Never Answer the ONE Question Colleges Will Always Ask You (if you want to get in)

Throughout the entire college process, colleges are trying to figure out whether or

not a prospective student is a good fit for their c ampus . They are constantly asking

interested students questions – at college fairs, informational sessions, on their websites,

in the applications themselves, interviews, etc.

The types of questions the colleges ask sound

like they’re about them, but what they’re really

asking for information about you. For example,

when asked the perennial favorite “Why do you want

to attend our college?” The last thing you want to do

is go on and on about how wonderful you think their

college is – that’s not the answer they’re looking for!

They will ask you questions about your

activities, your academics, your thoughts on the

world around you, etc. But there is one question

you almost always get – likely directly in a

conversation – “What other colleges are you

considering (or applying to)?”

There is ONE fundamental problem with

answering that question . If you answer it with a laundry list of other colleges you’re

considering applying to, you could damage your opportunities at that college on the spot.

Here is why.

When colleges make an admissions decision, if it we re simply a matter of how

much they could “get out of you” in tuition, then a nyone who could pay the bill

would get in — and we know that isn’t the case . Getting a tuition check, so they can

make their budgets, is only part of their concern. They are also looking at students for

the value they bring to campus or results they are going to achieve while on their

campus (and serve as marketing tools for the college in the future).

So, when the colleges are asking “What other colleg es are you considering?”, they

are looking to see who their competition will be wh en it comes decision

time. College Admissions Officers are constantly thinking to themselves, “If we say yes to

this student, how likely is this student actually going to attend our college (i.e. pay us

money, offer us value or get great results)?”

Answering the “What other colleges are you consider ing?” question doesn’t help

them see your value one whit - but it does help them get a sense of who their

competition for you may be. If they don’t like the anwers you give, they could decide that

rather than compete for you, they’ll simply “bow out”. They will say “no thanks” to you in

favor of a student they think is more interested in attending their college.

The solution? Do not give them an answer to that question. Instead, provide an “obvious

answer” and then “redirect” the conversation with a question of your own. One where you

can give them a glimpse of your interest in them. That is how you can find out more about

them, describe yourself and they sell themselves on you based on the “value” you would

bring to campus.

Now, by the way, this situation does not just happe n during interactions and

conversations with college admissions’ officers and other admissions

representatives (like current students of the college at informational sessions). This

question also comes up frequently on applications. The answer is always the same,

though. Provide an obvious answer and then re-direct the narrative.

Your Smart Plan For College™ Assignment:

Never discuss the colleges you’re applying to durin g your interactions with college

representatives. You will almost always hurt your c hances. Here is what I

recommend my clients say to the representative of XYZ College when they are asked:

“I’m considering a few additional colleges right now, but, haven’t really made an decisions

yet (except for XYZ – only add this part if it’s 100% true). But, while I have you here, I

would really like to ask you about …..” and fill in with a question you have created as part

of your criteria you’re using to investigate the colleges to see if they’re a good fit for you.

Done. You’re able to reaffirm your HIGH level of interest in the college and demonstrate

some thoughtfulness and value (inquisitive, deliberate, smart) and then you’re all set to

move on and “close the deal” later in your carefully prepared application with dynamite

essay, if and when you decide to apply to that college.

Now, if you’re not sure what kind of questions you should be asking of the colleges

we have got to change that ASAP.

The Smart Plan For College Quick Start System™ avoids all the unnecessary stuff.

It gives you the most important things to do to ide ntify what you want as a result of

a college education, get clarity on what you offer, develop and deliver a compelling

message to get you IN, and make sure you leave no s tone unturned when it comes

to finding scholarships and financial aid from the colleges to help you pay the

bill. All the tools, scripts, templates, and exampl es are handed to you on a silver

platter. The best investment you can make, by far, in achieving college success by

design, rather than by default. Get your copy

at http://www.SmartPlanForCollegeSystem.com