JUGGLING COLLEGE ADMISSIONS ISSUES And once the letters ...

[Pages:2]JUGGLING COLLEGE ADMISSIONS ISSUES

It's nail-biting time for students waiting for college acceptance letters.

And once the letters arrive, there are thorny issues to deal with, ranging from financial aid to wait-listing.

On The Early Show on Monday, April 6, 2009, Seppy Basili, Senior Vice President of Kaplan, Inc. (), sorted through a range of matters of concern to those students and their families, especially in this challenging economy:

It's a time of year where high school seniors alternate between an excited nervousness and devastating hopelessness. It's a time where the mailman becomes the most important person in that senior's life. Acceptance, rejection and wait list letters are either coming in the mail or are being emailed on the Internet. For parents and students expecting one of these letters, there is a lot riding on this time of year. It is the most important decision that a young person will make for themselves to date. And with the economy in the dumps, there are a lot of question marks for incoming freshman, and for colleges and universities.

How many students can afford to accept their financial aid packages without trying for more? How many students will enroll upon their acceptance? And for students, the questions are no less important or devastating. Can I afford to go to the college of my choice and will I be accepted? If I get a better financial aid package from my second choice school can I renegotiate with my first choice? When you get a waitlist letter is the best thing to do just to sit and wait?

Basili offered advice on how students can help to shape their future in this uncertain time, and he addresses some key questions facing both waiting students and universities:

Getting into college is tough, and at times, it can be really scary. In these uncertain economic times, who knows if you can afford school, who knows if you will get the financial aid package you need, who knows how many colleges can get the incoming freshman class they want. Seppy Basili, Senior Vice President of the popular college prep company Kaplan Inc is here to advise students on how they can take advantage of some of the economic uncertainty to get the acceptance they and need.

The first thing that Seppy says it's important to know that colleges and universities are facing uncertain times too. And that there is nothing wrong with working hard for the acceptance you want. This is the most important decision a student will ever make. It's a 100,000 to 200,000 dollar decision, and it's not one to take lightly. It's ok to be pushy and to fight for the enrollment you want. As long as you fight for what you want within the limits of acceptability there is nothing wrong with asserting yourself to get the four years of college you want.

First things first-What are we seeing this year? The most important thing for students and colleges to know is that the economy is having a significant effect on all parties involved. This year we have seen a 20% increase in the number of the students applying for federal financial aid. Interest in state schools has skyrocketed as affordability has become a major factor. Another effect? There will be a record number of student's waitlisted this year as colleges take a wait and see attitude towards this economy. They don't know who is going to accept so they are putting a lot of well qualified on the waitlist to see who accepts their initial enrollment letters.

So students? Take heart if you are on the waitlist or didn't get the financial aid package you wanted from your first choice. There are things you can do.

What do you do if you didn't get the financial aid package you wanted?

First of all, if you're financial situation has changed since you applied, for instance if a parent lost a job, do not be afraid to call your financial aid office to keep them informed. Be candid. Trust us, although this is awkward for you, financial aid offices are used to these type of phone conversations. Let them help you, that's what they are there for. Just remember this-approach your situation with dignity.

Also, make sure when you talk to your financial aid office, have notes ready. Have a description of your situation ready, chose candor and not drama. Be honest but make sure that listen to their questions to you. Answer them honestly and know that financial aid is in a tough economic situation too, so be understanding.

What do I do if I have been waitlisted? First and foremost, especially in these tough financial times, you do not have to just take a wait list answer. There are things you can do. Most students get their wait list responses and don't do anything. And the most important thing about waitlisted students-DO not slack! If you let your grades drop you will be in trouble. When you are on the cusp of acceptance, you need to make sure to give yourself every advantage you can.

Did you get waitlisted at your first college? Tell them about your enthusiasm! It will make you a much more attractive applicant. They want people who are dying to get into the school, enthusiasm begets giving and enthusiastic alumni. Mount a campaign to reach out to the college of your choice. Make sure they know you want to go. First, send a letter to the admissions department telling them about your enthusiasm. Tell them why it's so important to you to go to the school. Make sure that as you achieve things throughout the year, that your school of choice is kept appraised. Fill them in on what you are doing.

If you're first choice requires you to apply to a specific major, tell them you will be flexible. Perhaps you applied to be a film student but you ended up waitlisted. Perhaps they had more film school applications then they had spaces to fill. Tell them you will be flexible in your major, and then look into transferring majors when you arrive.

What if a parent's worst nightmare comes true and your son or daughter is not accepted to any of the schools of your choice? Look into college with rolling summer admissions. As a parent, talk to your child about getting in at any time, and there is nothing wrong with going to a community college for two years and then transferring to a better school. Talk to your admissions officer about your situation. Tell them that you still have great ambition to go to a good school and ask them how you can mount a campaign to get something better. LOWER THIRD GRAPHIC-

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