Each year Island Pacific Academy juniors and seniors speak with college admissions representatives from dozens of colleges and universities without having to leave the IPA campus. “We host visits from schools all over the country and even a few abroad,” says Dean of College Counseling, Kori Shlachter. “A variety of schools–public and private, large and small, urban and rural–come to IPA. This gives our students a chance to ‘see’ a school they may otherwise not have a chance to visit in person.”
A sampling of logos from the dozens of colleges and universities that will visit Island Pacific Academy this year to speak with IPA juniors and seniors interested in their schools.
Shlachter will invite schools to send a representative for a number of reasons. “Students can make a request through me to invite a particular college to send a representative,” she explains. “I request a visit when I notice a lot of IPA students are or are considering applying to a school. And sometimes, schools will hear about us and they call to arrange a visit.” Schools visiting IPA for the first time this year include Swarthmore, Vassar, Colorado College, and Kenyon.
Students attend a college visit with a representative from Linfield College.
For the students who attend these on-campus college visits, which typically last 45-60 minutes, it’s time well-spent. “A lot of the people who come to represent a university or school are the deans or someone high up in the admissions offices, someone who will probably be the one reading our students’ applications,” says Shlachter. A college admissions representative typically comes with brochures and other literature for the students and gives a presentation similar to what someone who visits the campus in person would see. “Students have the opportunity to ask specific questions. It’s a chance to get to know the school and maybe even the person who will be reviewing their application.”
College and university visits are listed on the News and Events calendar; the image above is how the calendar appears when filtered for “College Counseling.”
“Besides getting put on a college’s mail and email lists, attending a session is a great way for a student to ‘demonstrate interest’ in a school,” says Shlachter. Having attended a session is sometimes noted on a student’s application during the admissions decision process. Students sign up to attend a session on Naviance, the college and career-planning software program IPA students can access. “For juniors, the sessions offer a chance to explore options and compare schools. Our seniors, tend to ask questions that focus on specifics about the applications process and deadlines. It’s a chance to get an honest opinion from someone who works at the school and may have even attended the school themselves.”
