What is the Easiest College to Get Into
Hey, everyone, and welcome back. Today, we're gonna be doing a deep dive into a topic that I know a lot of you are probably thinking about
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And maybe even stressing about a little bit, getting into college. Mhmm. And specifically, we're gonna be tackling this whole idea of easy colleges. Mhmm. What does that even mean?
Speaker 1:And, you know, is that the right approach for you?
Speaker 2:Yeah. You really hit the nail on the head by saying stress. You know, I see a lot of families. Right. And they get so caught up in that frenzy of, like, the super competitive colleges.
Speaker 1:Right. Right.
Speaker 2:But, you know, it's interesting because focusing only on those big name schools
Speaker 1:Mhmm.
Speaker 2:Can actually totally backfire.
Speaker 1:Really? That's so interesting. Why? Because isn't the goal to get into, like, the best school possible? Yeah.
Speaker 1:You know, the ones with those crazy acceptance rates in the single digits?
Speaker 2:It's really easy to fall into that trap. Right. But best is subjective. Right?
Speaker 1:Mhmm.
Speaker 2:What really matters is finding the right environment where a student can actually thrive and grow.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And high acceptance rates don't automatically mean a lower quality education. Uh-huh. Oh, Oh, interesting. It's about understanding, like, what drives those rates in the first place.
Speaker 1:So it's not just about bragging rights. Right. Like, my kid got into this school. There's more to it than that.
Speaker 2:Exactly. There's so much more to it. You know, think about a college's mission. Some colleges actually prioritize accessibility, especially community colleges
Speaker 1:Mhmm.
Speaker 2:Which, by the way, educate millions of students every year in the US.
Speaker 1:That's true.
Speaker 2:And then there's location. Right? So public universities, a lot of times, will favor in state applicants leading to higher acceptance rates
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:For those students.
Speaker 1:Makes sense. Yeah. Okay. So location plays a role. What about the difference between you know, we've got public colleges and private colleges.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:So how does that all play into this?
Speaker 2:Public colleges generally aim to serve larger student populations. So think about the California State University System.
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah.
Speaker 2:Some campuses in that system boast acceptance rates above 90%. Wow. Which totally, you know, challenges that myth that high acceptance equals lower quality.
Speaker 1:Right. Right.
Speaker 2:Private colleges, yeah, they can be more selective, but they also have a wide range of, like, missions and admissions policies.
Speaker 1:Okay. So I'm hearing that a high acceptance rate doesn't necessarily mean a less rigorous education But exact that's more nuanced than that.
Speaker 2:It is way more nuanced than that. So, for example, take Bismarck State College. They have a pretty high acceptance rate
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:But they offer these really specialized programs that prepare students for
Speaker 1:very specific careers. Oh, interesting.
Speaker 2:So it's about fit, not just prestige.
Speaker 1:Right. So how can students or their parents listening kinda move beyond just looking at those acceptance rates and saying, oh, that must be a good school or, oh, that must not be a good school. What are other factors they should consider when they're actually choosing where to go?
Speaker 2:Well, I think it's really important to think about, like, what are your interests? What are your goals? What kind of learning environment do you actually thrive in?
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Do you prefer smaller class sizes or a large bustling campus? These factors honestly matter just as much as acceptance rates.
Speaker 1:It's about finding the right fit
Speaker 2:It is.
Speaker 1:Not just forcing something Yes.
Speaker 2:To work. Absolutely.
Speaker 1:But I imagine GPA and test scores are still
Speaker 2:Oh, for sure.
Speaker 1:A factor.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. Academics still matter.
Speaker 1:Of course.
Speaker 2:But even here, there's some flexibility. A lot of colleges with high acceptance rates have actually gone test optional
Speaker 1:Oh, wow.
Speaker 2:Which means that students can choose whether or not to submit their SAT or ACT scores, and that opens up
Speaker 1:Oh, that's great.
Speaker 2:A lot more opportunities for students.
Speaker 1:That's a game changer for students who don't test well or have testing anxiety.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:All those things. Okay. So test scores. What about extracurriculars? I mean, do those still matter at these types of colleges?
Speaker 2:They do. They do. Because colleges really wanna see well rounded individuals, not just these, like, academic robots.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Think about it from their perspective. They're building a community. Right?
Speaker 1:Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 2:So activities, volunteer work, even a part time job, those all demonstrate initiative and passion. So it's about demonstrate initiative and passion.
Speaker 1:So it's about showing who you are beyond the grades. Absolutely. But are extracurriculars as crucial at these colleges compared to, like, you know, an Ivy League school?
Speaker 2:It's all relative. Right? But, you know, there's a 2023 report from
Speaker 1:ANSAC. Yeah.
Speaker 2:It's the National Association For College Admission Counseling.
Speaker 1:Mhmm.
Speaker 2:They found that about 44% of colleges consider extracurriculars to be moderately important.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:So even for schools with high acceptance rates
Speaker 1:Yep.
Speaker 2:They're still looking at the whole package.
Speaker 1:So even if a college isn't super selective, those extracurriculars still matter.
Speaker 2:Totally. It's about showcasing your interests and showing that you're engaged beyond the classroom.
Speaker 1:The classroom. And don't underestimate the skills you gain from those experiences too. Right? I mean, there's leadership
Speaker 2:For sure.
Speaker 1:Teamwork, time management, all those things. Huge. Those are valuable no matter where you go.
Speaker 2:Totally.
Speaker 1:Wow. This is all making me rethink how I view, like, the whole college application process. Yeah. It's less about chasing prestige and more about finding that right fit. But how do you even begin to do that?
Speaker 1:Like, how do you find those hidden gem colleges?
Speaker 2:Where research comes in.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And, thankfully, we have some fantastic online tools available now Oh, good. That can really help.
Speaker 1:There are so many resources out there. It can be really overwhelming.
Speaker 2:It can be.
Speaker 1:Where should students and families start?
Speaker 2:I think some excellent starting points are websites like College Navigator, Niche, and Big Future.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Those are great because they allow you to filter schools by different criteria
Speaker 1:Mhmm.
Speaker 2:Like acceptance rates, location Right. What majors they offer.
Speaker 1:Right. All sorts of stuff.
Speaker 2:Yeah. All sorts of things. So that's a really great way to kinda narrow down the options.
Speaker 1:Filtering is key. Yeah. I remember when I was applying to college, I just felt so lost.
Speaker 2:Heard a lot.
Speaker 1:There were just so many choices.
Speaker 2:Totally.
Speaker 1:But these tools can help you kinda hone in on some colleges you might not have even considered before.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:What about if you wanna dig a little deeper into a specific college? Where can you find more in-depth information?
Speaker 2:That's where something called the common dataset comes in.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:It's like this treasure trove of information That's
Speaker 1:pretty good.
Speaker 2:That every college publishes.
Speaker 1:Really?
Speaker 2:You can find acceptance rates, average GPAs Wow. Test scores of admitted students
Speaker 1:Mhmm.
Speaker 2:Financial aid data, even student demographics.
Speaker 1:So it gives you a really inside look A real in that sense. Dataset. It's like a secret decoder ring for college admissions.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:I wish I had known about that Me too. When I was applying. Yeah. So this can really help you understand the nuances of each college.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:And don't forget about good old fashioned exploration.
Speaker 2:Right? Yeah. Yeah. Like, actually visiting Visiting college websites.
Speaker 1:Website.
Speaker 2:Reading student reviews and attending you know, even virtual college fairs can give you a feel for the campus culture.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Getting a vibe.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Can you picture yourself there?
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Okay. Well, let's talk about you know, I think the elephant in the room for a lot of families is the stress of applications. So choosing colleges that maybe have less competitive admissions could actually reduce some of that anxiety.
Speaker 2:Right? Huge, huge factor.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:You know, think about it. Applying to a school where you have a pretty good chance of getting in
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:That can really boost your confidence. Yeah. And a lower pressure environment can really do wonders Right. For a student's well-being.
Speaker 1:It takes some of the weight off their shoulders. Totally. They could focus on, like, writing your essays
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And showing their passions instead of just, like, chasing Right. The impossible.
Speaker 2:Right. Just checking boxes.
Speaker 1:Yeah. But some might say that a less competitive environment could lead to maybe less motivation. What are your thoughts on that?
Speaker 2:I think that's a fair point, but I would argue that a less pressured environment can actually foster a different kind of motivation. Yep. One that's really driven by curiosity
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah.
Speaker 2:And a love of learning. Students might feel more comfortable taking academic risks
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Exploring new subjects Yeah. Discovering their passions without that constant fear of failure.
Speaker 1:So it's about fostering intrinsic motivation
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:Not extrinsic motivation.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:It comes from within. It does. And doesn't that often lead to actually deeper learning
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:And more engagement. For sure. When students aren't constantly striving to be the best tanks Yeah. They can actually focus on being their best selves.
Speaker 2:That's it. Right? They might be more willing to collaborate with classmates
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Seek help when needed, and really embrace that learn it process as a journey
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Not a destination.
Speaker 1:And that shift in perspective Huge. Can make all the difference.
Speaker 2:It can.
Speaker 1:So we talked about, you know, location matters. Yeah. Choosing between public and private colleges, all those factors. Mhmm. Is there also a potential financial advantage?
Speaker 2:Oh, often. Yes.
Speaker 1:Do choosing colleges with, you know, maybe a little bit less competitive admissions?
Speaker 2:Less selective colleges, a lot of times, actually have have more generous financial aid packages
Speaker 1:Oh, wow.
Speaker 2:And scholarship opportunities.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:They're really committed to making education accessible and affordable.
Speaker 1:So it's not just about reducing the stress for the students. It could actually save families money.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. A win win.
Speaker 1:A win win, which I know is a big concern for a lot of people.
Speaker 2:Sure.
Speaker 1:So that peace of mind Yes. Allows students to actually focus on their studies Yeah. And their future careers.
Speaker 2:And not have that burden of of debt. Right. Exactly. Over them.
Speaker 1:It just opens up possibilities they might not have even considered otherwise.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Okay. So you found these colleges that you're interested in. Mhmm. What are some key things that people should keep in mind when they're actually going through the application process?
Speaker 2:I think, 1st and foremost, it's important to understand the specific admission requirements
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Even with high acceptance rates. Colleges still have expectations. Right?
Speaker 1:Right. So don't slack off just because you think, oh, this is an easier college to get into.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:They still care about academics.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Okay. So we've talked about how these colleges often look at the whole picture.
Speaker 2:How can
Speaker 1:students really showcase their unique qualities beyond those grades and
Speaker 2:test scores? That's where your
Speaker 1:activities really come into play.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:I always tell students, you know, think of you the application as like a story. Okay. Your grades and your test scores, that's just one chapter.
Speaker 2:Got it.
Speaker 1:You gotta use your essays to tell the rest of your story.
Speaker 2:Oh, I like that.
Speaker 1:You know, what are your passions, your challenges, your aspirations?
Speaker 2:Show them who you are. Yeah. What you care about.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:What you're gonna bring to their campus.
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Speaker 2:Okay. Now you've mentioned that a lot of these colleges that maybe have higher acceptance rates have rolling admissions, which means they review the applications as they come in.
Speaker 1:As they get them.
Speaker 2:So getting your application in early Oh, huge. Can actually give you an edge. Absolutely. It shows you're interested.
Speaker 1:It does.
Speaker 2:You're motivated. Yeah. So don't wait till the last minute. Oh. Okay.
Speaker 2:Deadlines, they can be really daunting for people.
Speaker 1:Especially when you're applying to multiple colleges.
Speaker 2:For sure.
Speaker 1:Any tips for staying organized?
Speaker 2:Yeah. I mean, you know, create a calendar Okay. Or a spreadsheet
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:To track all those deadlines for each college.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:That includes, you know, application deadlines, financial aid deadlines, transcript deadlines. All of it. Yeah. Anything.
Speaker 1:All those little details.
Speaker 2:It can feel really overwhelming. So having a system in place can be really helpful.
Speaker 1:A little organization goes a long way.
Speaker 2:It does.
Speaker 1:But beyond the practicalities, what's the biggest piece of advice you would give to students and families who are navigating this whole process?
Speaker 2:I would say don't be afraid to really challenge those preconceived notions
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:About what defines a good college.
Speaker 1:Mhmm.
Speaker 2:The most important factor is finding the environment
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:That best supports you Mhmm. Your individual growth
Speaker 1:Flat.
Speaker 2:Your learning style, and your future aspirations.
Speaker 1:It's about finding the place where you can really be yourself and thrive. And sometimes that might mean choosing a college that's a little less competitive, a little more focused on nurturing your unique potential. Totally. And that can be a really powerful thing.
Speaker 2:Incredibly liberating.
Speaker 1:Yeah. It really is. It kinda takes the pressure off and allows students to focus on, like Yeah. What really matters Right. With their growth Absolutely.
Speaker 1:And development as a person.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And that's what makes this whole conversation about easier colleges so important. It's not about settling. Yeah. It's about being strategic and finding the best fit for each individual student.
Speaker 1:Right. It's about empowering students to take ownership of their education Yeah. And their future. And speaking of empowerment, we've talked a lot about, like, resources and tools. Yeah.
Speaker 1:But sometimes you need more than just information. Right? Right. Sometimes you need actual guidance Mhmm. A helping hand to kinda navigate this whole process.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Have you come across any resources that offer that kind of support?
Speaker 2:Yeah. Actually, there's this platform I learned about recently that I think is doing some really cool things in this area.
Speaker 1:Oh.
Speaker 2:It's called College Journey.
Speaker 1:College Journey.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And it uses AI to provide personalized guidance for families who are going through the college admissions process.
Speaker 1:AI for college admissions. That's really interesting. Tell me more about it.
Speaker 2:So they have this AI guide named Alice.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And she's designed to get to know each student individually.
Speaker 1:Oh,
Speaker 2:wow. Like, their interests, their strengths, their goals.
Speaker 1:It's amazing.
Speaker 2:It's like having a personal college counselor in your pocket.
Speaker 1:Wow. So it's not just about, like, spitting out data and numbers. Right. It's actually about understanding.
Speaker 2:Yeah. The human side of it.
Speaker 1:The human element of this whole process. Absolutely. That's so cool.
Speaker 2:And based on that understanding, Alice can provide, like, tailored recommendations, help you build a balanced college list Yeah. Even offer support with, like, essays and applications.
Speaker 1:So it really takes the guesswork out of the process and provides, like, a clear road map
Speaker 2:It does.
Speaker 1:To success.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And what's really impressive is that it's designed to be super user friendly
Speaker 1:Okay. Good.
Speaker 2:And accessible so you can access it from anywhere Right. Anytime. Plus, they have built in features to help keep families organized
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:And on track with deadlines and reminders.
Speaker 1:So it's like having a personal assistant for college admissions Totally. Which I think could be a game changer for a lot of families.
Speaker 2:I think so too.
Speaker 1:Especially for families who might not have access to, like, you know, the more traditional college counseling services.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. It really helps to level the playing field Right. And makes expert guidance available to everyone.
Speaker 1:What I appreciate most about what you're describing
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Is this focus on making the whole process less stressful Totally. And more manageable Yeah. For everyone involved.
Speaker 2:For sure. It's about taking that anxiety out of the equation Yeah. And replacing it with excitement and possibility.
Speaker 1:Couldn't have said it better myself. You know, it's about empowering students Mhmm. And their families to approach this whole college admissions thing with more confidence Mhmm. Clarity.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Well, this has been such an eye opening conversation.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It has.
Speaker 1:We've debunked some myths.
Speaker 2:You did.
Speaker 1:Explored some hidden gem colleges
Speaker 2:Hopefully.
Speaker 1:And discovered some resources that can really make a difference. Yeah. But I think most importantly, we've learned that this whole college admissions journey doesn't have to be this, like, cutthroat
Speaker 2:No.
Speaker 1:Race to the top. Doesn't. It can be a really thoughtful and empowering experience that leads students to the place where they're going to thrive.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:So to our listeners out there, whether you're just starting your college search or maybe you're, like, knee deep in applications Yeah. Remember to focus on fit. Mhmm. Explore all your options, and don't be afraid to challenge those preconceived notions about what defines a good college.
Speaker 2:It might just be the one you haven't even heard of yet. So keep an open mind. Do your research. Yeah. Trust your instincts.
Speaker 1:That's such a powerful message. It's about finding the place where you can be your authentic self
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:And pursue your passions without limitations. And if you're feeling a little overwhelmed or need a helping hand along the way Mhmm. Remember that there are resources like College Journey out there to guide and support you. Absolutely. There's no shame in seeking help.
Speaker 1:Mhmm. In fact, it's often the smartest move you can make.
Speaker 2:For sure.
Speaker 1:So embrace the journey, stay curious, and never stop exploring.
Speaker 2:That's it.
Speaker 1:Well, that's it for us today on the deep dive.
Speaker 2:Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1:Thanks for joining us on this exploration of you know, we talked about easier colleges Mhmm. And really the power of finding the right fit.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Until next time.
Speaker 2:Keep diving deep.
Speaker 1:Keep diving deep.
