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INTERVIEW |
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Dr.
Strauss on the College Admissions Process |
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Q: Dr. Strauss, people make all sorts of decisions in their lives, including major decisions such as which home to buy or whom to marry. Why do decisions surrounding college admissions seem to be so stressful for people?
A: What I have seen is that high school is a time of tremendous personal change, and as college approaches most students don’t feel like they know what they want. In addition, the sheer range of choice can be overwhelming. You know, there are over 2,500 four-year colleges and universities in the United States.
It’s very difficult even with some visits to feel truly informed. Of course, people make decisions all the time on limited information, but there is a sense that this is a momentous decision, and that it will profoundly affect the kind of person they are to become. People also feel the stress of knowing that it can have significant implications for their future economic livelihood, and, of course, everyone wants a place where they are going to fit in socially. Finally, there are tremendous financial costs. You add up all of this, and I think it would be surprising if there wasn’t a good deal of anxiety associated with the college admissions process. |
Q: Given all these factors, if a high school student comes to you, how can you help?
A: Well, first I provide information. Often, a lot of time can be saved by identifying key features of schools, such as size, location or major, which allow students to focus their energies in the right places. But that is really just the beginning.
My goal isn’t just to provide information but to give students and their families a structured way of working through the complex web of decisions that must be made in applying to college. And, I try to do this in a way that is nurturing and supportive. The process is to help students figure out who they are, what is special about their interests and personalities, and then we work together to find colleges and universities that are a match. I want to reassure students that it is all right to feel some anxiety about their decisions. By recognizing that decision-making involves uncertainty, and then approaching the process in a deliberate and organized manner, applying to college can become manageable and even enjoyable.
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Q: You have a unique background in that you have a master’s degree in counselor education and a doctoral degree in school psychology, and you have worked for many years as a school psychologist. What role does your background play?
A: My approach is to help students internally identify their values, interests and goals and then externally figure out which schools fit best for them. My skills in counseling are very useful in helping students find their inner compass and maintain that focus rather than being distracted by external forces which can
lead to feeling overwhelmed and confused. As a school psychologist, I was instrumental in helping students and families make educational decisions, and helped to design educational strategies that would make learning more successful. I’ve spent a great deal of time analyzing student’s learning styles and trying to find a good educational fit for them. Finding a good college match is an extension of this thinking process.
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Q: How do you help students with learning differences?
A: Sometimes students with learning differences can feel discouraged going into the college selection process. The first thing I want to tell them is that there are different options for them to accomplish their goals. Of course, it takes thought and serious planning and, as with everyone, consideration of strengths and weaknesses. But during the course of my career we have made tremendous strides in understanding learning differences and developing strategies for helping students cope with them. And the good news is that this knowledge is being put to use today in higher education. There are colleges that have various levels of specialized programs and supports to help students with learning differences succeed. What I do for students with learning differences--in addition, of course, to what I do for all students--is to help them find the programs that will work for them.
Q: How did you wind up as a college admissions consultant?
A: From the time I took my first psychology class in high school, when I was trying to figure out who I was and what I would do with my life, I have been drawn to the field of psychology. I guess you might say it’s a calling. I majored in psychology in college, and then continued to expand my knowledge and skills all through graduate school. I did some counseling earlier in my career, but I have found myself more interested in helping people make carefully considered
educational and life decisions.
What I love about college consulting is how positive it is. I’m working with people at a time in their life when there is so much possibility, so much hope. I find the optimism and vitality of young adults very inspiring. It seems sad that, for some people, their vitality gets eroded over time, often by the decisions they’ve made. So, for me, the meaning in this work comes from trying to guide young people through the process of making decisions that are going to nurture their vitality. There is a wonderful quote by the poet Mary Oliver that I keep on my desk that really captures for me the richness and challenge of college counseling: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life.”
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