I received an email earlier this week from the parent of one of my student’s with questions about the college list I had prepared for the student. The student was interested in attending medical school and while willing to look anywhere at colleges had a preference for staying in state. The list I provided had no colleges in the students state of residence. The parent wanted to know why there were no in state colleges on the list.
Did I screw up? Yes and no.
The list I provided for the student included those colleges that were a fit for the student academically and provided the best option of getting to medical school. Unfortunately, the student’s state did not have many options that were both appropriate academically and that did well at medical school placement.
However, I knew that the student had a desire to stay in state if possible. In putting together the student’s list I should have included several colleges that were in state colleges even if they were not the best options for getting to medical school. At the very least, I should have explained why the list did not include any in state colleges.
I did respond and provide several in state colleges that were a fit academically and while not the best for medical school placement, still did better than the national average.
The lesson here for me is to listen more carefully to the needs of the students. The lesson for you is to make sure your college counselor really understands your priorities in choosing an appropriate college.
