The College Journey: Campus Visits, the Application Essay, and Four Things to Know About Admissions

Applying to college is undoubtedly an important step in life. However, the various components of college admissions can make the process feel overwhelming. The best thing to do is ensure you have the information you need and take it one step at a time.

Recently, we spoke with Keith Wilkerson, Founder and Lead Teacher for CollegeThoughts. Keith has over 21 years of experience in the college placement field and has counseled more than 7,000 families about their educational options. Here are Keith’s insights on how best to navigate this difficult but potentially life-changing process.

How do you get started on the college search?

Students often make the mistake of starting the college search by trying to figure out who they need to be for colleges to take an interest in them, but the college search should begin with a solid understanding of who you are and who you are becoming. Consider what a college could offer that would allow you to move toward your future career. Think about the community that you will need around you to help you get through challenging times. How far away from home do you honestly want to be, and what type of weather makes you feel happiest? If you are honest with yourself about what you need to thrive, your search will be easier than if you spend your time chasing big name universities.

What should you be looking for during a college visit?

When students visit a college, they should definitely do the standard information session and tour, but the college visit has only begun at that point. Wander around campus a bit if you can, and see what the campus is like outside of the pre-packaged spiel. Ask students what they enjoy about their school and what they would change. Eat in the student center or in a dining hall if you can (it’s good to get a sense of those spaces–you’ll be spending a lot of time there). The better your sense of all the components of the college culture, the better you will be able to determine if it is a right fit for you.

What insider tips do you have for the essay portion of the application?

I always suggest that students start with the story that they want to tell instead of beginning with the prompts on the Common Application. What could you share about yourself that is so authentic to who you are as a person that no one else could tell the same story in the same way? 

What are the four most important things for a parent to know about the admissions process?

1. It’s never too early to start preparing to finance a college education for your child. Get advice from a professional to ensure that you are ready for the rapidly increasing cost of a college education.
2. Polls show that students most often respect the voice of the college counselor over that of their parents when they are making decisions about applying to college, but please don’t use that as a reason to distance yourself from the process. As the resident experts on your children, they need you more than they might realize right now.
3. Rigor counts just as much as grades. Just because your student wants to get As in classes, that doesn’t excuse taking an easy course load in school. Encourage your student to do their best in challenging classes so that they get the most that they can out of their high school experience and show colleges that they can handle a tough curriculum.
4. Control the noise. You are going to get SO MUCH ADVICE when your child goes through the application process, and most of it will come from people who care deeply but know little. Your friend’s child’s favorite school won’t necessarily be a conducive fit for your child, and that one uncle who knows something about everything doesn’t have the best advice for how to prepare for the ACT. Determine who the core team will be that will make the decisions about how your family proceeds on the journey to college, and try your hardest to keep outside noise from distracting you from reaching your goal with as little stress as possible.