Who is The "Selector"?

College Selection Season is upon us.  But who’s doing the selecting? 

Rather than see a college as “selecting” you, why not reimagine yourself as selecting the college?  Just that simple action of seeing yourself as the selector ensures you will be successful in college and life!

Research shows that success in college, work and life depends upon that spirit of engagement – not where you go to school.  What exactly does “engagement” mean?  You are driven to seek out the resources, people and experiences you need to have a joyful, purpose-filled life.   If you take that drive to engage into any college, you will be successful on campus, and later in career and life.

In a Stanford University “Challenge Success” White Paper on College Admissions, the authors cite The Gallup-Purdue study that lists six key college engagement experiences that portend success in one’s post-college life: 

1. TAKING A COURSE with a professor who makes learning exciting.

2. WORKING WITH PROFESSORS who care about students personally.

3. FINDING A MENTOR who encourages students to pursue personal goals.

4. WORKING ON A PROJECT across several semesters.

5. PARTICIPATING IN AN INTERNSHIP that applies classroom learning.

6. BEING ACTIVE IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

And life “success” includes financial success.   In a study of over 14,000 students that paired statistically identical students where both were selected to attend a high-ranking college, but one declined and attended a less-selective school, there was no difference in later financial success.  Dale and Krueger (2002, 2014) found that that college selectivity had no effect on long-term earnings. 

This was true with one exception:  first-generation and traditionally underserved minorities did fare better, financially, from attending a more selective college.

In College Selection Season, re-imagine yourself as the Selector.  What experiences, teachers, courses, and mentors will further your life mission?  

That selective mindset ensures a life-time of success.

(#collegesuccess,#collegeengagement,#ChallengeSuccess,#collegeselectivity,#rightschool,#collegementor,#collegerankings)