FAQ #3: How do admissions offices feel about parents calling them on behalf of their sons and daughter?

ANSWER: Again, using your common sense is the best way to answer this concern. Colleges usually prefer to speak with students, but sometimes that’s just not possible. So if a parent calls, it’s useful to explain that your son or daughter is not available to ask the question because of his or her current schedule (in school all day, or involved with after-school activities until late, or away at a summer experience in Argentina, or whatever the circumstances might be). Whether it is a student or a parent, it’s still a good idea to get the name of the person with whom you speak so that you can ask to talk with this person the next time you call (particularly if that individual has been unusually helpful or nice to you).

WHAT TO SAY AND DO WHEN YOU STOP BY AN ADMISSIONS OFFICE
As you visit college campuses, stop by the admissions office to introduce yourself and say hello to whomever is there. Be sure to sign in or fill out a visitor card. If you don’t, your visit may go unnoticed. Here is what you might say and do:

Go to the desk or counter where there is a receptionist. Say something such as:

You: “Hi, I’m (your name) from (your high school) in (your town).”

Explanation: Who will be manning the admissions desk is always an unknown. You never know who it will be, especially at a small college. It could be a student or even the Dean of Admissions. So be on your toes: walk in with a smile on your face; act interested; and be polite.

Admissions Person: (Welcomes you to the campus. Some kind of reply.)

You: “Can you tell me the name of the admissions rep for (your high school)? If she/he is here today, I’d really love to meet her/him.”

Admissions Person: (Some kind of reply.) If the rep is not there, then ask for his/her business card.

Explanation: If the your admissions rep is available and comes out to meet you, introduce yourself and then be prepared to ask a few questions. E.g.:

You: “Hi, I’m (your name) from (your high school) in (your city).”

• Are you planning a visit to (your high school) in the next year?

• We are spending just a short amount of time on campus, is there anything in particular you can recommend that we do or see?

• Well, we have to be on our way. Thank you so much for coming out to say hello. Please let me know if you will be coming to (your high school) or (your city). By the way, may I have your card?”

Congratulations; you have just made a college contact.