SUMMER 2012 9
“It is important for parents and guidance counselors to know there are over 4,000 four-year colleges and universities in the United States. With so many options, there is a good fit for every student,” explained Franek.
A panel of six individuals involved with advising students on the college search process entertained questions on best practices for helping students find a college that fits all their needs and how to avoid the most common mistakes.
Organizing the Task:
the Tours and the Tools “It is the campus tour,” said Franek, “that seals the deal. To be prepared to help students, guidance counselors and administrators need to tour several colleges every year as well. Finding a potential fit for the student is easier using the tools available to you.” The tools Franek spoke of are the rankings, the financial aid calculators, and the online search services. “Sometimes best fit is a matter of looking beyond the usual and the obvious choices,” he added.
Reflections from Alumnae on the
2012 Heick Symposium Until the weekend of the Heick Symposium, Robyn Rorrer Puryear ’86 had not been on campus since her five-year class reunion over 20 years ago. She is an assistant high school principal in Culpepper, Virginia and has worked in education as both as an elementary school teacher and as a secondary school administrator.
Robyn Rorrer Puryear ’86
“My current high school has been open for only four years. Attending the symposium at Randolph as an alumna and a secondary education professional was refreshing,” said Robyn. “Being on campus again reinforced that small liberal arts colleges are an option our guidance counselors should always include in the workshops that we coordinate for our students and parents.”
In the college access program that Robyn oversees, her students tour several schools, including community colleges and state institutions, beginning in their sophomore year.
Fifty percent of students at Robyn’s school will be first-generation college students. “We coach them on how to search online for college choices, how to fill out an application, and how to write an essay. We introduce our students to college options early and arrange group tours, so that they hear first-hand what colleges are looking for and how to strive to be an academically well-rounded candidate.” Robyn and her guidance staff encourage students to explore all the options. “The benefit of a college education for them and their family is worth it, even if they incur debt. It was also affirming to hear from the panelists that our college access program is on track with the shifts in higher education.”
Following the campus tour offered during the symposium, Robyn thought, “Not much has changed at R-MWC from when I toured as a high school junior. The friendliness and personalization I experienced then is still part of the Randolph tour. Because of the global flair of the student body, I can see how Randolph is a good fit for many, including Huck Pace, a former student of mine from Rappahannock, Virginia who is a member of the Class of 2014 and is pursuing a business major.”
The main message Robyn took away from the data presented by Robert Franek was that there are three aspects of “fit” for the prospective college student: academic, cultural, and financial. She recalls, “R-MWC was a financial stretch for me and my family, but because the other aspects were right for me, I am grateful the College made it possible for me to attend.”
Sallie Tompkins ’70 is a guidance counselor at a private Catholic high school in Charleston, South Carolina. “The topics of the symposium and a chance to visit my college again drew me back to Lynchburg,” she said.
Sallie Tompkins ’70
Counselors at her school meet with every student
in the spring of their junior year to help students refine their college search process. Her school also holds information sessions with the parents. “We coordinate a workshop to brief parents on the timeline and expectations when applying for college. College admissions representatives are often invited.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32