In 2023, NACAC acquired the work of volunteer organization, the Character Collaborative, which sought to have admission practices consider character attributes in the evaluation of candidates.

As part of this acquisition, NACAC is pleased to continue the work of Character Collaborative and offer this series of courses on the importance of considering character in the college admission process. This topic is important now more than ever as we strive to make post-secondary education accessible to all and create admission practices that build diverse student bodies.

These videos were recorded in 2021 yet are still relevant and feature some of the top voices in the field, including the late co-founder of the Character Collaborative, David Holmes.

Course Descriptions

The Character Focus Initiative offers three eLearning courses that focus on assessing character in the admission process. The courses can be purchased individually or as a three-course bundle.

This course will explore the why and how of using character in the admission process.

Course Goals:

  • You will learn the different ways in which character can be understood and the value character assessment can have in the admission decision-making process.
  • You will be able to select, incorporate, and adopt a range of tools with which character may be integrated into the admission process.
  • You will be able to create a rubric and construct a norming process for your team to use in the development of a character assessment process.
  • You will have tools with which you may be able to approach your campus leadership and off-campus constituents that will assist you in creating a transparent, collaborative, and data-supported character-infused admission decision-making process.
  • You will appreciate the breadth and importance of engaging in appropriate professional development exercises in preparation for character assessment activities for admission.

Who should take this course?

  • Secondary counselors who advise students on writing college application essays and/or those who write recommendation letters.
  • Post-secondary admission professionals who review college application essays and/or recommendation letters as part of the admission process.

What does this course offer?

  • Short, on-demand modules: Participants will login to the learning management system to complete the short, topic-based modules on their own schedule and at their own pace.
  • Professional certificate: Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a professional certificate from NACAC.
  • Continuing Education Credits: The certificate awarded will reflect 2.5 continuing education credits for the completion of this course.

This course focuses on the importance of incorporating and considering elements of character in the evaluation of application essays and in the advising of applicants.

Course Goals:

  • You will learn how psychometricians look at non-metric features of character evaluation and hear admission professionals describe some of the ways character figures into the evaluation of application essays.
  • You will view some of the means used by offices of admission to communicate relevant guidelines about how character figures into their admission process.
  • You will hear students share their thoughts about the college application essay.
  • You will have access to multiple examples of how counselors support and talk to students as they complete the essay portions of their applications.
  • You will be able to identify ways counselors and other advisors strive to incorporate elements of a student’s character into essays.

Who should take this course?

  • Secondary counselors who advise students on writing college application essays.
  • Post-secondary admission professionals who review college application essays.

What does this course offer?

  • Short, on-demand modules: Participants will login to the learning management system to complete the short, topic-based modules on their own schedule and at their own pace.
  • Professional certificate: Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a professional certificate from NACAC.
  • Continuing Education Credits: The certificate awarded will reflect 2.75 continuing education credits for the completion of this course.

This course presents strategies for writing letters of recommendation that address character. The course provides guidance to college admission officers in interpreting, assessing, and rating character factors presented in recommendations.

Course Goals:

  • You will learn strategies for writing letters of recommendation that address character.
  • You will be provided with guidance from experienced college admission officers in interpreting, assessing, and rating character factors presented in recommendations.

Who should take this course?

  • Secondary counselors who write recommendation letters.
  • Post-secondary admission professionals who review recommendation letters as part of the admission process.

What does this course offer?

  • Short, on-demand modules: Participants will login to the learning management system to complete the short, topic-based modules on their own schedule and at their own pace.
  • Professional certificate: Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a professional certificate from NACAC.
  • Continuing Education Credits: The certificate awarded will reflect 2 continuing education credits for the completion of this course.

Registration

Registration is open for these on-demand, self-paced courses. Participants are granted access to course materials for six months from the time of registration. To receive a professional certificate and continuing education credits, completed coursework must be submitted prior to expiration of course access. A digital badge will be awarded to those who complete all 3 courses.

A 20% discount is available for offices of four or more participants. If your office would qualify for this discount, contact customer service for a promo code prior to registration.

COURSE 1
Assessing Character in Admissions- An Introduction 		 COURSE 2
Application Essays: Evaluating and Advising with Character in Mind 		 COURSE 3
Writing and Evaluating Letters of Recommendation for Character 		  

Bundle of all 3 courses
CBO/Title I Public School Member $50 $50 $50 $125
Public School Secondary Counselor $75 $75 $75 $200
IEC/Private School Secondary $100 $100 $100 $275
Post Secondary $150 $150 $150 $425
Nonmember $250 $250 $250 $725
CE Credits 2.5 2.75 2 7.25

Please note: As of Aug. 1, 2023, all requests to switch cohorts, extend course access (by one month) or changes to course registrations will be subject to a $50 processing fee per person/per course. No refunds will be processed.

Please contact pd@nacacnet.org for questions about the course. For purchasing and billing questions, contact customerservice@nacacnet.org.

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5242. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. NACAC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.