Nick Marter, Assistant Vice President of Admissions at Vaughn College, was honored to be featured on episode 242 of The College Admissions Process Podcast hosted by John Durante. In an engaging conversation, the admissions process at Vaughn was discussed and how the College helps prepare students for a successful future. Are you bound for Vaughn? Get ready for this deep dive into how you can prepare for an exciting future in today’s in-demand fields of aviation, management, engineering and technology.

Today’s in-demand fields

As Vaughn is considered one of the nation’s premier aviation institutions, Marter kicked off the conversation by discussing the College’s flagship aviation programs. “There is a tremendous demand for pilots, air traffic controllers and aviation maintenance technicians,” he said. “For students seeking careers in the aviation industry, Vaughn offers an array of degrees and certificate programs that will prepare them for a successful future.” Better still, Marter mentioned how Vaughn’s proximity to New York’s LaGuardia Airport provides even more opportunities to students. He went on to comment on the generous compensation that aviation professionals receive. The average median salary in New York for air traffic controllers is $148 thousand dollars per year.

Did you know that Vaughn is one of 31 colleges in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI). This partnership means that Vaughn students can qualify for air traffic control positions more quickly.

Why students—and parents—choose Vaughn

In addition to Vaughn’s stellar reputation and numerous national rankings, Marter outlined some of the College’s key strengths that make it a top pick for those seeking degrees in aviation, management, engineering and technology.

• Hands-on experience—Students will be “hands-on” in their field of study from day one, using numerous cutting-edge laboratories, a state-of-the-art flight simulator complex, high-tech equipment and more!
• Small campus—With only 1,200 enrolled students, campus life is a co-curricular fusion of academics and student life.
• Career placement—Vaughn provides exposure to some of the largest industries and employers, many of which are located right in New York City.
• Internships/Opportunities—Through its gateway partner programs, Vaughn’s connections with Jet Blue, Atlas Air and even NASA offers students amazing internship and career opportunities.
• Residence hall—Vaughn offers a 200-bed residence hall for those who want the “living on-campus” experience.
• Clubs and organizations—Vaughn offers a variety of professional and social clubs and activities where students connect, hone their craft and compete in national competitions.

Qualities that make a great Vaughn student

Marter pointed out that even with the College’s diverse student body, he still sees similarities among the students who apply to Vaughn. “Most of our applicants are disciplined and focused,” he explained. “We offer programs in a suite of majors that help students get to where they want to be. Students can also start in a field of study by enrolling in an associate degree program. This is a great way to encourage students to pursue their dreams without turning them away. We are proud to say that we have a high acceptance rate and love to say ’yes’ to our applicants.”

What admissions representatives look for in an application

As someone who has reviewed numerous college applications, Marter said these are the most important factors they look for in applicants:

• Prerequisites—Students need to take the necessary prerequisite courses while in high school. For example, for a STEM-focused field of study—such as engineering—students must take high school courses in pre-calculus and physics before applying to the College.
• Grade point average—The admissions department looks for a grade point average of a B or higher. A couple of blips on a transcript, however, does not mean the student is disqualified from consideration.
• Standardized test scores—Although Vaughn is a “test optional” College, the admissions office does check SAT and ACT test scores for placement purposes.
• Quality of the application—The application should be in good order and include all required documentation, including college essay, high school transcript and standardized test scores.

Financial aid and scholarship opportunities

Vaughn students have several opportunities to help pay for college. In fact, over 90 percent of students receive financial aid. “We make it work for our students,” said Marter. “At Vaughn, we make sure your dreams are achievable without money standing in the way.” He explained how students not only have opportunities to qualify for a PELL grant by applying for aid via the FAFSA, but other opportunity programs, such as New York State TAP and the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) programs for the socio-economically and academically disadvantaged students, as well as grant funding through institutional scholarships. As an example, Marter explained how students who are enrolled in Vaughn’s computer engineering program—and qualify for a merit-based institutional scholarship—will receive an additional $10,000 through a federal grant.

How Vaughn supports the freshmen transition

Going off to college can be a fun—and challenging—transition for freshmen, both academically and socially. Here are ways in which Vaughn supports freshmen:

• First Year Experience (FYE) course—Vaughn requires all freshmen to take the FYE course. “A big part of our student body are first-generation students,” Marter said. “The FYE course helps them not only navigate everything available—and unfamiliar—to them but gives them the tools they need to be successful.”
• One-on-one advisement—Students have access to one-on-one advisement to help them build their schedules to get off on the right foot.

Marter’s tips for success

As Durante wrapped up the conversation, he asked Marter for his best tips for receiving a ’yes’ on a college admissions application. Marter advised:

• Choose a college that feels right—Don’t base your decision on where a college is ranked. Visit the campus, ask questions and do your homework. Not every college is the right fit for everyone.
• Brag on your college essay—Use your voice in the essay. Be direct and highlight your achievements. Now is not the time to be humble. College admissions wants to know how great you are!

If a high-paying, in-demand career is on your radar, now is the time to pursue a degree at Vaughn College. Apply today!