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Communicating with High School Students

Whether you are a high school counselor or an admissions counselor, you have probably all been scratching your heads trying to figure out the best way to disseminate information to high school students. As a school counselor, I find myself counting on both hands the number of times I have to repeat myself or refer students to the same resource to find information. We have asked students many times at Linn-Mar what the best way is to get information out to them (see table below). You can see that text messaging ranks highest with email and Twitter following closely behind. Below is a list of 5 resources that we have found helpful when communicating with students.

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Are We Confusing the Higher Education Consumer?

Discount rate, net price, average indebtedness, college rankings, early decision, highly selective, selective, open admission, AP credits, dual credit, enrollment fees, deposits, graduation rates, completion rates, we’re No. 1, they’re No.1 and the list goes on and on!  Are you confused yet?

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The Two-Way Street

We all know communication has changed. Twenty years ago, as an Admissions Representative, I received letters, postcards, and flyers in the mail from Iowa ACAC...you know, that stuff that comes on paper by a person who delivers it through rain, hail, sleet or snow...with information on college fair registration and the individual fairs, spring conference, and the Scenes newsletter. I'd open each and every item, save as needed, note on a calendar, or throw in the trash can. We do all of those same things today, but electronically. Unfortunately, we sometimes feel inundated with email and get overwhelmed. Then we become selective. Then we overlook. Then we miss out.

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15 Years R.I.D.E“ing” Strong!

The 15th Annual R.I.D.E. (Rediscovering Iowa’s Diverse Education) took place June 11-14, 2017, in eastern Iowa. Thirty-one high school and independent counselors from throughout the state of Iowa visited Kirkwood Community College, Northeast Iowa Community College (Peosta), University of Dubuque, Loras College, Clarke University, Cornell College, Mount Mercy University, and Coe College. The participants toured the various campuses, learned about admission requirements and heard from faculty, current student, and several college presidents about the unique mission of each institution. A huge thank you to the host institutions for their amazing hospitality including providing meals and giveaways, coordinating the many details of the visits, and providing overnight accommodations. Partial funding for the R.I.D.E. was also provided by an Imagine Grant from the National Association for College Admission Counseling. All attendees expressed how beneficial this free event was for their professional knowledge and well as the many students they serve! Thank you to these wonderful counselors for taking time to join us. 
Please keep your eyes open for information on next year’s R.I.D.E.  Looking forward to another great event next year!

Fair Thinking

My husband and I made our biennial sojourn to the Iowa State Fair this year. Our walk through the Varied Industries Building always brings back memories about the many years I worked there, while in college admissions. Most noticeable change for me? The number of colleges with displays in the Varied Industries Building. 

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