National College Application Month Success: From Virtual to Higher Education

November marks the beginning of National College Application Month, a pivotal time for high school seniors as they apply to their dream colleges and universities. While the stakes may feel high, knowing what lies ahead can help ease the stress for students. As educators, we know you strive to help prepare your students for all they may encounter in college, especially the increasingly common virtual courses offered. It’s crucial to understand the value of a virtual education as it is an integral part of higher education. 

Formally also known as distance learning, virtual education can be asynchronous or synchronous online courses that students take for college credit. Virtual classes are not uncommon in college, as it is usual to find that certain courses are only available online or that virtual classes may be the best fit for a busy schedule. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in fall 2021, 9.4 million undergraduate students were enrolled in at least one distance education course. As students become exposed to virtual education from a younger age, they enter college and their careers with the experience and skills needed to be successful. 

However, before one even makes it to college, it’s helpful to understand just how to navigate the college application process and be sure of the future that awaits. 

What are the best college application tips?

The best college application tips range from starting the process early to exploring financial aid opportunities. These are five tips to follow to submit the best applications:

1. Start early

If there is one thing students shouldn’t procrastinate on, it’s their future. College applications require different pieces of information, such as SAT/ACT scores, transcripts, essays, and more, that take time to gather. Ensure your students hash out these logistics with time to streamline their application process. The following timeline pinpoints more or less when students should be meeting these requirements:

• Summer after junior year: Start drafting essays
• August & September: Ask teachers for letters of recommendation and request transcripts.
• October: Retake the ACT/SAT, collect letters of recommendation, and finalize essays.
• November: Start college applications, send ACT/SAT scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, essays, and submit!

2. Do your research

Students should aim to narrow down their top schools by researching deciding factors like the location of the college, programs they’re interested in, and the deadlines for applications. Guide students to pursue their own individual happiness rather than where the rest of their peers are going.

3. Optimize your writing

Each college application will ask for some kind of personal statement or why this school/major question. Students shouldn’t write new pieces every time, but tailor their core essay to answer each application’s prompt. By investing time in writing one essay that truly reflects them and strategically editing it to fit specific applications, students will be able to effectively apply to their desired colleges.

4. Let your personality shine through

As college applications are considered holistically, it is best practice for students to express themselves in every way they can. Whether it be through the extracurriculars they were a part of or writing about something they are passionate about for their essay, the quality of their applications will always trump quantity. 

5. Explore financial aid opportunities

If your students are seeking financial aid for college and have not already submitted a FAFSA application, encourage them to do so. FAFSA applications require parents’ tax returns from prior years, social security numbers, and studentaid.gov accounts for students and parents, so it’s best to complete that as soon as possible. Additionally, students seeking scholarships should research local awards they can apply to and for financial aid scholarships that individual colleges may be offering. 

The college application process is one step students take in securing their future, but as educators, you can ensure their success in college by equipping them with the skills they will regularly need. 

How does exposure to a virtual teacher in grade school prepare you for virtual classes in college?

Receiving instruction from a synchronous virtual teacher throughout K-12 boosts students' digital literacy skills and enhances their work ethic, preparing them to excel in future online college courses. While virtual instruction in K-12 classrooms can vary, Proximity Learning offers synchronous instruction where students learn from certified teachers in real time. An in-class facilitator and a virtual Proximity teacher deliver the high standards and structure expected of a traditional classroom.

In a Proximity classroom, the teacher is livestreamed onto the screen at the front of the room, and students utilize laptops to connect with their teacher and complete assignments. These responsibilities allow students to familiarize themselves with the online environment with the support of their teacher as they expand their digital skills. Proximity Learning teacher Dani Chervenkova describes her experience witnessing the growth of her students, “They learn [online platforms] so quickly, and then to see them work independently on these platforms is just amazing.”

Beyond technology, students are guided to develop a work ethic that holds them accountable for their own learning. There is no hand-holding in college, which is why virtual classes in grade school are the perfect opportunity to allow students to gain some independence over their education. Proximity’s online live teaching model equips students with crucial skills that are often overlooked.

What skills do students gain from virtual learning?

Students develop a variety of skills from virtual learning, such as effective communication, time management, self-motivation, and more. Not only will these skills be applicable in the college setting, but also for students’ future careers as they enter the workforce. 

Virtual learning teaches students:

• Communication
• Time management
• Technical skills
• Discipline
• Adaptability 

Proximity Learning prepares students for college

At Proximity Learning, we are anti-async, meaning we do not encourage classes where students are left to teach themselves. Our synchronous instruction offers students real-time teaching with immediate support meant to guide students to become the best they can be. By exposing students to this high-quality virtual education now, you can rest assured that you are sending your graduating seniors with the skillset needed to shine in college.

Together, we can empower your students for college success. Contact Proximity Learning today and leverage synchronous virtual learning for superior student engagement in every classroom.