Counselor’s Corner
by LAUREN ADAMS
All too often, students come to my office with a set plan, or fixed path for their future. Whether they have developed this plan out of true passion for what they hope it will offer them or out of some less desirable reason such as laziness or self-doubt is sometimes debatable. Regardless, I always find myself telling our students, “This is the time to give yourself options.”
Many times students are reluctant to send a college application to a university they may think is out of their reach, academically or financially. For some of them, this may be the reality, but for many, by not applying, they are limiting their potential and options. Encouraging students to apply to a wide range of colleges, four year and two year alike, will enable students to stretch themselves beyond what they believe they are capable of, while still pursuing attainable goals. Telling students to apply to two “reach” schools (schools at which they are not entirely sure they will be accepted but would love to attend), two “possible” schools (schools at which they are fairly confident they will be accepted), and two “safety” schools (schools at which they are sure to be accepted), can sometimes be the magic formula to ensure the students have a wide range of options.
Once the application has been submitted and transcripts and test scores have been sent, the students will be in the waiting game. Spring will come, along with their (fingers-crossed) acceptance or (hopefully not) rejection letters as well as their financial aid packages. At that time, they will be able to make an educated and informed decision about the best possible place to continue their education.
Lauren Adams is a member of the Texas A& M chapter of Advise Texas and serves as College Recruitment Advisor at Lehman High School.
