The Big SIR!

By Quetzal Mama • April 25, 2016

Decision Day

So you’ve gotten into some pretty decent schools? Now that you shared admission notices on your Instagram and Snapchat, the time has come to finally submit that SIR – the Statement of Intent to Register. Before making this important decision, consider these tips:

It’s all about the Benjamins, baby! Seriously – cash is king. The name of the game is earning a 4-year degree in the shortest amount of time with the least amount of debt (no loans if possible). All things being equal, go with the campus offering the strongest financial aid package. Also, make sure you’re comparing “apples to apples.” Look closely at the different types of aid offered such as work study, grants, merit scholarships, etc.

Success Metrics! We’re talking about graduation rates in 4 years, not 6 or 8 years. And, let’s be real. Look at graduation rates for students of color, first generation, and/or low-income students. Also, consider graduation rates for students in your major.

Metrics for Grad School – Don’t overlook metrics for graduate school. Why? Because if you’re headed to Medical School, Law School, an MBA program, etc., you need to know the percentage of students graduating from that campus who receive admission to specific graduate programs. Don’t just look at the graduation rates for the campus overall, examine carefully for students in your major who were subsequently admitted to competitive graduate programs. Although a student’s success can be attributed to their personal strengths, it’s a good idea to know the overall percentage because it can be telling.

Institutional Perks – Find out which types of programs exist for your particular situation. For example, do they offer a Summer Bridge Program? What about a program for first generation college students? Stack the deck in your favor! Make sure you are at a campus that offers you the greatest odds to succeed.

Leverage for Graduate School – I know it sounds early to be thinking about this, but the time will fly. If graduate school is a likely option, consider which campus would be more advantageous in terms of on-campus research opportunities, student internships, extracurricular activities, or community programs.

Campus Climate – Students should do some research about campus climate as it relates to students of color. Some campuses are awesome spaces of inclusion, whereas others are notoriously toxic for persons of color. It can make a difference, so it’s best to find out ahead of time.

Always, visit the school before making your decision. It is easy to look at images online, enjoy campus-produced videos, or peruse brochures. However, there is nothing like actually being at the campus and feeling the “vibe.” I have many students who have told me they were 100% ready to sign their SIR until they visited the campus. Some said, “There is no way. I just didn’t get a good vibe.” Others said, “I couldn’t see myself there. I didn’t feel it would be a good match for me.”

Faculty & Curriculum – Consider who will be teaching and what you will be learning. Are the professors and research programs tailored to your current and future interests? For example, when I selected UC San Diego, I reviewed the biographies of all of the professors that would be teaching in my program. At least 3 professors had significant research concerning low-income students and pathways to college - so this was a big deal. And, the program had a Social Justice emphasis – which was in line with my philosophy. If all things are equal, then you will want to be in a program that is the most meaningful to you and most relevant to your academic and career interests.

Job prospects. In terms of the discipline you are pursuing, which campus gives you greater access (and more diversity) to local employers? This is a big deal when you’re looking for a part-time job, or need a local internship. Does the campus have local agreements with local employers? Are there industry partnerships that host events for students? Do they recruit right out of their campus?

Social Life. You are soon leaving your home, friends, and comfort zone and venturing out into a new territory. Sometimes there will be a significant “culture shock” and other times it is merely the distance that seems shocking. However, keep in mind that whether you are 50 miles, or 500 miles away from family and friends, you’ll have very limited time for visiting friends and family. Therefore, the social life aspect shouldn’t be a priority when considering which campus to select. Unless you feel the change would create an undue hardship and cause psychological harm, then it is best to focus on other considerations to sway your decision.

Ultimately, you are the only person who will be sitting in the university hall, doing the work, and earning the grades. Take advice and gather opinions so that you can make the best decision for YOU! Good luck!

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—Quetzal Mama