Managing Expectations with College Admissions

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*Registration payment includes Credit Cards and Interfund Transfers ONLY.

Target Audience

Any high school student that is preparing to complete college applications.

Description

This workshop helps high school students navigate the often overwhelming world of college admissions by teaching them how to manage expectations and focus on finding the colleges that best fit their goals, interests, and strengths. Through guided discussions and interactive activities, students explore what “best fit” truly means, considering factors such as academic programs, campus culture, location, cost, and long-term opportunities. The workshop also highlights current admissions trends, including holistic review practices, shifting testing policies, and the increasing importance of authentic involvement over résumé stuffing. Students will learn how to interpret admissions data realistically, understand acceptance rates in context, and recognize that selectivity does not equal quality. Elizabeth West will provide strategies for building balanced college lists and approaching the process with confidence rather than pressure. By the end, students will gain a healthier, more informed perspective on admissions—empowering them to make thoughtful, personalized decisions about their future.


This webinar will be broadcast with Zoom. Instructions to join the webinar will be emailed prior to the event. Please go to our live webinar requirements page for more information and to test the computer/device and network prior to the event.



Speaker
Elizabeth West

Objectives

• Help students develop realistic expectations about college admissions by understanding how acceptance rates, application trends, and holistic review practices influence outcomes.
• Guide students in identifying their personal “best fit” colleges by evaluating academic interests, campus culture, learning environments, finances, and long-term goals.
• Equip students with tools to interpret current admissions trends—such as test-optional policies, shifting evaluation criteria, and evolving applicant priorities—to make informed decisions throughout the application process.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the college search by encouraging students to consider how campuses support diverse communities and by helping them recognize the value of inclusive environments where all identities and backgrounds can thrive.

Sessions