Getting Into Your First Choice School

Last year I attended the annual conference of the New Jersey Association for College Admissions Counseling.One of the guest speakers was Chuck Bachman, Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Lafayette College. Mr. Bachman had a number of interesting things to say.One of the audience members asked him to share some insider secrets to getting accepted at Lafayette, a competitive college. Here’s his list (I’m quoting Chuck):

1. Visit the school. Make sure we know you were here. Log in at Admissions.
2. Visit the faculty in the department in which you’re intending to enroll.
3. Write a follow-up note saying what you got out of your Lafayette visit.
4. When you write, write me a “real” letter, not an email.
5. Make sure to do a local alumni interview.
6. Demonstrate your tenacity. One way to do this is to keep pushing until you talk to me directly. That may not be easy. But it will indicate to us your seriousness of purpose.

A short, valuable list. Nothing too difficult or complicated here. I’m not sure that his suggestions would work equally well at all colleges and universities, but they will certainly do you well at many, many schools.One other tidbit. Chuck declared that #1 and #6 above will not only get you extra admissions consideration, but will also likely increase your financial aid package.A word to the wise should be sufficient.

Ian Welham helps students find their perfect fit college and helps parents pay for it. You can find him at Complete College Planning Solutions, on Facebook and Twitter.