These might sound like harsh words coming from the College Fair keynote speaker and Sr. Director of Admission Drew Carter of College of the Holy Cross, but his tidbit of advice and many others he proffered are just what Fifth Formers and their parents need to hear and heed.
Carter also advised College Fair guests to "enjoy the process" and to "focus on the factors you can control."
Following the keynote, students and parents broke into small groups to form mock admission committees charged with reviewing three fictitious applications and then deciding if each candidate was accepted, rejected, or waitlisted.
College reps from Dickinson College, Providence College, Texas Christian University, University of Denver, and Hamilton College directed the mock committees.
Next on the program was a panel of six Sixth Formers who have completed the college admission process. After introducing themselves, they answered questions from students and parents and offered valuable insights into which strategies worked for them and what they would have done differently.
Lunch in Steele Hall dining room provided participants a short break from the program.
Later, students gathered in Pigott Arena for mock interviews conducted by college reps and for additional face time with them. Fortunately for students, making this point of contact could be crucial, because the rep they meet actually reads their application. Parents congregated in Steele Hall Lecture Room to hear Director of College Counseling Sarah Ferland talk about "The Application Process: The Basics."
One hundred colleges and universities participated in the day's event.
To view photos of the College Fair, click here.