So it’s nearly junior spring and you’re starting to realize that your college applications aren’t going to complete themselves. Or, you’re a sophomore and some of your older friends and peers are starting to get antsy to graduate. There’s one person who is often left out of the conversation until the 11th hour: your school college advisor.
Each high school has at least one college counselor or advisor. Sometimes there’s a whole office dedicated to the college process. This person or these people are important pieces within the puzzle that is your college application process. Why? Because they are responsible for 1) sending and making sure your schools receive your transcripts and any relevant documents, and 2) writing and sending one of your *required* letters of recommendation. So, they’re pretty crucial. That’s why you should introduce yourself to your college advisor, pronto.
We’ll just quickly run through some common arguments (cough cough *excuses* cough cough) that we often hear from students or their parents for why they could not say hello to their college advisor or do not want to:
“Isn’t it kind of...early?”
No. It’s literally never too early to say hello to and acknowledge someone who is going to play a crucial role in your college application process. Also, it’s never too early to acknowledge someone’s existence, particularly when they are (undoubtedly) often overlooked, on the receiving end of endless angry parent phone calls, and doing a thankless job. It’s really kind to have a positive rapport with everyone at your school, and particularly those who rarely are acknowledged for all of the work that they do.
“OK but what do I say? This feels awkward.”
No problem. We get that introducing yourself to a (near) stranger can feel awkward. That’s why we’ve put together an easy step-by-step guide to take you through this process, start to finish. Also, the more you ruminate about it, the bigger it becomes. And every interaction after the first will be easier because it’s just saying hello to an acquaintance.
“I don’t even know who my college advisor is.”
That mostly seems like a *you* problem. And more than that, a very fixable *you* problem. Ask around. Ask a teacher who the college advisor is. Ask an older friend. Someone knows. Look them up in your school’s faculty directory. Stop by the main office and ask someone. Anyone. It takes 2 minutes. You can do it.
“But I’m one of literally (insert large number here) students so what’s the point?”
That’s even MORE reason to introduce yourself. If you’re convincing yourself that it’s a waste of time, then odds are 99% of your peers are as well, and they haven’t read this blog post. So we are here to say: NO EXCUSE IS A GOOD ONE. And, PEOPLE REMEMBER KINDNESS AND PROMPT INTRODUCTIONS. We’ve worked with a lot of high school students and we can say with confidence that very few of them approach their college advisors on their own. People respond well to early and timely introductions. Even if your school is big, your advisor will appreciate you popping by to say hello. They will remember. Have confidence in the human spirit here. Just do it.
And while we’re on this topic, we want to make it clear that one introduction does not make a relationship. This intro is step 1. Steps 2-infinity are when you say an enthusiastic, “Hello!” to your advisor when you see them in the hallways; when you bring them some tea randomly just to say, “Thanks,” and the list goes on. This is about relationship-building. Think about how many recommendations this person has to write. You’re making it easier for them by being a known positive quantity in their lives, which they can then speak to in your recommendation. Once you get over the initial introduction, this is a win-win. Truly.
If you need help rehearsing your introduction, please email or call us for some help.