It鈥檚 that time of year again, but I think we all know this fall looks a *bit* different than it has in the past. Instead of meeting you in-person in your classrooms, school gyms, or even big convention centers, we are all becoming very familiar with the immense variety of online/digital/virtual platforms available to connect us to each other. While I鈥檓 missing the old 鈥渘ormal,鈥澨齀 have really enjoyed the opportunity to expand the times during which I鈥檓 available to speak 1-on-1 with you online, and I know the other Admission Counselors here at the 乐播传媒 Boulder feel the same.
As the fall semester is in full swing in many locations around the world (and particularly here in Boulder), I have already attended a few virtual fairs and high school visits, given numerous information presentations over Zoom, and have met at all hours for virtual appointments with students from my territory (Asia). And I have learned a few things that I want to share with you about how to get the most out of attending these visits:
- Peruse the 鈥渧isit鈥� options available听on our site and reach out to your Admission Counselor听about any virtual meeting opportunities they may have scheduled for your school or region. The big benefit of visits being online is that so many presentations that were only available to students who could be in Boulder for events are now available to you! While we wish we could welcome you on campus, we are taking this opportunity to bring you virtually into our space via tours, specific college/program information sessions听and 1-on-1 appointments with your Admission Counselor.
- Prepare ahead of time: Our website听offers so much information that sometimes it can be difficult to get through all by yourself if you don鈥檛 know what you鈥檙e looking for. I recommend skimming the contents on our site for programs you鈥檙e interested, facts about Boulder that intrigue you, clubs and organizations that you want to join, and any other program or activity that jumps off the page to you. Then, when you meet with your counselor (virtually), you will have some questions ready for the 鈥淨uestion & Answer鈥� portion of the presentation (typically at the end of the session).
- Make a list of your priorities: What are the things you care about the most when choosing a college? Is it your intended program? Is it the location of the university? The size? Weather? Leadership or research opportunities? Keep track of key words in the presentation that indicate whether a college/university is going to be the right fit for you. And if we don鈥檛 talk about something in the beginning, ask us in the chat function. More often than not, we will be able to either address it in the session or connect you via the chat with someone who has the answer.
- Check your tech (and turn your camera on!): One of the things Admissions Counselors miss most right now is getting to see your face and really connecting with you. When all the cameras in a session are turned off, it can feel like we鈥檙e practicing in a mirror and only making eye contact with ourselves on the camera. It鈥檚 not fun. So if you feel comfortable, please do turn on your camera so we can more intentionally interact with you during the presentation. Most presentations will require you to have your microphone be muted throughout the presentation and then may give you permission to turn that function on at the end to ask questions. TIP: You don鈥檛 need to dress up, but I recommend being mindful of your surroundings as well as any images/phrases that are in the background or on your clothing.
- Follow up with us: We know no one likes being ghosted and try to reach out to as many of you as possible after virtual visits, but with online sessions being available to so many people, it means a LOT of emails. So contact us directly and start a conversation via email. We are excited to talk to you and we will send links and more information to clarify any questions you may have.
We are so excited to welcome you virtually into our community as you consider the many options in front of you for your higher education journey. Keep an eye out for more application tips and tricks on this blog in the coming months. We hope to "CU" in a Zoom room soon!
听
Alexa Brown
Senior International Admission Counselor
Office of Admissions
alexa.brown@colorado.edu