Benilde-St. Margaret’s is known for being a college preparatory school. BSM has many colleges that come to visit throughout the school year. These college visits give students an opportunity to get to know the school and ask any questions they have. Overall, they give students a chance to make a connection with a representative of a school they might be interested in.
When the colleges come to BSM they share information about their school. They talk through their size, location, different majors, student body, and whether or not that school would be a good fit for students. The colleges also provide time for students to ask them any questions or share any concerns they may have. The schools discuss financial aid, scholarships, and tuition that is specific to their university. “A good part of what they talk about is just a general overview about their school and then the paying for their school,” Guidance and College Counselor Heidi Wessman said.
Students benefit a ton from BSM inviting these colleges to come visit. Students also get to make a connection with the representatives of the college who are most likely to be the ones who will be reading their application. “It is a benefit to the students because the representative can then put a face to the application that they’re getting at some point in the fall,” Wessman said.
Students have been enjoying the college visits at BSM this fall. Many students think there’s a difference between researching about a college online then talking to a representative from the college. They think this benefit of getting to know the college can help them write their admission essays. It gives them a more personal connection and can help them relate to the college representative, which could give them a better chance of getting in. “I was really excited that Tulane University came to visit BSM because that’s one of the colleges I’m applying to, and I didn’t have a chance to visit it in person. So the fact that an admissions representative came to BSM to talk about it was really beneficial,” senior Elizabeth Long said.