It is TIme to Change the College Application Process

It is high time that the process of applying to college changed! It is so ridiculous to me that every US family with a college-bound junior in high school takes the same path - trying to identify the 10 colleges (out of 3,500) that will be the perfect match for their child. We all read the web sites, visit if we can, talk to people, and support our seniors during the application process - only to worry if we missed the perfect college.

Some of us are blessed with college counselors, others use programs like Naviance, the collegeboard web site, or other resources, and some just fend for themselves! To "balance the playing field" for families, students and colleges, I propose that we reverse the entire system.

I think that all high school sophomores, when they take the PSAT should register on the College Search Registry (CSR). They should complete a demographic survey, a personality profile, and as they complete classes, enter their grades and courses, SAT or ACT scores, and preferences about colleges, as they develop them. That way, all of the colleges could search, sort and find the students that will do well on their campuses! Students get invites from colleges that want them to visit, and students and their families are less stressed!

Viola - all of the colleges get the students they need and students get a look from all the colleges, not just the ones parents, teachers, or students find themselves! Now, all I need is a funder!

What do you think?

Photo credit: jakeliefer

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