cc license, 350.org

When most students prepare to go to college, they think about things like the major they will choose, the profession they will seek, and the kind of income they will one day earn to support themselves and their lifestyle.  To be sure, education plays a major role in students’ achieving all of these things.  Yet academics alone should not be a student’s only concern, according to some college admissions professionals.

“When you choose a college, you need to think about life beyond the classroom, as well as what you learn inside the classroom,” says Thomas Schaefer, Ph.D., associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of admissions at La Roche College in the North Hills.  “When we interview students for admission, we look at what they’ve done academically, and we also look at what activities they’ve been part of, too.  We want to attract well-rounded students, and we encourage them to expand their interests at college.”

In fact, getting involved in activities at college can be key to a student’s positive experience, Dr. Schaefer says.  As students delve into a new world of independence, he notes, it can be comforting to be part of a group activity in which they share interests with others.  Sports programs are a great example of how students meet new people and continue to develop skills they’ve acquired in high school.

cc license, roulo

At large colleges and universities, heading into intramurals may be the way to go because the level of athletic ability may be more conducive to the “casual” college athlete, according to La Roche’s Director of Athletics Jim Tinkey.  He said that some ranked colleges and universities have rigid guidelines regarding how students qualify for any given team.  Be sure to ask about programs you’re interested in when you’re doing your college search, he advises.

“If you have an athletic interest and ability, let the school’s coaching staff or admissions team know that,” Tinkey says.

At smaller institutions, students may find it easier to become part of the school’s rostered athletic programs.  “Often, at smaller schools, everyone has a chance to make the team,” Tinkey notes, “but it depends on level of skill.  At La Roche, we can’t automatically guarantee that every athlete will make the team, but we do meet with students who have a genuine interest and ability to play.”

La Roche fields 11 intercollegiate athletic teams competing in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) of the NCAA Division III.

In addition, for students who are looking for activities outside the realm of athletics, the college supports more than 30 student organizations, including a student newspaper, the Student Government Association, the Writers’ Center, and academic and social clubs.

“It’s important for you to find your niche in college, just as it was in high school,” Dr. Schaefer says.  “It may be academics, it may be athletics – and it may just be a little of both.  Explore until you find the right fit.”

This article was written by La Roche College. Read the complete article in our current issue of Al Jamiat Magazine.

People who enjoyed this post also read:

• Managing the Transition to University Life in the United States
• Train travel around the US
• University of Cincinnati