Local author says it’s about the right fit
By B.C. Manion
Just because a college has an outstanding reputation doesn’t mean it is the right one for you.
And, just because you have a particular talent doesn’t mean it should dictate your career choice.
Choosing a career path and selecting a college are key issues team members at The Right Fit Foundation in Lutz address when helping families with college planning.
In essence, the issue boils down to achieving the right fit, which requires finding a school that’s academically suited for the student and within the family’s financial reach.
Unfortunately, making these matches can prove difficult without proper guidance, said Kenneth Albert, author of Finding the Right Fit: The Ultimate Guide to College.
“I think the biggest thing I’ve seen in the last 20 years is that people launch into the process and they actually never really find out what they’ve missed,” Albert said.
When it comes to college planning, there is no such thing as “one-size-fits-all,” Albert said. Each student is unique, and identifying a college that meets that person’s needs requires an evaluation of their interests and abilities.
The goal is to find career options that are naturally suited to the student, said Albert, who knows firsthand how it feels to go down the wrong career path. He spent 10 years working in electrical engineering before deciding he wasn’t happy in his work.
The key to making a good match is to start the process early, said Leigh Anne Blackwell, a counselor at the nonprofit foundation, which offers its services for free.
Some factors that can make a student be more academically competitive include completing Advanced Placement (AP) courses and achieving higher standardized test scores, Blackwell said.
But students who begin college planning too late don’t have time to enroll in AP courses or take prep classes to boost standardized test performances, Blackwell noted.
Albert advises parents and students to begin planning when the child is entering high school.
Blackwell works with the students to identify their interests. Once those are known, they look at colleges that offer programs for those careers.
Meanwhile, Albert works with parents on the financial end.
While most people recognize college costs include tuition, books, room and board, they often don’t consider how long it takes the student to obtain a degree.
Nearly two-thirds of college students are taking more than four years to finish, Albert said.
So when comparing costs, it’s important to keep in mind how long it typically takes students to obtain degrees.
It’s also wise to find out whether someone qualifies for any tax deductions, Albert said. He added that it’s essential to know how much financial aid a college is offering, and what percentage is a scholarship and how much is a loan.
Too often, parents confuse the words financial aid with scholarship and can’t believe the cost when the bill arrives, Albert said.
At that stage, it may be too late for a student to pursue his or her other top choices because slots have filled.
The good news is money is available for students at colleges where they’re academically competitive, Albert said.
“Admissions and financial aid are locked in,” Albert said. “You cannot separate them. If a student is an academic fit for a school, there’s more financial aid available to them.”
Colleges want students who are the best fit because they’ll be more successful and they’ll become donors to their school down the road, Albert said.
The key is doing your homework.
“It is impossible to build a good college list to apply unless you have done the work before then,” Albert said. He added, “If you’ve got two on your list, that’s probably trouble. If you’ve got 12 or 13 or 14, that’s also trouble. You’re all over the place.”
Typically, his foundation recommends looking at six to eight schools.
“Ideally, on your list, you would like to have colleges that compete for the kind of student that you are,” Albert said. “That is a lot easier said than done.”
To be competitive, Blackwell said, students “need to have an idea of what their career is going to be, why they want it to be their career, what their major is going to be, why the major at that particular college is for them and then, why the college as a whole is on their list.
“And then, they need to be able tell them that, and then slip in the other colleges where they’re applying and why those colleges are also on their list,” Blackwell said.
Terri Albert, who also works at the foundation, said “the biggest mistake that we see is that the parents give this process to the student, and the parents accept whatever feedback the students give. … Parents need to be involved in this process because it is above the heads of everyone involved, even the parents.”
Guidance counselors and college admissions officers want the student to take the lead. That’s fine during the interview, but parents should be prepping students with the right questions to ask so they can make an informed decision.
For more information about college planning, visit www.therightfitfoundation.org or call (813) 968-8989.
Did you know?*
—Two out of three students do not graduate from college within four years.
—About 22 percent of students are taking more than six years to graduate.
—Fewer than 4 percent of colleges meet 100 percent of families’ financial need.
—People between the ages of 18 and 38 change jobs an average of 10 times.
—You can save thousands in tuition costs by having a clear strategy for finding the right career and major that truly matches the core personality traits of your student.
*Source: The Right Fit Foundation
Right Fit scholarship contest
The Right Fit Foundation announced its first annual $5,000 scholarship for Tampa-area high school students.
To qualify, students must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Pasco or Hillsborough counties and have a weighted high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Applicants must also attend one of the foundation’s free college admission and financial aid classes.
Finalists may be interviewed. One scholarship will be awarded. Students can register to attend a class on the website, www.therightfitfoundation.org, where the scholarship application is also available. The deadline for application is Jan. 15, and the winner will be notified March 15.
The scholarship is a one-time award and will be paid directly to the accredited four-year college or university of the winner’s choosing.
