I recently attended a conference where the keynote speaker asked the question, “What is your why?” While I was listening to the speech, it hit me that it is such a fundamental and thought-provoking question, that I needed it to become a core part of my consulting business. I put up post-it notes to remind myself that I need to ask it of every student. College-bound, or not, they need to know their why. By digging deep into their motivations for the choices they are making, they can get clarification of their purpose and make better decisions regarding the future.
Why is going to college the right choice and is now the right time?
For some, vocational training or taking a gap year are ideas worth considering. Those who want to go to college will benefit from having clear expectations of what they hope to accomplish by going straight into a four-year program. College is too expensive to be going for the wrong reasons!
Why this school? Why is it a good fit?
It is essential for success in college to be comfortable both academically and socially. Students should be able to verbalize what their criteria are in order to have a good college experience. Rural or urban, large or small, close or far from home are just some of the qualities of a campus that must be considered. By putting their desires into words, they become more sure of themselves that they are making good choices.
Why is the essay so important?
Students should understand that writing the personal statement is not meant by colleges to be an act of torture, it is an opportunity for them to introduce themselves and reveal qualities that are not shown elsewhere on the application. Often knowing the intent of the essay helps students with their approach and can result in a more effective personal statement.
Why this activity?
Admissions officers are looking for passion, leadership, and relevance in extracurricular activities, not random volunteer hours. Students should ask themselves why they are involved in each activity and what it means to them.
Answering these questions will help students to understand the application process thus becoming more invested in it. They will be more apt to choose a college that is a good fit and to present themselves in the best possible light on their applications. By knowing their why, they are sure to have a better outcome.