Hormel Inspired Pathways

Over the course of two days, the Jennie-O plant in Barron Wisconsin hosted 8 sessions with the Hormel Inspired Pathways program team. The goal of the virtual visits was to help employees utilize the Inspired Pathways Scholarship and Advising Program, and better understand the ins and outs of college financial aid. 

Hosting the presentations immediately before and after shifts, the Barron team was able to connect nearly 100 team members with the Inspired Pathways program.

In addition to hot topics that included community college scholarship details and FAFSA workings, the team covered Wisconsin-specific financial aid questions, the difference between sticker price and final costs, and the many ways families can utilize the Pathways program to help their student get into and afford 4-year colleges. 

If you would like to arrange a virtual visits for your facility, reach out to advising@hormelinspiredpathways.com or call/text 507-481-0142. 

With students able to easily apply to 15-20 schools at a time, demonstrated interest has become a key tool for colleges to gauge applicant engagement.

Effective ways to demonstrate interest:

• Attend virtual events or in-person tours.
• Attend information sessions–either remotely or in–person, especially those tied to specific majors.
• Email admissions reps with thoughtful questions about your fit and interests.

At public universities, these touchpoints help admissions officers differentiate among similarly qualified students and can essentially serve as a tie-breaker. At private colleges, interest can have a much bigger impact, direct impact on being admitted. For private schools it is critical to admit the exact number of students they need, and students who make their interest clear help that process.

Bottom line: It never hurts to reach out and to demonstrate your interest in a college. To have the most positive impact, make sure you’re doing so in a way that allows your potential future college to track it. Events you have to register for are best, and even things like opening their emails can help. 

In 2020 with the onset of the pandemic and the many challenges that came with it, the majority of colleges instituted Test Optional and Test Blind admissions policies. These policies significantly reduced the role of standardized testing in the admissions process. 

However, colleges quickly realized that with only grades and essays to look at, differentiating between tens of thousands of students was much more difficult. After 5 years of these policies, and many attempts to find alternative evaluation methods, many colleges have concluded that they need standardized tests to evaluate large applicant pools consistently. 

The following colleges report they are reinstituting testing requirements this fall:

Harvard, Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, MIT, CAlTech, Georgetown, University of Texas, all Florida public colleges, Georgia Tech, and Purdue.

In the coming years, this list is expected to keep growing so it’s important to start making a study plan early. At Hormel Inspired Pathways, we recommend that you use at SAT Prep program like Khan Academy’s. It was created in collaboration with College Board (owners of the SAT), is completely FREE, and the program’s algorithm tailors it to your needs as you use it–it is a really great tool. 

Supplemental Essays: What’s New

Beyond the Common App essay, also known as the Personal Statement, many colleges utilize  “supplemental essays” designed to help students demonstrate their abilities in and outside of the classroom. Highly selective colleges use supplemental essays the most. And the more selective the college, the more weight these essays carry.  

Some of the most common supplemental essays over recent years, and what they are designed to help colleges understand:

• Describe a community you are a part of and your role within it.
  • To understand the sort of campus community member you will be. 
• Why do you want to study your chosen major, what are your short and long term goals?
  • To understand what really motivates you. Is it passion, prestige, or pay? (hint: you probably want to demonstrate passion)
• Tell us why you are applying to our college, what makes it a good fit for you?
  • To understand how thoroughly you’ve researched the college and how comprehensively you’ll take advantage of its resources. 
• How has your background shaped you?
  • To understand the context of your achievements. (A student who babysits their siblings 20 hours a week won’t be expected to have a long extracurricular resume.)
• Tell us about an extracurricular activity that is meaningful to you, and why.
  • To understand what you enjoy, colleges want diversity in all kinds, including diversity of interests.

Looking ahead to the 2025–26 season, some schools have indicated that they will be getting creative with prompts like “design your own course,” or explain “what’s commonly misunderstood about you.”

These prompts are designed to help colleges understand:

1. Your ability to think creatively, abstractly, and intellectually
2. Who you are as an individual, and what you value about yourself

Tips for success:

• DO YOUR RESEARCH and tailor each answer to the school. Generic supplemental essays are looked upon more negatively.
• Tell unique stories—avoid reiterating ideas you already covered within your Common App essay.
• Set up a meeting with a Hormel Inspired Pathways advisor to discuss essay ideas. The earlier, the better (but its never too late). 

The availability of AI tools like ChatGPT has sparked a mix of excitement and caution when it comes to college applications. Even those who are concerned broadly agree that AI can be helpful— for brainstorming, outlining, and proofreading — but while simultaneously cautioning that it should never replace authentic student writing.

Some universities now require students to disclose AI use during the admissions process. For instance, Caltech asks applicants to specify how AI was used in their supplemental essays, while Cornell restricts AI to grammar checks only. Other colleges, like Brown, have outright bans on AI-generated content in applications. 

Even though colleges may ask, it’s not all based on the honor system. Colleges can use programs like Turnitin, Ai detector, GPTZero, and others to determine if you’ve used Ai at all with your essay. If they suspect it has been used outside of their rules, they will deny your application. So make sure to understand each college’s applications rules before submitting–or you may be denying your own application. 

Even if the AI software doesn’t flag your application, human admissions staff are noticing that AI-assisted essays may feel “sterile,” making applicants seem less genuine and leading to higher denial rates. 

Best Practices for using AI in college admissions:

• Only use AI alongside personal reflection, not instead of it.
• Stick to allowed uses: grammar tweaks, outlining, idea generation.
• Verify institutional rules: if disclosure is required, be transparent.
• Always revise heavily so the final essay authentically sounds like you.

Final though: AI is a great tool—but your ideas, voice, and story must show through!

It’s important to recognize that you should build a college list BOTH when graduating from HS and when transferring from community college to a four-year college. Below is a guide to building a college list that suits your goals and aspirations.

1. Assess Academic Fit

Before anything else, prioritize academics. Determine whether the prospective colleges offer the major you’re interested in. It’s equally important to categorize potential schools based on admission likelihood into Reach, Target and Safety categories.

• Reach Schools (<25% chance of admission): These challenging schools include your dream institutions or those known for their stellar financial aid. While they’re ambitious, it’s wise to apply to two-three to see if you get lucky.
• Target Schools (40-60% chance of admission): These institutions align well with your academic credentials and are the best fit for your goals. Applying to four-six target schools gives you a balanced chance of acceptance without overextending.
• Safety Schools (>75% chance of admission): These are schools where you are very likely to be admitted. Choose at least three that you would be happy to attend, as they often also present scholarship opportunities.

2. Explore Different College Types

Understanding the variety of college experiences available can help narrow your list to those that match your preferences and needs.

• Community Colleges: A guaranteed safety school, community colleges are an excellent cost-effective option that can also provide a pathway to further education. You can use these to start your college career or earn your entire degree, depending on your goals. 
• Liberal Arts Colleges: Known for their small class sizes and close-knit communities, these colleges focus on a broad-based education. They excel in readying students for advanced studies (like master’s, law, and doctorate degrees) and fostering one-on-one faculty relationships.
• Research Universities: These colleges have lots of options in terms of majors and research opportunities. While they offer vast resources, the environment may be more impersonal due to the larger student population, and for some it can be difficult to build connections with professors due to the large class sizes and competition. 
• Public vs. Private: Consider whether a public or private institution aligns better with your financial situation and academic needs. Public colleges often present lower initial price tag rates for in-state students, while private colleges might offer more in terms of personalized attention and financial aid packages and scholarships. They also can differ greatly in terms of culture, which we’ll discuss in bullet 4.

3. Evaluate Financial Fit

Financial considerations are pivotal in the college selection process. Calculate the potential costs of attendance against your budget and available financial aid. Use the Net Price Calculator to determine how much a college will cost. EVERY college is required to have one. The easiest way to find them is to Google the name of the college and the words Net Price Calculator.

*If you expect to receive financial aid from a school, you should be sure to look at the Full-Need Met colleges, this is a list of about 100 colleges with the best financial aid programs in the country. If you have questions about how to find them, ask an Inspired Pathways advisor.*

4. Consider Geographical and Cultural Fit

Think about where you’d like to study. Proximity to home, climate, cultural environment and campus diversity should all play roles in your decision-making. Attending a college in a region where you feel comfortable can greatly enhance your educational experience. This can also be one of the biggest differences between private and public. Public colleges are often representative of the places where they are located, whereas private colleges have a large variety of niche cultures that can differ greatly from one to the next.

5. Visit and Engage

Whenever possible, visit campuses to get a feel for the environment. Attend virtual tours or reach out to current students or alumni to gain insight into the school’s culture and community. With schools like those on the Full-Need Met list, visiting can sometimes even help you get admitted, because it shows that you’re interested in the college

6. Set Up a List Assessment Meeting!

Once you’ve created your list, set up a meeting with an Inspired Pathways advisor. They will review it to make sure that the colleges fit your academic goals, and will help you find additional colleges that may also be a fit. Additionally, they can help you identify private colleges with robust financial aid programs that may end up being much less expensive than local public colleges.

Conclusion

Building a college list is a strategic process that encompasses academic, financial and personal preferences. By exploring a diverse range of options and aligning them with your overall goals, you’ll set the foundation for a promising college experience. 

Members of the Inspired Pathways team recently visited the PLANTERS^® Fort Smith, Ark. location to connect with team members about the exciting college education benefits available through the Inspired Pathways program. 

Over the course of two days, Inspired Pathways advisors engaged with PLANTERS^® team members, providing valuable insights and answering questions on topics like program eligibility, financial aid and the college application process

“Getting additional touch points with team members is so important to ensure that everyone who wants access to the program knows about the opportunities and understands how to take full advantage,” remarked Inspired Pathways Program Director Nate Lockett after the visit. “We were able to speak with dozens of employees interested in the free community college component of the program for their children. And we connected with many others interested in learning more about our advising program and how it can support their child throughout the college application process.”

If you have a child interested in either community college or four-year college, have them submit an application, or reach out to the advisors to learn more about what the college journey could look like for your family.

1. Understand the Purpose

Know what colleges seek in LORs, including:

• Academic performance and intellectual curiosity
• Leadership and extracurricular involvement
• Personal qualities like resilience and creativity

2. Consider Your Relationships

Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak positively about your growth. Ideal choices include:

• Teachers: Particularly those in core subjects where you excel and have a good rapport. These are the most important. Choosing two in subjects related to your major is a must for many of the most selective colleges. 
• Counselors: They can provide a comprehensive view of your academic journey. Almost all schools require counselors to provide a recommendation.
• Extracurricular Advisors and Employers or Mentors: Supervisors can vouch for your work ethic and readiness for college. Not all colleges will accept these, but if you have a strong relationship with one, it can’t hurt.

4. Ask Early

Reach out to potential recommenders during the spring of your Junior year. This allows them time to prepare thoughtful letters—and will make sure your teachers haven’t reached their limit. When you ask, explain why you chose them and share your college goals.

5. Provide Helpful Information

Supply recommenders with materials to help them write effective letters. This may include:

• Your resume or a list of achievements
• Specific experiences or projects to highlight
• Information about the colleges you’re applying to

This guidance makes it easier for them to personalize their recommendations.

6. Follow Up and Express Gratitude!

Keep recommenders updated on your application status and thank them after your process ends. This gesture is courteous and helps maintain relationships for the future.

For decades colleges and universities have relied heavily on two tests to help them make their admissions decisions. For just as long, educators have argued that these tests don’t accurately reflect a student’s ability to be successful in college. Placing so much weight on a single standardized test has led students to ignore the activities that ARE indicators of future success like enrolling in challenging classes, having a job or engaging in experiential learning opportunities so that they can spend a significant amount of time preparing for a test.

Due to the pandemic, in 2020 colleges were forced to remove their testing requirements. This prompted the testing companies to implement some long-desired changes. The essays, arbitrary vocabulary sections and point deductions for incorrect answers have been removed in favor of more reading and evidenced based questions, and options for taking the test remotely.

Now four years out from the pandemic, 80% of colleges still don’t require the SAT or ACT. However, a large number of colleges and universities have become what is known as “Test Optional” schools. This means you can submit a test score if you would like to. A good score can make it more likely that you will be eligible for scholarships and other awards.

Furthermore, a small number of the colleges with the nation’s very best financial aid programs are starting to require testing again. This list of colleges includes most of the Ivy League schools and many other top universities.

What does this mean for current high school students who are planning on college? First, it’s a good idea to at least try the SAT or ACT, because a good score can significantly improve the likelihood of getting into top colleges and receiving strong financial aid packages.

Because colleges are reviewing students more holistically than they were five years ago, it is important to push yourself in multiple areas. In addition to good grades and test scores, colleges really want to find students who are:

• Taking the most challenging classes at their high schools, especially the APs (Advanced Placement).
• Engaging in some sort of meaningful work outside of the classroom. That can be clubs, volunteering, internships, sports or jobs.
• Making a positive impact on a community they are a part of, including but not limited to their town, school or even their own household.

While standardized testing will likely never go away totally, it is no longer recommended to spend hundreds of hours or thousands of dollars on test prep. Your time would be much better used working to improve your grades and finding an area outside of school that you’re passionate about and can become more involved in.

For those looking to get ready for the SAT or ACT, we recommend using Khan Academy’s test prep program. It was created in collaboration with the organization that oversees the SAT, it is absolutely free, and most importantly, after taking their diagnostic exam, it tailors its questions to the specific needs of the student studying.

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your visits:

Attend an information session and campus tour

Most colleges offer information sessions and campus tours for prospective students. These are great opportunities to learn more about the school and get a feel for the campus. Make sure to be engaged and ask questions during the presentation, which are often given by the very people who will be reading your application.

Meet with an admissions officer

Try to arrange a meeting with one of the college’s admissions representatives. By meeting with an admissions rep, you’ll be able to ask specific questions and at the same time demonstrate your interest in the college. Demonstrated interest is a factor that approximately 50% of four-year colleges consider when assessing applications. The smaller the college, the more likely they are to consider demonstrated interest.

Sit in on a class

If possible, try to attend a class in your area of interest. This will give you a better sense of what the academic experience is like at the school and whether the teaching style and classroom environment are a good fit for you. Also ask about the facilities related to your intended major—you want to know what resources and hands-on learning opportunities are available.

Explore the surrounding area

Take some time to get a feel for the area around campus, to better understand what it’s like to live there. This can include checking out nearby restaurants, shops and cultural attractions, as well as looking at housing options. Remember, this is the place that you’ll call home for the next few years!

Overall, the key is to be curious and attentive during your visit. Visiting is the best way to figure out if a school is the right fit for you and may even help you get accepted.