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CHAPTER ONE

WHERE TO FIND COLLEGES THAT WELCOME B STUDENTS

We Really Do Want You (Or, Why Colleges Love B Students …)

Why would a college want you, the B STUDENT, instead of Ms. Straight A’s or Mr. Perfect SAT Score? Easy! Colleges want diversity. They want all kinds of students and that means you too. You are so much more than your GPA or your ACT scores and most colleges realize that. They want you because you are curious, enthusiastic and interesting!

You want the chance to shine, and there are colleges that want to help you do it. Think about it for a moment. There are more than 3,400 four-year, accredited colleges and universities in this country. That’s a lot of places to learn! You can be sure that there are many schools for everyone and there certainly are many choices for B students. Your statistics may make the search a little longer and a bit challenging but no less rewarding.

Nothing is as important to your educational success as finding a college where you feel comfortable. A key to success is being flexible and prepared to give the avenues open to you a fair chance. You have to be willing to look a little deeper and explore options, some of which you may not have thought of before. For instance, “Keep an open mind about going out of state,” encourages Lynda McGee, college counselor at Downtown Magnets High School in Los Angeles. It is McGee’s personal goal to find schools for all students. “Some students fear leaving the area, especially those in sunny California,” she explains.

Judi Robinovitz, an educational consultant for more than 25 years, suggests that students be open to exploring colleges they may not already know about. “You have to dispel the notion that just because you have not heard of a college, it’s a bad college,” she says.

“There are no bad colleges,” explains Patrick O’Brien, former admissions officer and consultant-ambassador for the ACT. “Remember, the ‘best’ school is the one that is best for you, not necessarily the ones that are highlighted in the books,” says O’Brien.

But, why would a college be willing to take a chance on a student who doesn’t have the kind of scores and grades thought to be required by a majority of colleges? It’s simple: They have common sense.

First, a number of universities want a diverse student body roaming around their campuses. To achieve this, they have to broaden their ideas of what kind of student they will accept. Just as colleges accept people from all kinds of financial, ethnic, religious and racial backgrounds, they often will accept those with various levels of academic achievement.

Second, admissions officers often realize that while students may not have the most perfect numbers, they can still add greatly to the student body. They may be tremendous leaders, facilitators, speakers or organizers. They may exhibit strength in a variety of skills that can’t be pinpointed with the average test score. For example, while a student may not perform well in math, he or she may excel in the humanities. These students can enrich the campus community in untold ways.

Last, colleges know that some students are genuinely working toward starting over, to changing their priorities and standards. Often this can be seen in school transcripts. Grades are improving with time; a new leaf has been turned over. Colleges recognize that some students really do go through difficult times such as the severe illness or death of a family member. Because of this, they are frequently willing to overlook some weak numbers and support that new dedication by accepting you into their college and giving you another way to continue your trend.

So the college that you assumed was out of reach because of your grades or test scores may actually be entirely possible if you can give them a reason for why you deserve to be there.

“Community colleges are stepping stones to four-year universities, and they cost less, build skills and develop maturity. Students in the community college system gradually get into the college culture but with the security of home and familiar circumstances.”

— Patrick O’Brien, former admission officer and consultant-ambassador for the ACT

Looking Outside the Box

One secret to finding the right college is to look beyond the most popular schools that everyone you know is applying to and then to think outside of the box. Are there other colleges in your area? Before you start shaking your head because these “other” colleges aren’t what you had in mind, at least do a little research. Look at their sites online, and check out the profiles at the end of this book. You can’t say you don’t like a place until you have enough information to know if you like it (otherwise known as innocent until proven guilty!).

Some schools that may be more open to B students include these:

• career-oriented colleges

• community colleges

• all men’s colleges

• all women’s colleges

• very small colleges

Don’t Overlook Community College

For many students, one of the best options remains the local community college. Yeah, you still have to live in your hometown, and most likely, still at home with your family, but you benefit from a good education while saving some big bucks for the future or for transferring to a four-year college. Community colleges are more open to students with B or C averages than some four-year institutions, so they can be a great solution for you.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE FACTS

Here are some of the current stats on community colleges, thanks to the helpful people at the American Association of Community Colleges (www.aacc.nche.edu):

Public institutions 982

Private institutions 90

Tribal institutions 36

TOTAL 1,108

12.3 million students currently enrolled

7.3 million for credit and 5 million for non-credit

45% of all U.S. undergraduates

41% of first-time freshmen

57% women; 43% men

62% part time; 38% full time

52% of African American undergrads

57% of Hispanic undergrads

43% of Asian/Pacific Islander undergrads

62% of Native American undergrads

Average tuition and fees: $3,430, and 58% of students receive some kind of financial aid.

More than 795,000 associate degrees

More than 490,000 two-year certificates

But hey, you’ve heard some rumors about community colleges, right? You’ve heard them called everything from “Only Chance College” to “Harvard on the Highway.” Like everything else, community colleges have a few myths surrounding them, and — here’s a real surprise — most of them just aren’t true. For instance:

• A degree from a community college is not as good as a university degree.

That just doesn’t make any sense. An apple is an apple. A degree is a degree. You did the work and earned the diploma. Is it the same thing as a degree from Harvard? Okay, maybe not, but most of the time it will still get you through the front door and into the job.

• The people who go to community college couldn’t get in anywhere else.

Not true. Students go to community college for a variety of reasons. Maybe it is more convenient and less expensive for some people because it allows them to keep working, giving them a chance to save money while providing a quality education that sometimes may even serve as a stepping stone to a traditional college.

• The faculty at community colleges is inferior to that of four-year institutions.

The faculties and staff at community colleges and other colleges are quite comparable. They both have their degrees and years of experience to share with you.

• The credits from a community college will not transfer to other colleges.

This is a myth. Credit hours from community colleges transfer in the same way that credit hours from four-year universities do.

• Since community colleges cost so much less, they can’t be any good.

Community colleges are fine institutions. The difference in tuition can be due to many reasons, but it is mainly because community colleges do not have the incredible overhead that residential colleges have.

The American Association of Community Colleges conducted a survey to see what the hottest programs at these colleges were. The survey found that the top five fields to study were allied health (46.6 percent), skilled trades/industrial, public services, information technologies and business.

The most important thing any student can do when searching for a college is to keep an open mind. When I make recommendations to students for a college, sometimes they say, “I haven’t heard of that one so it must not be any good.” They have this concept that only the ones mentioned in the papers are decent. It drives me crazy! You have to take the time to decide what YOU want from a school and then start choosing possibilities. Find a school that fits YOU and not the other way around. Look outside the box.

Also, please take the time to really understand financial aid as part of the college puzzle. The topic is near and dear to me because I grew up with a middle class background and I could not afford the state school. You do not want to graduate with $50,000 in college loans.

— Todd Johnson, College Admissions Partners

Go, Team, Go!

Remember that choosing a college is not usually an individual choice. Instead, it takes a team of people all working together, including your teachers, advisers, guidance counselors, principals, coaches and family members. You need help with a decision this big, because it is a complex one.

There are so many colleges that accept B students that it is important for you to consider several different elements when you start your search. Ask yourself these questions:

• What kind of student am I now, and what are my career plans for the future?

• What parts of school do I like the best and least now?

• What does the idea of success actually mean to me?

• Where do I see myself in two years? Five years? Ten years?

• What part of the country appeals most to me?

• Do I want a small, intimate college or a bustling, exciting university?

• What percentage of males and females would be ideal for me?

• What is the cost and how much financial aid does each school offer?

• What are the most popular majors and is mine on that list?

• Do I want to be involved in a sorority/fraternity?

• Will I have any scholarships or grants that affect where I can go?

• Do I want a philosophical or religious college?

You may not know the answers to all these questions yet. Many of them will only come after you have taken some tours, read your research and talked to your team. Giving them some thought now, however, will give you a head start.

What to Look for in a College

When you start your college search, you have to find a happy balance between being optimistic and realistic. Look at the GPA and ACT/SAT scores that each college lists and analyze those numbers in relationship to yours. If a college’s cut-off on the SAT verbal score is 510 and yours is 520, go ahead and apply — it’s a “safety” college. What if your score is 480? Give it a try — it’s a “fairly good chance” college. How about a score of 410? Not likely — but you could still apply to this college; just don’t hold your breath. Be willing to stretch a little and know that those numbers are not carved in stone but are general guidelines.

The colleges profiled in this book do more than just accept B students. They are dedicated to helping them. They may offer a first-year general studies, remedial or transition class to help get you started. Many offer on-campus writing clinics and tutoring services. When you get in touch with the representatives from these colleges, be prepared to ask them what services they might offer. Can you record lectures? Are there faculty advisers for each student? Are classes offered to help with the transition to college? Even if they don’t have any plans in place (which is unlikely) your request might be just enough to implement one.

A COLLEGE WHOSE DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN

The core philosophy of the community college in America can be captured in the phrase “access and excellence.” Community colleges, like all institutions of higher education, struggle to be excellent. But when it comes to “access,” there is no struggle at all; community colleges are the access institutions of the 21st century.

The community college has emerged as the institution of the second chance — even the third and fourth chance. Community colleges take great pride in their “open-door philosophy,” which means that any student who has graduated from high school or who has reached a certain age will be admitted. This philosophy and practice is remarkably different from those of most four-year colleges and universities. Historically, most four-year colleges and universities require that students meet certain criteria for admission, eliminating those who are under-prepared or unqualified to compete.

Community colleges are willing to give all applicants an opportunity to succeed regardless of their history. That does not mean that an unprepared student will be admitted into a very challenging program such as nursing or engineering technology. Instead, through assessment and advising, students who are not prepared for more challenging work will be guided into developmental education programs where they will receive special tutoring and courses in which they can develop the skills for more advanced work.

The focus of the community college — through its faculty and innovative programs and practices — is to help students succeed, regardless of their level of achievement when they enter.

— TERRY O’BANION, former president of the League for Innovation in the Community College

Let’s take an up-close look at each of these options for a moment. It’s important for you to think about which of these features is important to you and will help you succeed in college. Take notes so that when you contact a college rep or admissions officer, you can ask if these choices exist at the school:

TUTORING: A variety of types of tutoring are available on virtually every campus. The only question is what format you prefer. You can check into peer tutoring from either a classmate or friend; faculty tutoring from a willing professor; in-depth tutoring from a teacher’s assistant or at special on-campus centers and clinics. While some tutors may charge a fee, most services tend to be free. When you speak with a college rep, ask what might be available if you should need extra assistance.

COUNSELING: While tutoring is helpful to understanding a certain assignment or class subject, counseling is a wider scope. A counselor will help you make bigger decisions like what major to choose, what classes to take and in what direction you should go to achieve your goal. An academic counselor will not only help you reach academic goals, but he or she also will often help you with emotional and mental stress. To do your best academically, you need to be in good shape mentally. Counselors can recommend resources, give suggestions and tips, connect you with helpful mentors or organizations and much more.

CLASS SIZE AND PROFESSOR/STUDENT RATIO: One of the biggest advantages of small colleges is their small class size. While many universities, even the really large ones, state that their average class size is between 10 and 30, a number of small colleges have fewer students per class. Instead of 22:1 student to professor ratios, they may have 5:1. This can be good because your professors are much more likely to be aware of you; if you are struggling or having a problem, they will be more apt to recognize it and reach out. Small classes mean you can ask more questions and discuss things on a deeper level. It also frequently means that participation will play a role in your overall grade.

There are many positive things about small classes, but some students might say that small classes have a negative side as well. For example, if you miss class, professors know (in a class of several hundred, it is a lot less noticeable, believe me!). If your homework isn’t turned in, it will be observed right away as well. Truthfully, these can be good things. Professors who notice you are getting behind can remind you to catch up before you’ve dug your hole so deep that it takes a miracle to pass the class.

Overall, small classes can make the transition from high school to college easier. You will not feel so much like a minnow floundering in a huge ocean. You will get to know your fellow classmates much easier and quicker if there are a half dozen in your class rather than hundreds. Smaller classes often create more of a sense of cooperation between students rather than competition. Instead of trying to do better than another person, you will only be trying to do better than you have done before — and that is the best kind of competition there is.

It’s important to go beyond the statistics when you look at the numbers you find for professor/student ratio. Ask students who attend the school how much they interact with their professors and how much of an effort the professors make to help their students. More important than the ratio of professors to students is how involved the professors will be in your studies.

“Getting the right college is not a game to be won, but a match to be made.”

— David Miller, director of college counseling at Stevenson School, Pebble Beach, California

TEACHING STYLES: Another question to look into when choosing your college is what different teaching styles the school may offer. What emphasis does it have on lab time? Is there a period of internship? How much of class time is comprised of hands-on activities for kinesthetic learners? How much is preprinted or written in forms that are student-friendly for visual learners? How much can be taped for auditory learners? Are there many field trips? All these options can make learning easier for many students. They are alternatives to the typical lecture/listen teaching format that has dominated your education up until now. Colleges offer new ways to learn and excel.

PASS/FAIL or CREDIT/NO CREDIT CLASSES: Not all colleges offer classes with pass/fail grading systems but a number of them have used it effectively, including the following: Millikin University, University of Iowa, University of Illinois, Ohio State University, Stanford University, Tufts University, University of California (Berkeley), Syracuse University, Pennsylvania State University, Pomona College and Grinnell College.

There are certainly a number of perks to this type of grading system. It often encourages students to explore classes that they might otherwise have ignored. For example, if you are an English major, you may not be brave enough to take an advanced math class because you will be surrounded by students who excel in math and competing with them might be overwhelming. However, if you know that you are only going to have to achieve a passing grade, you might be willing to go for it. With pass/fail, there is often less pressure on you; conversely, you may mistakenly think that you don’t have to try at all (then you are just wasting everyone’s time!).

In addition to regular classes, some types of learning fit the pass/fail system better than the traditional A, B, C, D and F. This is especially true for laboratory experiments, hands-on activities, thesis work and research.

Is there a downside to this type of grading system? Naturally. Some of these courses can’t be counted toward your major. While taking a class that doesn’t count toward your major may seem unwise, it can be a smart move. You might discover a new passion, interest or direction for your education. You might also discover that you are better at a subject than you had imagined. Pass/fail classes might even lead you to decide on a supplemental course of study, a double major— or you might even consider changing your major. Think of the pass/fail credit simply as an invitation to go down another new college pathway.

THE EMPHASIS ON FINAL EXAMS: Another option to explore is how much influence final exams have on your overall grades. If you are the type who suffers from test anxiety (more on that later) or just does not test well, you want to look for colleges that offer options to traditional testing. Maybe oral tests are possible. Maybe you can earn most of your grades through homework, class participation or other activities.

SUPPORT NETWORK AND LEVEL OF COMPETITION: Besides the formal support network provided by the school from tutoring and counseling, some colleges offer an informal support network. You will want to find out more about this. Do students tend to help each other or compete against each other? At some schools, students frequently work together on group projects or have study sessions together. At other schools, students work more independently. This is especially important if you learn better in a group environment.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS: Investigate what kind of special programs the colleges may offer. For example, some colleges offer co-op programs in which students are able to spend a semester gaining hands-on work experience with a company while earning credits. Most schools have study-abroad programs that allow some students to study internationally, but they vary in their size and scope. Special programs like these may appeal to you and may be just what you need to get motivated.

POSSIBLE AND POPULAR MAJORS: As you look through colleges listed in this book, take special note of the majors listed with each one. These are the most popular majors associated with the particular school. Why is it important to choose a college that features your major? It is just like going shopping. If you really want a pair of boot-cut jeans, you aren’t going to go to a shoe store. You want to go where the clerks know what you are talking about and can lead you directly to many choices that fit your needs, right? It’s the same thing with a college. If you want to be in computer tech, a college that specializes in art may not be the best choice. You want the school that is familiar with your major and can offer a strong faculty and curriculum in your choice.

You also want to check with a college rep for a school that interests you and ask if you can have a double major at that college (and not just CAN YOU, but will you get the support and guidance you need if you choose to) or can you create your own major. The more options you have, the better the chance of having a college education tailored to your unique needs and the stronger the possibility of overall success.

What if you are undecided about your major when you start your college search? Relax—you are far from being the only one. Make a list of the most likely areas you’d like to explore and then look to see which colleges offer them. It is a first step and that’s where every journey begins.

Where to Find Out More about Colleges

• College fairs. Dozens or even hundreds of college representatives will come to your town for college fairs. This is your opportunity to ask questions and get a personal perspective from those associated with these colleges without leaving the city limits. Get a list of upcoming college fairs from your counselor or at http://www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/.

• College representatives at your school. Be sure to meet representatives from colleges when they come to your school! You may be tempted to spend the time doing something else, but these events are designed to give you an opportunity to learn a lot about various colleges. You may also be meeting people who will eventually review your application, should you decide to submit one to any of the schools involved. If you make a good impression, your chances of admission may improve.

• College catalogs/view books. These may vary from a simple, colorful tri-fold pamphlet to a 40-page catalog, complete with DVD, business cards with contact names, testimonials from students and dozens of photographs. Read them through carefully because they can answer many of your questions.

• College websites. Whether you look online at home, in the library or at school, take the time to look over the websites of some of the colleges you are interested in. They almost always have an FYI/FAQ section that will provide answers to basic questions. You also get a chance to see what the campus looks like, what some students have to say about the place (all glowing, of course!) and much more.

• College alumni. For great suggestions and insight into a college, see if you can get in touch with someone who actually attended it. It might be your cousin, your father’s co-worker, someone your guidance counselor suggested or a person the college itself refers to you. Make a list of questions for that person ahead of time so you are sure to cover what you most want to know. If the person graduated more than a few years ago, some information might not be as current as you need, but you can still learn some important facts.

• College visits and tours. While this topic will be discussed in greater depth later in this book, it is important to say at this point that college visits must be given the value that they deserve. Nothing makes a place come alive as much as visiting it. You can read about a university in every possible source, but you can’t really know it until you visit it. That’s when you can personally taste the cafeteria creations, hear the conversations in the student union and see the layout of the dorms in some of the residence halls. Go on a tour with your class, counselor, friends or family. The information you will gather is immeasurable.

• College online virtual tours. While going to a college in person is the best option, it is not always possible for a variety of reasons. In that case, be sure to at least go to a college’s website and check out its virtual tour. You can get a better idea of whether this is the kind of place that calls to you — or not.

My biggest piece of advice is that there IS a school for everyone and you WILL be accepted. Remember, you have power over your own life. Get connected with knowledgeable people, invest in books like this one and in the Fiske’s Guide and Princeton Review’s 361 Best Colleges. Check out U.S. News & World Report’s “A+ Schools for B Students.”

In your junior year, start making plans. Use the summer before your senior year the best way you can. Look for opportunities that open doors and windows for you—think big. If you can’t find something, start your own. My son and his friends started a driveway sealing business and did great. Paint, mow lawns—show initiative. It will be a great topic for the essay you should be working on before summer ends.

When school starts again, take the most challenging curriculum you are capable of handling. If your school is small and does not offer the more advanced courses, look elsewhere: go online, take distance learning classes or check out the community college.

— Shirley Bloomquist, MA, College and Educational Counselor

• Guidance counselors. These wonderful people can give you a lot of helpful information about individual colleges. They may have printed material, website suggestions, contact names and more. Just ask!

• The school or local community library. While this book is a great source for finding out about schools that welcome B and C students, there are tons more books out there that list college options. Check them out and look up the schools in which you are most interested. You’ll find out useful information that can help you in your decision making. Spend some time just browsing through these books. You may encounter some colleges that you have not heard of before but that are intriguing possibilities.

• Current college students. Are there any students in your neighborhood or community already going to a college that interests you? Ask if you can meet for a snack and a chat and have all those questions you haven’t been able to ask anyone else ready. Currently enrolled students are the real “been-there-done-that” experts. They will tell you the real truth about college life, not just what the writers of the college’s marketing materials want you to know. If you can’t find a college student in your area, go to the college and dialog with the students there. Can’t get to the campus? Give the place a call and ask the admissions officer to connect you with some students.

• Decoding college lingo 101. When you are reading college literature (and believe me, you will get a TON of it), look for key words that will tell you more about how they evaluate applications. For example, they may say that they do a “comprehensive” review of a student’s application. Typically, this means they will look beyond the numbers to things like background, extracurricular activities, essays, interviews, recommendations and more. Check online to see if the colleges you are interested in list information about their admissions process online; it might give you some great insight into how they make their decisions.

• Right from admissions itself. Skip the middle men and the media and go straight to the college’s admissions office. Call and ask to speak with an admissions officer. Be honest. Explain your situation and ask what your chances of admission are or what you might be able to do to improve those chances. You might get some fantastic insider information (the legal kind!).

Visit Colleges Sooner Rather than Later

Don’t wait a moment longer to go and visit schools. Seeing is believing! Reading about a place in a book or online is fine for background information, but it is a visit that will give you the true feel of the college’s atmosphere, attitudes and activities. (To find out what college tours are like, check out the website www.campustours.com).

Patrick O’Brien, former admissions officer and consultant-ambassador for the ACT, says, “The more opportunities to visit college campuses as a junior or in the first part of senior year, the better. And don’t just go for the standard college tour of the campus and facilities. Check out the dorms and dorm life,” he advises. “Insist on visiting a class in a field of interest—it will show you how the college academic system really works.”

Try not to visit colleges during summer, however. As O’Brien says, “Never visit a campus when school is not in session; that’s like visiting your high school on a weekend—dullsville.” Don’t depend on Mom, Dad or your guidance counselor to contact the school for a tour either. Do it yourself; it shows that college that you have initiative.

When you go for a campus tour, take part of your college-finding team with you so that you can get their impressions of each place too. Don’t spend your time exploring the things you can get from the school’s website. Pretend you are an anthropologist from the future and study the place like we study primitive cultures today. Watch the students interact, check out the food sources, find out how the place accepts those from different ethnic, political or religious backgrounds, gays or married couples. Read the posters in the buildings and the bulletin boards in dorms. What announcements do they have? What are some of the upcoming events and activities? Do they have a choir, band or orchestra? How about a drama group? Hang out in the student union and see what goes on there. Is there a lot of diversity on the campus? Go by the bookstore and see what souvenirs you like. Check out the shopping area around the campus. Pick up a campus newspaper to read later.

Remembering all your impressions of the places you have seen will not be easy. After you have seen a couple of campuses, facts and opinions will begin to mesh and soon you will find yourself asking which college had that great library. Do you remember what campus had those huge trees and large green lawns? To prevent this from happening, make up a form to write down your thoughts as you tour a place. You can create a form that reminds you to give schools a score of 1 (horrible) to 10 (perfection itself), and that offers a spot for general comments, thoughts and questions to follow up on later.

On Page 15 is an example of the kind of form you could use. If you don’t like it, my feelings aren’t hurt. Create your own! Design it the way that fits best for you.

The Sky’s the Limit

Once you start looking for colleges, you’ll be overwhelmed at how many great choices there are. In fact, your problem may be that you have too many options!

After you have a list of colleges, the next step is to fill out the applications. This is your opportunity to make your case (why you should be accepted) to each college. While most colleges do look at the numbers from your GPA, SAT and ACT scores, they will also look to your character. They will want to know your aspirations, your passions, your level of responsibility and maturity and how you choose to spend your time. Who inspires you? Who influences you? What do you expect of yourself? College admissions officers see countless numbers of applications, many with high numbers, but it is the student that shows integrity, curiosity, originality and independence that will catch their eyes. Unlike grading those little #2 pencil-filled dots on the standardized tests, this kind of information is much harder to measure. The college application will go a long way to help paint that very unique portrait of you as a person.

But before we hit the application, let’s take the next chapter to look at some things you can do now to make sure you maximize your time in high school and set yourself up to create the strongest application possible.

DON’T GET CAUGHT UP IN THE FRENZY

Many students get totally caught up in the college admissions frenzy without actually realizing that there are more than 4,000 colleges in the United States that have to stay open, so they are looking for students. In other words, you have a much better chance of getting in than you think.

Some advice for you:

• Remember that it is not what college you get into but what you do while you are there that matters the most.

• Even if you think you cannot get into a college, apply anyway.

• Make sure to apply to colleges other than just your favorite one. Even if you consider them a back-up plan, take the time to make a list and apply.

• Be true to yourself about what you want out of a college experience. If you really do not want one that is academically rigorous, that’s totally fine. Just be up front about it.

• If one certain college is your dream but you don’t fit the academic requirements, apply anyway. If you stand out in any way at all, you just may make it in after all.

— LAURA JEANNE HAMMOND, Editor in Chief, Next Step Magazine

COLLEGE SCORE SHEET