As due dates for college applications draw closer, many seniors have been searching for the school that will best fit their future. To address this need, college representatives have been visiting high schools to help ease the tension and answer any questions students may have. The representatives provide a valuable resource for students who are undecided about their prospective colleges and offer insight into why their college may best suit a student.

   College representatives visit West Ranch every Tuesday and Thursday in the fall to share information about their schools. Representatives from Seattle University, University of Southern California, Vanderbilt University and Southern Utah University were available outside the counselor’s office on Oct. 9, answering the many questions students had regarding the acceptance process and the college itself. Students have expressed that this experience has helped them plan their future. West Ranch Senior Elijah Kopp shared, “having people from different colleges come and tell us about themselves really helped me expand the number of schools I was planning on applying for.” 

   West Ranch Students often become narrowly focused on maintaining their grades and extracurriculars that they lack the time to research their options and consider which colleges are best for their needs and goals. Senior Richard shared, “a lot of the colleges you hear about from your friends and parents, you don’t usually do research about them or get to hear what the colleges themselves have to offer directly. I think having representatives come to our school helps us get direct and detailed information rather than just popular belief.” 

   Seniors are not the only ones who have benefited from college representatives visiting our campus. “Seeing representatives from colleges I want to go to, and being able to talk to them about what these colleges want in a student, and seeing a lot of what I have done and am doing line up, makes it feel that all the work I put in was worth it” junior Aahan Gurav shared. “In junior year, that motivation to keep on working is helpful.” The presence of representatives has also impacted the lower grades.

   From benefiting those applying for colleges to Wildcats still years away from entering the college application stage, college representatives play a quiet, yet nonetheless important role in helping and encouraging students prepare for the future.