For Many Juniors and Seniors Next Stop: College

As November approaches, college prep season is in full swing at Santa Barbara High School (SBHS). College visits occur at the College and Career Center almost every week, giving students a view into what life is like at universities far and near.

Representatives from across the country come to show students what makes their respective college special, and students have the opportunity to learn about different aspects of colleges and what makes each one potentially the right fit for them. These visits can greatly aid in helping juniors and seniors pinpoint what they’re looking for in a college, and what that application process will look like.

Throughout October, schools such as Stanford, the University of Southern California, Claremont McKenna College, and Eckerd College have been among the many visiting SBHS. For many students, these visits can help narrow down the endless list of choices, and hone in on their interests. Senior Zero Drake says, “I go to a lot of visits, even if I’m not interested in that college, just to learn more about four-year colleges in general.” Drake has been to over seven visits this year, and he reports that they help in figuring out what a student wants in a college or university, from location and majors to the culture and community.

Earlier this year, Drake attended the presentation hosted in the Visual Arts and Design Academy (VADA) building by California College of the Arts (CCA) to learn more about the art programs it offers. Drake says it’s been great to be able to “scope out” different art programs during college visits and presentations since that relates to his desired major.

On Oct. 10, Eckerd College, a small, private liberal arts college in St. Petersburg, Florida, visited SBHS. Representative Lando Pieroni came from Eckerd to show students the uniqueness the school offered in a “tropical paradise.” Pieroni says his advice to juniors and seniors looking at colleges is to look at all different types of schools. “Big, well-known schools, as well as smaller ones, figure out what you want for every aspect of the college experience, stay curious.”

Pieroni also says that the number one thing students can do to make a lasting positive impression on college representatives and admissions officers is to be genuine. A student shouldn’t shy away from what they’re truly passionate about, even if it’s not academic. Pieroni says the more diversity of interests on a campus, the stronger the community becomes, and there’s no expected answer, so say something that feels natural and authentic.

Coming up at the College and Career Center, there are seven college visits in November. These include University of San Francisco, University of Melbourne, Binghamton University, University of the Pacific, Saint Mary’s College of California, The New School, and Pacific Northwest College of Art at Willamette University. 

To see when visits are happening students should look at the easel chalkboard outside the College and Career Center that displays upcoming visits and events. Staff at the center encourage any and all students to attend college visits, and always to stay open about different colleges and experiences.