Staying up-to-date with today's technology...

Text messages, emails, IMs, blogs, Zinch, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, and more!

Wow! There are a lot of new social networks and technology out there. Every time I think I've caught onto the newest one, another one pops up. I remember when I was in high school...email was the newest form of communication, then AIM (AOL Instant Messager), and cell phones. Now there's Facebook, Myspace, blogs, and Twitter...not to mention all of the texting, rather than actual phone calls that occur. I can't imagine what's next.

Colleges & Universities: staying "with it"...

As technology changes, so does the interests of students around the world. Colleges and Universities have created University Facebook pages, blogs, and now even Twitter accounts just to keep up with today's youth. Students aren't simply learning about colleges by reading paper brochures or college fairs anymore...now they can read about them in mass texts, "Tweets", websites and blogs.

Are phone calls the thing of the past?

There are plenty of debates about calling students these days in college admission. To call or not to call? To text or not to text? Of the several hundreds of calls I make every year, I would say about 50% of the time I actually talk to a student. I tend to leave a lot of messages - who knows if the student ever actually receives them.

Sifting through emails...

I know many students now receive their emails on their cell phone. I am curious as to how many students actually read all of the college emails they get - if any at all. From college emails, to silly forwards, email subscriptions, and junk...who has time to sift through all of that?

Staying connected without actually speaking...

Today's pace is much faster than in years past. Everyone's on the go, living miles and miles away from each other and wants to be able to connect with friends and family with the click of a button. I can't help but wonder how this will effect college admission process. Will students refrain from actually visiting college campus' - relying only on virtual tours, blogs and Twitter to make their college decision? I sure hope not. To truly experience college, a person has to be there to experience it for themselves. No typed conversation online is going to give you the real experience.

Face-to-Face contact is still the best...

As all of you high school juniors and seniors begin your college search, I encourage you to yes read those blogs, the "tweets" and websites for updates and information, but I also highly recommend that you visit the colleges you're interested in. I truly believe in overnight visits. They allow you to experience that college as if you were a real _____ University student - not just a visiting high school senior with mom and dad tagging along on your campus tour asking a hundred questions.

Here's how you can keep up with me...

Facebook: Nicole at Valpo
Blog: valponicole.blogspot.com
AIM: ValpoNicole
Email: Nicole.Morris@valpo.edu
Phone: 888.GO.VALPO

Send me a message, email or call if you have any questions, but I hope to see many of you on campus for a visit as well.

As always, best of luck to all of you with your college search!

Questions to ask colleges & universities...

I was a first generation college student in my family, so my parents didn't quite know what questions to ask when I was going through the college admission process. Many parents I've met with say that the college admission process is entirely different than what they experienced, so they don't even know where to begin. As a college Admission Counselor, I don't just inform students about Valparaiso University, I also try to help my families through the puzzling process that is college admission - filled with numerous deadlines, statistics and lingo all to comprehend and remember. To assist with this confusing and sometimes exhausting process, I've come up with a list of key questions for high school students and parents to ask while visiting or meeting with colleges and universities. Don't be afraid or embarassed to show up to a college/university with a legal pad of questions or spreadsheets to analyze your college research - this is a big step and a very important decision for your future.

1. What's unique about your school?
2. What is the academic profile of first-year students? (ACT, SAT and GPA)
3. What materials do you require for admission?
4. When is your application deadline? Is there an early action or early decision admission deadline?
5. How many applications do you get a year? How many are admitted?
6. What is the average incoming freshman class size?
7. Where do most of your students come from?
8. Why do students typically choose to attend your school?
9. What is the freshman to sophomore retention rate?
10. What is the placement rate within 6 months of graduation?
11. What are the most popular majors offered at your school? Why?
12. What is the average class size?
13. What is the student to faculty ratio?
14. What is the 4 year graduation rate?
15. What is the percentage of TAs (teaching assistants)?
16. What is the percentage of professors who have their highest terminal degree in their field?
17. What is the student to computer ratio on campus?
18. What is the percentage of students who get internships or co-op opportunities?
19. Do you require families to file the FAFSA?
20. What is the percentage of students who receive financial aid (scholarships, grants, loans)?
21. What is the average financial aid package for students?
22. What do students do for fun on the weekends?