From the desk of Celia Tucker, Academic Counselor:

Take a deep breath while preparing to pack your suitcase…

When I think about the college application process, a vision of very busy stressed out bees swarming a hive pops into my brain. Why does it do that?

Over and over while talking with parents, we (parents) seem to remember applying for college as a very non-stressful event. It went something like this:

*We talked to family, teachers, and friends about colleges (personally, I never knew that any other college existed besides Louisiana Tech University …it is just where my family went…something about red, blue and bulldogs…and perhaps my uncle being a Dean on the campus…).

*We filled out an application and mailed it in.

*We took the SAT or ACT and sent our scores.

*On the application we told the school what we did in high school and why we wanted to come to their college or university.

*We sent them a high school transcript.

*We paid our application fee.

*We sent everything in by the deadline.

*We waited for an acceptance letter and directions on what to do next.

When I think about graduating seniors in this day and time, it seems to go something like this: *They talk to family, teachers, and friends about colleges.

*They fill out an application online and click submit.

*They take the SAT or ACT and perhaps subject tests and send their scores.

*On the very thorough application they tell the school what they did in high school and why they want to come to their college or university.

*They send them a high school transcript.

*They pay the application fee.

*They send everything in by the deadline.

*They wait for acceptance letters and directions on what to do next.

Hmm…yes, different, but not stressed out bees swarming a hive different… In plain and simple terms I believe that colleges want applicants to live their lives totally being involved and being active in organizations and areas that peak their interest so that through their involvement they will find their niche and have an idea of what will make them happy and productive in the world of work.

Colleges want applicants to give back to the community through serving others and that through serving others will be blessed with a personal experience that they can share. Colleges want applicants who have made a lasting impression on adults by minding their manners, being polite, and being responsible so that those adults will provide glowing letters of recommendation. Colleges want applicants who choose tough courses in high school and make good grades in those tough courses so as to be as academically prepared as possible for success on their campuses. Colleges want students who can apply what they have learned in the classroom so as to present acceptable standardized test scores.

In a nutshell (or beehive), colleges want applicants with:

*A strong transcript (what you do in 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade matters)

*Recommendations letters from those who know them well (build relationships)

*Competitive standardized test scores (the definition of competitive varies greatly from college to college)

*Rich and meaningful extracurricular activities (they want to know how students spent their time outside of the classroom)

*The ability to express themselves and tell their own story through the written word (essays)

*The ability to follow instructions and meet deadlines (“I didn’t know” is not an excuse)

*Communication skills

So, Take a deep breath, pray, work hard, live life to the fullest, share your life with others, and realize that with 4500+ degree granting institutions in the United States there is a perfect fit for you.

Here’s to taking time to stop and enjoy the honey…