You Could Be Visiting This Site For The Following Reasons:

• You want to encourage your child to consider a Catholic college or university.
• You wonder why your child is considering a Catholic college or university.

You should know that Catholic colleges and universities are universally renowned for their academic excellence.  Many are formidable intellectual centers where a full range of disciplinary majors, professions, and careers are supported and pursued.  To learn more about what sets Catholic colleges and universities apart, visit "The Top 10 Reasons For Attending a Catholic College or University."

Three "attitudes" are at the hear of a Catholic education:

• readiness to reflect on modern society from a values-oriented perspective
• desire to promote justice and opportunities for all people
• belief in academic freedom, including the freedom to communicate ethical principles that give fuller meaning to life.

Despite this similarity in attitude, the 230 Catholic colleges and universities in the United States are extemely diverse.  Each has distinctive strengths--academically, culturally, and spiritually.  Many of these schools could be a good fit for your child.

Research has been done showing that attending a Catholic college or university can have positive effects on students.  Not just academically, but in all aspects of adult life.  Take a look at these two pieces of evidence:

1. Harwick-Day performed a study that examined how Catholic college and university alumni viewed their college experiences in comparison to alumni from non-Catholic institutions. Learn more about the results of the Catholic College and University comparative alumni study by downloading the Powerpoint presentation.

news_events_research/values.ppt

2. The Lawlor Group performed a study that took a deep look at how prospective college students perceived Catholic colleges and factors that influence their college decision, including parents, guidance counseling resources, and spiritual influences.  You can read about the study by downloading the PDF here: news_events_research/NCCAA Prospective Students Study Final Report.pdf

High School Course Selection And Campus Visits

There are two big areas in which you can assist your child with the college search.

1.  Plan a college prep curriculum

Paying for college isn't the only thing that you can do in your child's academic life.  It's important for you to make sure your child starts early on a college preparatory track.  The wrong selection of high school courses can eliminate or restrict options for future education.  For instance, students should begin to use computers and to study foreign languages in middle school, if possible.  Ideally, each year of high school will include at least five academic courses:  English, math, social studies (three years), laboratory science, foreign language (two to four years), art (one year), and appropriate electives.

Planning from the beginning of ninth grade makes future decisions easier.  For example, a report from the Department of Education states that students who take Advanced Placement courses are more likely to complete a bachelor's degree than students who don't take such challenging courses in high school.  Talk to one of your child's teachers, the guidance counselor, or the principal of your child's school to find out if AP courses are offered at the high school. 

Even classes that don't seem important academically often are.  Research indicates that students who takes courses in the arts disciplines (performing and visual arts) and who participate in the arts often do better in school and on standardized tests.  Many college admissions officers view participation in the arts as a valuable experience that broadens students' understanding and appreciation of the world around them.  

Our high school checklist covers the ninth grade through the senior year. Review the steps with your child and set up a schedule of tasks and deadlines.

In 2010, we are currently at the peak of full-time undergraduate enrollment.  "Record enrollments, coming at a time when many of our colleges and universities are full and becoming more selective, means there is more pressure on high school seniors to get into the college of their choice." 

--Former U.S. Secretary of Education, Richard W. Riley

2.  Visit Campuses

 One of the most helpful and wise moves you can make in the college search process is to take your child to visit the campuses of the colleges he or she is considering. A recent poll showed that the campus visit ranks above all other factors in influencing the final decision about where to go to college. And it should. When you visit a college, you can look beneath the surface for signs of quality -- signs that students can develop and refine important values and principles there as well as prepare for productive careers.

Here are some tips that can help you as you embark on college visits and progress through the search:

• Make sure to connect with the Admissions Office.  Take the official campus tour and attend available information sessions and interviews.  Not only will you receive valuable information about the school, but the Admissions Office will take note of your visit and your child's interest in the school.  This helps both your child and the Admissions Office.  Your child will become familiar with the Admissions Officer responsible for your geographical territory, who could ultimately be one of the people reviewing his/her application for admission.  The Admissions Office will in turn learn more about your child in terms of academic interests and performance, course of study interests, and his/her college search in general.  This relationship can certainly benefit your search and help make it less daunting--for both you and your child!
• When you child has narrowed down the list of possible colleges, sign up for evaluative interviews and overnight visits. Evaluative interviews may be required or highly recommended for some colleges as part of their application process.  They also serve as another opportunity for the student to learn more about the school and to ask more questions.  These interviews can be conducted either by an Admissions Officer or a trained, well-versed senior at the school who can serve as a mentor-type figure to help ease the stress!  Overnight visits allow your child to experience what it might be like to be a typical student by attending classes, staying in the dorms, eating actual campus food, and attending some extracurricular and athletic events.  For many students, this type of visit can make or break their decision to attend. 
• Do some talking and ask some questions! Chat with not only Admissions Officers, but students, professors, deans, even parents of current students. All of these perspectives can help you and your child obtain an even closer look at the school from different perspectives.  And from people that were in your shoes at one time.
• If technology is important to your child's college experience, check out the school's computer lab and IT help desks.  Inquire about whether the school has a program to buy computers and software at discounted prices. Ask what type of computer (PCs or Macs) are preferred, or if they are required. 
• Make sure you look at the whole picture when visiting campuses.  While a dorm room may seem small, other factors, particularly academic quality, should take precedence in your child's college choice.  Talk with your child to figure out what these deciding factors should be.

Click here to read more campus visit advice from a college admissions professional, Mary Grondahl from The College of Saint Rose.