College Admissions & Undergraduate Success Gap Year? Finances Changed? Tips for New College Freshman

Greetings Students and Families!

• colleges and universities (and high schools) are resuming in-person learning — are you ready? 
• AP exam credit policies may have changed (impacts currently enrolled HS students too) 
• there’s the looming reality of how your semester will be impacted should you become ill with COVID or the pandemic impacts your campus/school. 
• For some families, economic uncertainty may require an adjustment to your financial aid package– understanding how to do so or request a Leave of Absence if attendance is currently out-of-reach can be challenging. Knowing whether to request a “deferral” or “LOA” or “financial update” and how to navigate these processes is essential to maintaining your college plan.

My rising high school juniors (2023) and seniors (2022) spent the past few months engaging in college research exploring differences across majors by reviewing curriculum maps and research institutes.  In case you missed my resources, I invite current high school students to take a first or second look.
Click to Read: College Planning: Finding Your “Fit” — What College – What Major? 

College Admissions Planning: HOW TO SELECT A COLLEGE and A MAJOR That “FITs” YOU!

For recent high school graduates, now that you’re ready to begin your undergraduate experience- you’ll be heading off to a college campus. You may have spent much of high school online. Yet, in a college classroom, you’re expected to engage– in most STEM and Business courses, your syllabus will often have a class participation component and there’s plenty of (non-negotiable) group project work. Be ready to adapt- reimagine how your social interaction might have looked pre-pandemic and emerge back into normalcy with ease and grace.

I’ve been writing about the impact of COVID in so many aspects of education since March 2020. Fundamentally- we all agree that learning is the objective. Fortunately, school districts across the country and universities made adjustments and you completed high school in a different learning setting. Even with great technology, not all teachers/professors provided the same level of quality as they had done in the traditional classroom. Be honest with yourself on areas of content you may have missed – and consider this carefully as you plan out your initial semester at college. Many classes are based on the assumption that you have the academic foundation- if you don’t – reconsider advancing too quickly.

For college students– as you get ready to prepare to select your courses — I encourage you to validate your professor’s teaching reputation — the stronger the teaching evaluations, it’s a good indicator that your professor enjoys teaching and therefore, moving seamlessly from the online classroom back to the traditional setting is more likely. Don’t get me wrong- teaching evaluations have a myriad of issues – but it’s a good place to start. I also want to assure you- colleges actively put their BEST TEACHERS in freshman classrooms- it’s part of their effort to work towards freshman success and a positive transition.

 

You can also look to social media and talk with currently enrolled undergraduates about their professors.  Taking the time to select courses and professors is essential for a solid educational experience .

If you have documented learning disabilities that directly impact your ability to process information in an online learning forum, I have more to say below about those accommodations that may be needed for your situation.

Colleges have historically gone to great lengths to design elaborate freshman orientation plans to bring students together as a community, navigate academic policies and make sure the initial year is a successful one.

But what do you do if for medical or personal reasons, you simply want to sit this one out?! (I’ll discuss financial reasons – hang on).

NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR ME: SHOULD I TAKE A LEAVE OF ABSENCE vs. DEFERRAL vs. GAP YEAR

LEAVE OF ABSENCE vs.

DEFERRAL vs.

GAP YEAR

*** If you are a currently enrolled undergraduate, you can apply for a “Leave of Absence” up to the first week or so of a semester without a tuition penalty. Your college catalog will detail the steps for approval. These need to be approved. Acceptable reasons include medical documentation and concerns about COVID with a physician’s statement. Family emergencies, personal illness – also valid reasons. If you need time off – there’s no rush. LOA is NOT an option for an incoming freshman.

As an incoming freshman, you cannot take a LOA because you haven’t yet matriculated. However, you can apply for a “deferral” vs. a “Gap Year”.

Gap year approvals require an educational plan. Deferrals are different and I have to be honest. With declining college enrollments and shrinking budgets, there is a possibility your spot will be offered to someone on the waitlist. But not necessarily.

Deferral Approval: If your deferral involves a medical reason or a need to assist in the economics of your home (assist in childcare of younger siblings, assist in family business, etc.) you have a great chance of having your request approved.

If you or a close family member has an underlying health condition, and living on campus is precluded- your request will very likely be approved.

Parents are cautioned not to bring their own bias to the process as part of our desire to encourage independence. Students should be realistic- it’s clear you are ready and desire to leave home to start your college career – but if you need to revisit and think this all through begin with a family conversation.

I can help you assess your situation, your university plans and submit your request for a deferral/gap year. Gap years are different from “deferrals” as you are requesting approval of a different plan- one that is educational in nature- not just a chill/pause.

Click to connect with me.

PAYING FOR COLLEGE WHEN OUR FINANCES HAVE CHANGED  – Affordability – Finances Changed?

Affordability – Finances Changed?

 Finally- what if you can no longer afford to attend. Job loss, business revenue declines and other unforeseen circumstances have placed some families in a position of economic uncertainty. You immediately need to file a request for a re-evaluation of financial aid. The process will involve a financial aid appeal. You will need to provide documentation- a recent paystubs or unemployment stubs or quarterly tax returns. The college will have a process to follow and truly do aim to assist when needed.

Your financial aid package will be recalculated. Keep in mind, when you file your 2022 tax form, you’ll be asked to submit and even if the fall 2022 package is adjusted–the package can readjust for spring 2023 if your economic situation returns to the level reported on your FAFSA that was calculated based on 2020 tax returns. It’s complicated but it’s a process to attempt if your family income /employment situation has changed dramatically.

Do you need to transfer?  

Bonnie R. Rabin, Ph.D.

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