New Factors for College-Bound Students to Consider
In this ASCA School Counselor article, Don Fraser of the National Association for College Admission Counseling suggests that high-school counselors research the following criteria for students to help them become more savvy consumers of higher education:
• Academic services available – The level and sophistication of support for struggling students is important, even if applicants don’t think they’ll need it.
• Retention efforts and student advising – What is the college equipped to do to help students get through to graduation?
• The retention and graduation rates for the student’s demographic – Overall retention rates aren’t very helpful, says Fraser. If the college hasn’t broken the data down by race and sex, that’s a red flag.
• Career services available – Are drop-in appointments the extent of support? If so, the college isn’t very invested in helping students find a job after graduation.
• The employment rates for similar graduates – “If your student wants to be a psychology major, then he or she should ask about the post-graduate outcomes for students who graduate with a psychology degree,” says Fraser.
• Average debt upon graduation – Applicants need to know how well students are funded, on average.
“Beyond the Traditional Factors: Learn How You Can Help Your Students Construct a Better
List of Potential Colleges” by Don Fraser Jr. in ASCA School Counselor, November/December
2012 (Vol. 50, #2, p. 22-26), http://www.ascaschoolcounselor.org; Fraser can be reached at
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