The trusty Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a mentor as a “trusted counselor or guide,” and having mentors in our lives is not a new concept. Some of us are lucky enough to have people in our lives, who we may or may not formally call mentors, that help guide, motivate, and pave the way forward for us. We may turn to them for big and small decisions, and the college application process has many moments along the way where mentor support can be a huge help!
This is exactly why we’ve invested so much in building an incredibly talented and diverse community of nearly 100 mentors at CollegeAdvisor.com.
With so many pivotal moments along the college application process, what should students look for when it comes to finding a great mentor?
Before we jump in, let us start by saying that all of our mentors are wonderful and impressive individuals. Each mentor is a recent graduate from a top U.S. university, knowledgeable about the college application process and passionate about supporting high school seniors through an often daunting journey.
All CollegeAdvisor.com Admissions Experts passed a screening process with hours of training, and many have first-hand experience in unique aspects of applying to college:
- Financial aid, FAFSA, and need-based scholarships
- Merit-based scholarships
- Athletic recruitment
- Prep for alumni interviews
CollegeAdvisor.com is here to help level the playing field when it comes to connecting with and having access to a community of mentors to help you – and high school students everywhere – achieve their college dreams. And depending on what you’re looking for, one mentor may be a better fit for you than another.
Here are a few key factors to consider when searching for and selecting a mentor:
- Shared interests and common background – Is there a mentor that has similar hobbies, extracurricular activities, or passions? Maybe they’re from the same region as you, and you’d like to stay or connect with someone local? Or conversely, maybe you envision going further from home and would like to have a mentor that made a similar leap?
- An undergraduate major that you can relate to – Already think you know what you’d like to study? We have mentors with an impressive variety of undergraduate degrees to choose from and learn from their specific experiences.
- An alma mater or college that you’re eager to learn more about– Did this mentor go to a school that has piqued your interest? Maybe you’re interested in the same or a similar university, and would like to find recommendations or hear about the range of schools that mentor applied to?
- A job that inspires you – Ah, the eternal question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Do you have specific career or industry in mind? If so, you may want to connect with someone who is in a job that you find interesting. (And if not, that’s okay too! No one is expecting you to have it all figured out.)
These are just a few ideas when it comes to finding a great mentor. There are no “wrong” choices here, as it’s all about what feels most authentic and comfortable for you, especially through what can be an already overwhelming college application process.
We have nearly 100 amazing mentors this year with CollegeAdvisor.com, who graduated from over 30 top universities. They all are eager and ready to help guide, motivate and support you as you begin the college application process.
Go ahead, find a mentor who’s a great fit for you, and let’s get started!
And be sure to keep up with features of our mentors on our Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter accounts!
