they appear. The more prestigious they appear.... They are looking for as many names, addresses and phone numbers as they can possibly find. That is why they all carry thick stacks of inquiry cards, which they hope to bring back to their deans, filled out and ready to go into their computer banks. Now, then, is the time to take advantage of their doing so. Given the extreme competitiveness of the 90's so far -- a competitiveness that is increasing every year -- every possible way of making yourself stand out as a candidate should be utilized.

One way is to make and maintain a positive contact with someone within the admissions staff of any school you are interested in. Introducing yourself to a college rep during their visit to Hill is an ideal way to do this. MAKE SURE YOU GET A BUSINESS CARD WITH THEIR NAME/PHONE/EMAIL ADDRESS! Afterwards, stay in touch by phone or by email. Have questions to ask each time. Always be polite and positive about the school. These things make a positive impression on the college rep that can make all the difference when the time comes for that school to make its choice about you. Amidst thousands of strong applicants in any given year, the ones where personal contact has been made will be among those that will stand out. Every college, no matter how small, receives at least several thousand applications each year. Many of those are strong possibilities for that school. It is key, therefore, that Hill applicants do everything possible to distinguish themselves from those many other eligible competitors. Taking advantage of this time when nearly every college admissions officer is out on the road looking for contacts can be your first step toward standing out.

Once contact has been made, you then wish to maintain it. Reading the college catalogue, viewing the college's website, etc., can be a way to generate good questions -- questions that show that you are taking your college search seriously and that you are serious about that school. Write those questions down as they occur to you. When you go to call or email that rep, have that list of questions in front of you. It makes a very positive impression and you will stand out from your competitors.

Once such contact has been made follow it up with an interview and/or overnight visit. You may wish to specifically request that same college rep for your interview. If the contact has gone well, you would probably feel more comfortable with someone you have already met, unless you would prefer a "second opinion." In either case, the impression you are creating at that school is that here is someone who is truly THINKING about his/her college search and is REALLY enthusiastic about this school. THAT is the kind of impression that WILL stand out!