Building Relationships andMaking Connections

Caroline KingAssistant Director of Admissions

Discover RhodesFriday, June 18th, 2010

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Building Relationships and Making Connections

Why can’t I just submit my application and be done with it?

You need to be able to make an educated decision

The more a college knows about you, the more they can show you about what your experience will be like there

Colleges are becoming more concerned with an applicant’s interest

The more relationships you’ve built, the more opportunities for you to learn about the school and for the school to learn about you

If you’ve built relationships as an applicant, they will continue when you are an enrolled student

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Building Relationships and Making Connections

Who should I be building relationships with?

Current Students

Admissions

Professors

Coaches

Financial Aid Staff

Others on Campus

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Building Relationships and Making Connections

Meeting with Current Students

This is your chance to meet with someone who is living the experience that you have at this school!

Meet someone from your area or with similar interests

Lunch helps you to experience the campus food

What does a normal day include?

What advice do they have from their college search?

What would they change about their first year?

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Building Relationships and Making Connections

Meeting with Admissions

Get the facts and figures

Meet the person who will read your application

Get tips on the application, essays, resumes, etc.

When you have a question, you will know who to call

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Meeting with Professors

Talk to them about your academic interests to see how they fit within the department

Learn about research opportunities for undergraduates

Some academic departments have scholarships that are chosen by the faculty

Building Relationships and Making Connections

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Observing a Class

Arrive early

Introduce yourself to the professor

Get student opinions about academics

See how the professor interacts with the students

Building Relationships and Making Connections

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Building Relationships and Making Connections

Meeting with Coaches

How will you fit on the team?

Learn about the school’s conference, what other teams will you play?

Should you play varsity, club or intramural?

Open a line of communication so that you can contact the coach about your athletic accomplishments

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Building Relationships and Making Connections

Meeting with Financial Aid

Learn about grants, loans and work study jobs

Talk about your family’s specific situation and needs

Learn about payment plans

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Building Relationships and Making Connections

Others on Campus

Residence Life

Career Services

Alumni Relations

Disability Services

Food Service

The College President

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Follow-up

Hand-written thank you note

Record your impressions

Stay in contact!

E-mail the people you’ve met with updates and questions

Building Relationships and Making Connections

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Questions?

Building Relationships and Making Connections