Dean Wylie Mitchell: Good afternoon. Thank you for the opportunity to talk with you about the college admissions process. I look forward to answering your questions and listening to your comments.

As the Dean of Admissions for a highly selective liberal arts college, I do understand the ins and outs of the process for institutions such as Bates College, but also am well aware of general information for a very wide range of post secondary school options.

washingtonpost.com: Dean Mitchell,

What advice do you have for seniors who will be entering their last year of high school this fall? What should they be doing to prepare for the college selection and application process?

Dean Wylie Mitchell: The advice is to organize the information you're receiving from the colleges. Keep a calendar for the various open house programs, the application deadlines, etc.

Also it's important to work with teachers or guidance counselors who can assist with the college selection process.

New York, NY: What are some things that high school students can do to get into good colleges?

Dean Wylie Mitchell: During the four years of high school students can be involved in a number of activities both in and out of their school as a way to explore many areas of interest. Often these activities will lead a student to develop a more in-depth level of involvement in the activity and many students will describe developing a "passion".

These activities might include sports, community service, arts and the colleges will often take note of the level of involvement and degree of accomplishment that students achieve during their high school years.

While students should not be pursuing particular activities "just to get into college," very often their interests will develop into life-long pursuits.

Potomac, MD: My teachers always tell me community service is important for college. How true is this?

Dean Wylie Mitchell: Many colleges do recruit students who have interest and experience in community service. From my point of view, community service activities suggest that the perspective student will take an interest in their college community and its surrounding communities.

Here at Bates, we have successfully developed the concept of Service Learning as something different from community service. Our faculty and students are engaged in taking some of their coursework from the classroom into our city and applying to particular organizations such as area hospitals, businesses, law offices, schools, etc.

DC: If you can't visit every school, how do you know which one is right for you?

Dean Wylie Mitchell: Its become easier for students to "visit" colleges by using the internet. For example, most college internet addresses are easy to identify. In the case of my college, the address would be www.bates.edu and for other colleges it would simply be a matter of putting in the name of the college.

Alumni and currently enrolled college students can provide helpful information about college and campus life for students who are unable to visit. There are also many opportunities in the fall for students to meet with reps of the college who will attend local college fair programs or visit their high schools

herndon va: My daughter is in a the IB program. Are there any advantages when applying for colleges especially in the wash metro area? Thanks.

Dean Wylie Mitchell: This is an interesting question because it illustrates the fact that there is a tremendous variety of secondary schools throughout the country and overseas.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum is one that colleges are very interested in because of its rigor and interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning.

Most high schools will send a "profile" of the school with the transcript so that the college admissions committee can understand the courses offered and the levels of instruction. The profile also enables the admissions committee to gain an insight into the community in which the student resides and other factors.

For some colleges there are advantages to students who would represent geographic diversity. Likewise some state institutions would give preference to in state residents.

Cleveland, OH: What do colleges look for when they look at what students to take?

Dean Wylie Mitchell: There are three main areas that our admissions committee considers when reviewing applications:

1) The individual's background and interests

2) The student's academic preparation and record

3) Recommendations, application essays, and interviews

Each of these might carry different weight at different types of colleges and universities. At our college, the interview is an important part of our application process as we are very interested in getting to know the person who has decided to apply. Additionally, Bates is one of several colleges that makes the submission of standardized testing optional.

I recommend speaking with the admissions officers at the particular institutions you are considering.

Arlington, VA: What suggestions do you have for someone who wants to go back to college? for a second degree?

Dean Wylie Mitchell: There are some wonderful opportunities for individuals to go back to college which sometimes includes getting a second degree.

The opportunities at community colleges, technical colleges, as well as other local institutions enable many individuals to be part time students while pursuing employment, family, or other interests.

Bethesda, Md.: Mr. Mitchell -- My brother will be a rising junior in high school this year. His academic performance to date has been unimpressive; he has refused to take school seriously and as a result has mostly C's and D's (with the occasional A and B here and there). If he gets serious about his studies and starts pulling down solid grades, can he still gain admission into a four-year college? How much do admissions committees really care about upward trends?

Dean Wylie Mitchell: This is an interesting question. Because of the variety of higher education options, there would be schools that would take a great interest in a student who is perhaps developing a strong academic record at the end of their high school experience. There might be a great resource in the guidance or college placement office at his high school which could give specific advice for courses this year, as well as college options for next year.

I am not convinced that all students should go directly from high school into college. Many students will benefit from taking a year off, or deferring their admission, to pursue interest in travel, or work, or specialized study. This summer we have deferred several students who will be taking part in exchange programs, working with the City Year Program, and travel.

Sometimes the motivation to succeed in the classroom comes as a result of mixing the experiences of both in-school and out-of-school activities.

Bowie, MD: When writing a college application essay, what are some things that college admissions people look for?

Dean Wylie Mitchell: I hope it will make sense to say that our admissions committee tries to hear the "voice" of the student when we read their college admissions essays. We think that "good writing" can address any topic. Our hope is to learn as much as we can about the individual through their response to the essay question.

Keep in mind that some admissions officers may be reading thousands of essays. It will be important for applicants to use all of the skills that would make their English teachers proud, while addressing a topic or issue which will give insight into the author's points of view, feelings, expectations, and so on.

Of course, essays are a part of the "subjective" information that is in the college application. It is an appropriate question for you to ask of the college admissions officer what role the essay will play in the admissions decision. We very often find the essay to be one of the pivotal parts of our decision making process, and one of the most enjoyable and interesting elements of the application review.

Arlington, VA: I'm interested in your comments on taking a year off between high school and college. Can you tell us more about the benefits and drawbacks of doing this, what is lost or gained by deferred admissions, and specific activities for students between schools?

Dean Wylie Mitchell: While there may be some drawbacks, I see mostly benefits for the student who has some particular interest that they would like to pursue prior to starting their college education. A recent graduate spent a year teaching on a reservation and then used some of his experience in that community when he enrolled at the college. I remember hearing some stories of class discussions, where the student brought some real life experience into the classroom. Another student who spent a year in Germany was able to increase their fluency enabling them to enroll in a third year German course in their first year of college.

Many students benefit from another year of maturity prior to college. Other students may develop a greater motivation for their academic work as a result of their experience before matriculation.

Many guidance counselors could assist a student interested in exploring a list of activities between graduation and the first year of college. There is an organization called the Venture Consortium that sets up internships for students who would like to have a pre-college experience.

washingtonpost.com: Hi Dean Mitchell,
College students sometimes find the admissions process confusing. What are some tips you have on making this process easier for them and their parents?

Dean Wylie Mitchell: This is a good question and there are a number of things students can do to take some of the confusion out of the process.

I would recommend dividing the stages of the admissions process into at least three, which I will call:
- identifying the possibilities,
- narrowing down the possibilities
- and deciding on a plan

In the first stage, usually undertaken prior to the senior year of high school, students will identify upwards of twenty or thirty institutions that they are interested in. During this time, it is advisable to visit colleges, sign up for standardized tests, get on mailing lists by calling, writing or e-mailing the colleges.

During the next stage, students will make decisions as to particular post secondary options that have the best "fit" with their plans. Often size, location, curriculum, special programs, affordability and financial aid, will be among the points of comparison.

Next, in selecting five or six colleges to which the student might apply, more subjective comparisons on admissions requirements, social atmosphere, quality and accessibility of the faculty, housing options, and the availability of a wide number of extra curricular offerings.

Finally, I think it's good advice to encourage students to keep the "boundaries" on the entire college selection process in place. What I mean is that students should not let this become a 24/7 exercise when in fact, students can identify one day a week when this is an important task to which they should give their full attention. This would free up the rest of the week for all the fun and important activities of their senior year of high school.

Dean Wylie Mitchell: It's been a pleasure answering your questions regarding the college application process. Its important for students and families to keep in mind that a connection that is made between the secondary school experience and the post secondary school opportunities and realize that there are many resources available for assistance.

Students will find that high school counselors as well as college admissions and financial aid counselors are eager to assist students and families with the process of applying to college.

Good luck and best wishes.

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