I’m not asking if you’re enthusiastic about a particular college, but rather if you’re enthusiastic about this next big chapter in your life.
Are you excited about heading off to college?
I’m asking because it’s important. Enthusiastic people tend to be positive and proactive, they make things happen because they’re, well, enthusiastic! And, for a college admissions officer, that enthusiasm, when it shines through, can be very appealing!
And, the more appealing you are as a college candidate, the easier it is for the college to say “Yes!”
People who are enthusiastic can’t wait to explore colleges, engage with them, and gather information so they can make informed decisions about where to spend the next four years of their life.
When I see a student who constantly relies on their parents for information about colleges they’ve looked at, or who says they want to go to college but hasn’t taken many steps to make it happen, I don’t see enthusiasm for what should be one of the most exciting times of their lives.
And if I can’t see it, I doubt the college will see it. And the chances of being accepted start to diminish – and we don’t want that.
College is the beginning of the next “big chapter” – you should be eager to explore and see what opportunities are available to you. You have to be proactive – the college isn’t going to come looking for you while you’re sitting on your couch or chatting with your friends.
You’ve got to seek out the colleges and then make sure they know you’re out there and interested in them.
Your Smart Plan for College Assignment:
Check your enthusiasm level! When you think about heading off to college (forget about all the steps needed to make it happen for just a moment), are you excited about the idea? Are you looking forward to it? Are you motivated to take action on your own, without your parents having to tell you to do it?
If you answered “yes” – fantastic. Keep that enthusiasm alive and start taking steps to make it happen.
Now, if you haven’t done much to move forward in the college process, but you’ve answered “yes” to these questions, then we need to figure out why that is.