True Colors for College Choice:
Counseling to Students’ Preferred
College Style
Jane Webber, New Jersey City University
jwebber@njcu.edu
B-Gr-Go-O INFP
J.Barry Mascari, Kean University, NJ
jmascari@kean.edu O-B/G----Go ENFP
www.kean.edu/~reinvent
Vincent Varrassi, Fairleigh Dickinson University
vjvarrassi@gmail.com B—Go/Gr/O
Learn how identifying students’ styles
using True Colors and Myers Briggs Type Indicator
reveal and improve college choices and planning
Ditiberio, J.K., & Hammer, A.L. (1993). Introduction to type in college.
Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.
Kalil, C. (1999). Follow your true colors to the work you love. Malibu,
CA: DreamMaker Publishing.
Miscisn, M. (1991). Showing our true colors. Riverside, CA: True Colors
Tieger, P., & Barron, B. (2007). Do what you are: Discover the perfect
career for you through the secrets of personality type. 4th ed.. NY:
Little, Barron, and Company.
The College Going Experience
 Most students commute to college within 50 miles of home, but
going away to college is an American rite of passage– “the
college experience”
 Liberal arts vs. Career preparation is misunderstood
 2/3 change their major at least once; many change majors every
semester
 Most HS students choose a major and college without career
counseling self awareness exploration/assessment, or decision
making skills
 Undecided college applicants and undecided majors need
specialized decision making programs
Today’s Goals for Your Preferred Type
• Gold: Detailed information about how to use True
Colors and MBTI with students to improve college
choice, step by step directions, and organized handouts
• Orange: Fun hands-on activities for True Colors,
games, and new jokes to make your work exciting
• Green: Research about student’s color preferences,
theory about MBTI and True Colors, and ideas for you
to consider in the future
• Blue: Getting to know your colleagues, affirming your
true self, sharing experiences, and expanding ways to
connect with your students
TRUE COLORS
Sam chose a large highly-ranked public university
primarily for financial aid. She first loved the excitement
of campus life and football weekends although she felt
out of place at parties--like an observer. She preferred
reading novels to parties, or talking with one student in
a quiet setting. Large lecture classes with 600 students
overwhelmed her; she was uncomfortable asking
questions. Sam hated multiple choice tests and she
rarely had to write papers-- which she loved. Her
roommate stayed out late partying and Sam missed the
close knit support in her high school. Although she
made the dean’s list, she did not return the second
semester.
• Sam’s primary color is Blue
Sam’s type is an INFP
Needs time for self; the outside environment
can be overwhelming—needs small groups
Needs affirmation and support with strong
advising
• BEN, now in his first year at an art institute, had art
eight hours a day. He wished he had considered
other majors like theater or education, or a college
with more majors, but his parents were successful
artists. Most students commuted to the institute; his
dorm was a boarding house that emptied on
Thursday night. He missed the camaraderie of his
high school teams and the radio station where he
had been a DJ. His roommate practically “lived” in
the art studio, and Ben wished he had friends to
hang out with.
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•
Ben’s brightest colors are Orange/Blue
His type is ESFJ
Makes quick decisions to close out choices
Need for affiliation, friends, and campus
support
• Lack of career exploration
• Bored with early career foreclosure
• Cam applied to 18 “top” colleges, worrying more about
getting in to the best school than finding a good match. At
the accepted student open houses, most described how
wonderful their college was and how great it was to be in
the Class of 2009. He gained little understanding about
which college was the best fit for him. At one school, reps
facilitated discussions about how to make a good personal
decision about college and what qualities this college had
that matched his interests and style. He learned his type,
and he met students with similar colors. Cam reevaluated
the colleges based on their colors. He chose a roommate
from his brightest color group and reconsidered his early
choice of becoming a computer engineer by investigating
blue and orange majors.
• Cam’s brightest colors are Blue/Orange and
Green
• His type is ENFP
• Unable to narrow down choices
• Unfamiliar with his E, Blue and Orange
needs
• Needed specialized college counseling to
structure his search
Five-point plan to choosing the best
college fit
Choose the best college:
That you can get into
That you can afford financially
That you can succeed at academically
That you can be happy at socially
That fits your needs and goals
True Colors
• Brief personality style assessment
• Brightest to palest color
• Persons/environments with opposite color
push our buttons
• Helps us make decisions based on knowledge
of self
• Person-environment fit
• Palest color is our weakest style
Using True Colors or MBTI:
Helps to answer major questions
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What do I want to get from college?
How will I learn best at college?
How will I spend your free time at college?
How will I live at college or commute to college?
How (and where) will I study at college
When do I want to go to college?
Why do I want to go to college?
Where do I want to go to college?
True Colors – MBTI Connection
• Amiable
Blue
• Analytic
Green
• Driver
Gold
• Expressive
Orange
Compassionate NF
Interactive
Conceptual
NT
Independent
Conventional SJ
Structured
Courageous
SP
Active
Who is like me?
• Orange 35-40%:
• Gold
35-40%
• Green 12-15%
– M 70% F 30%
• Blue
12-15%
– M 30% F 70%
Famous Color Types
• Orange
– Michael Jordan
– Elvis Presley
– Ronal Reagan
– Marilyn Monroe
– Billy Graham
– JFK
– Lee Iacocca
– Winston Churchill
– George Patton
• Gold
– George H. Bush
– Walter Cronkite
– Connie Chung
– Johnnie Carson
• Green
– Hillary Clinton
– Rosalyn Carter
– Columbo
– Socrates
– Moses
– Carl Jung
• Blue
• Mother Theresa
• Julie Andrews
• Princess Diana
• Jimmy Carter
• Pope John
• Caesar
• Ronald Reagan
• Ghandi
CAREER PREFERENCES
• Orange
Sports
Entrepreneurs
Enterprising
• Gold
Nurse
Teacher
Principal, Supt.
CEOs, Managers
• Green
Lawyer
Computer Engineer
Scientist
Architect
• Blue
Counselor
Psychologist
Social Worker
Color Slogans
• Green
penny earned
– Think!
• Blue
– E=MC2
– To thine own self be
true
– A mind is a terrible
– Reach out and touch
thing to waste
someone
– Rome was not built in a
– Did you get a hug
day
today?
– I’ll think about it.
– Show your true colors
• Orange
– Go for it!
– The thrill of success, the
agony of defeat.
– Everybody loves a winner.
– Where’s the action?
• Gold
• \
Orange sees self as
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Fun-loving, enjoy life
Spontaneous
Flexible
Adaptable
Carefree
Proficient, Capable
Hands-on
Practical
Problem solver
Quick witted
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Confident
Good negotiator
Do many things at once
Eclectic
Can deal with chaos
Curious
Welcomes new ideas
Superior ability to discriminate
among options
• Sees shades of gray
• Great in crisis/emergency
Gold sees self as
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Stable
Providing security
Dependable,
Responsible
Firm
Always has a view
Efficient
Realist
Dignified, cultures
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Generous
Executive type
Strong work ethic
Orderly, neat
Good at sorting, weeding out
Organized
Punctual
Goal-oriented
Seeking closure
Green sees self as
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Superior intellect
98% right
Powerful
Creative
Visionary
Original
Eminently reasonable
Rational
Complex
Competent
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Abstract thinker
Calm, not emotional
Under control
Precise, not repetitive
Able to find flaws
Objectives
Seeking justice
Firm-minded
Able to reprimand
Intelligent
Blue sees self as
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Affirming
Great Communicator
Caretaker
Promoting growth, well
being
Relates current experiences
to past experiences
Likes people
Sympathetic
Nurturing
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Warm
Compassionate
Romantic
Spiritual
Idealistic
Willing to work tirelessly for
a cause
• Unselfish
• Empathic
• Loving
Orange needs
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Freedom
Flexible environment
Challenge
Humor
Independence
Spotlight
Stimulation
Excitement
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Expression
Fun/Play
Variety
Applause
Support
Change
Results
Affirmation
Gold needs
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Stability
Order
To be productive
Organization
Expectations met
Recognition
Following of directions
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Loyalty
Completion of tasks
Procedures
Detailed Information
Respect
Rules
Consistency
Green needs
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High achievement
Big picture
Mental challenges
Facts
Autonomy
Strategic plans
Brevity in speech
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Time for reflection
Succinct discussion
Few directions
Time to process
Recognition for
intelligence
• Being in charge
• Global concepts
Blue needs
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Warmth
Intimacy
Understanding
Physical touch
Inspiration
Compassion
Romance
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Empathy
Nurturing
Approval
Recognition
Affirmation
Affection
Sensuality
Matching roommates by type
• Roommate change
requests down 65%
• Residence damage
costs down 36%
• Similar roommates
are more satisfied
• Opposite roommates
have lower GPAs
P or J? Check their car interior
(or their dorm room)
Perceiving
• Clutter
• Like a personal
suitcase
• Less organized
Judging
• Clean like new
• Precise
• Out of sight
Extroverts’ Dorm Room
• External environments
stimulate them
• Choose bright exciting
paint
• Often not very
organized—too busy
What will stress students out
in college?
• What stresses you out on the job?
– At home?
– With your friends and family?
– In classes?
• Who is not stressed when you are stressed?
Orange is stressed by
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Too much responsibility
Rules & regulations
Abstract concepts
Reading manuals &
directions
• Imposed structure
• Personal criticism
• Following detailed
directions
• Routine
• Deadlines
• Inactivity
• Lack of fun
• Lack of variety
• Repetition
Gold is stressed by
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Incomplete tasks
Disorganization
Irresponsibility
Changing details or
directions
• Ambiguous tasks
• Broken promises
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Waste
Nonconformity
Lack of structure
Haphazard attitude
Too many things going on at
once
• People who don’t follow
through
Green is stressed by
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Not being in charge
Lack of independence
Subjective judgment
Emotional displays
Elaborate use of
adjectives
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Incompetence
Small talk
Routine
Social functions
Lack of recognition of
their ability
Blue is stressed by
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Broken promises
Too much negativity
Not being involved
Lack of social contact
Too much conformity
Clock watching
Being compared to
others
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Conflict
Lying
Rejection
Insincerity
Completing paperwork
as a priority
• Blaming the system
before people
Campus Community Colors
• Blue
Macalester, Drew, Hamilton, Hobart,
Moravian, Hiram
• Green
MIT, Cal Tech, Swarthmore, NJIT,
Cornell, Stevens, UMDNJ
• Orange
Sarah Lawrence, Antioch, Syracuse,
Full Sail, Emerson, Prescott
• Orange/Blue Bard, Oberlin, Northeastern,
Hampshire, Colorado College, Pitzer,
Paul Smith’s, Lewis & Clark, Grinnell
• Blue/Gold
Landmark, Notre Dame, Principia
• Orange/Green Reed, New College, Delaware,
Clemson, Cal Berkeley, Drexel,
Wesleyan (CT), Carnegie Mellon,
RPI
• Green/Gold
• Orange /Gold
Wellesley, Amherst, Brandeis
Citadel, Cooper Union
Rutgers
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Douglass
Cook
Livingston
Rutgers
Mason Gross
Pharmacy
Blue
Green/Orange
Orange/Blue
Green/Gold
Blue/Orange
Gold/Green
Others may see Orange as
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Irresponsible
Flaky
Goofs off too much
Disobeys rules
Manipulative
Scattered
Not serious
Not able to stay on
task
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Scattered
Cluttered
Uncontrollable
Resists closure on
decisions
• Indecisive
• Obnoxious
• Not to be trusted
Others may see Gold as
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Rigid
Controlling
Dull, boring
Stubborn
Opinionated
Unimaginative
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Judgmental
Bossy, controlling
Uptight
Predictable
Autocratic
System-bound
Others may see Green as
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Intellectual snob
Arrogant
Heartless
Doesn’t care about
people
Ruthless
Unrealistic
Eccentric, weird
Stingy with praise
Afraid to open up
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Emotionally controlled
Cool, aloof, unfeeling
Critical, fault finding
Devaluing relational
aspects
• Lacking mercy, unfair
• Unappreciative of others
Others may see Blue as
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Overly emotional
Bleeding Heart
Mushy
Hopelessly naïve
Too tender hearted
Easily duped
Too touchy-feeling
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Too nice
Too trusting
Smothering
Stuck in the past
Groveling
Fawning
Soft
Talks too much
Pushover
Who would you ask to
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Set up games for the freshman get-acquainted party
Train front desk assistants to greet guests
Develop an analysis of dining hall use on weekends
Manage a computerized system for logging in
residence hall visitors
Stay up late to talk with a homesick freshman
Tally surveys for residence hall noise complaints
Organize freshman teams for Spirit Week contests
Welcome new international students when they arrive
The Four MBTI Functions
• Extrovert – energized by being around others
• Introvert – energized by spending time alone
• Sensing – taking in information through five senses,
focusing on what exists, adding to external perceptions
(concrete)
• Intuiting – adding ideas to external perceptions through a
sixth sense, noticing what might or could be rather than
what actually is (insight)
• Thinking – prefer decisions that make logical sense (logicalobjective)
• Feeling – make decisions on how much they care or what
they feel is right (personal-values oriented)
• Judging – like to have things, orderly, planned or decided
• Perceiving – do not want to miss anything and are flexible
and spontaneous
The older we get, the more like
ourselves we become…
• Large group types are consistent over time
• In a study of 1,764 college students, their type
was not significantly different 10-13 years
later
**Individuals’ letters may change on scales close
to middle
MBTI
1st and 4th position:
Preferred style of choosing courses
and exploring major
1st: Extrovert vs. introvert
4th: Perceiving vs. judging
E-J: I want to decide and
get it over with!
• Declares major early
• Follows steps to goal
• Gets career
counseling
• Sense of purpose
• Makes appropriate
plans (counselors
love EJs)
• Most decisive style
• Chooses too early
• Premature
foreclosure
• Decides before
knowing self
• Interest wanes
• When disappointed,
chooses another
quickly without info
E-P: I want to experience it all!
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Ongoing process
“Bungee jumpers”
Decision is the
“Jumping off place
not a final stop”
• Many clubs and
courses-wants to
try everything
• Needs to talk
without making
decision
• Keeps changing mind
• Trial and error with
majors
• Wanders--Dabbler
• Forced into default
choice
• Frustrates their J
parents
• Doesn’t have a
logical college list
I-J: I want to be sure!
•
• Study options
•
methodically
• Researcher/analyst •
• Doesn’t consult
•
Too thorough
Read read read
Thinks alone
Surprises us with
parents
choice
• Data collector
• Counselor’s dream • Computer vs. gut
feeling
• Counselor’s fear
I-P: I wonder what I’ll be
when I grow up
• Stays true to their inner
world
• No decision is final
• *undecided major
• “Wanderers of career
decision-making”
• Journey-own pace
• Travel, semester abroad
• *likes special advising
programs
• Outside world info is
overwhelming
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Needs strong advising
Forced choice
*Least decisive style
Counselor’s nightmare
Roommate
• Extrovert/introvert roommates need
balance between activity outside and
quiet time
• Over-stimulated Introverts retreat into self
• Introverts may not be shy
• Extroverts may not be socially skilled
• Extroverts need more stimulation and
make demands of introvert roommates
Roommate Types
• Judging roommates follow schedule, get to
destination
• Perceiving roommates choose spontaneous
activities (never decide), meander
• Feeling want thanks for personal—caring, helping
• Thinking want thanks for doing a task well—
cleaned car, bought tickets
• Sensing or Intuitive similar roommates may have
fewest problems
• Sensing roommate needs stability but iNtuitive
roommate needs constant change and
excitement
RELATIONSHIPS & ROOMATES
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ETJs
Most assertive
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Set boundaries •
Control
environment
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Disrespect others’
boundaries
IFPs
Nonassertive
Don’t set clear
boundaries
Lack self
confidence
• Give in to others
Dating an INTP
• The only
problem with
dating is that
you have to
do it with
another
person
MELINDA
• Spring 2005
– Attended local college, lived at home
– Was unsuccessful
– Left school; worked various jobs for a few years
– Reentered community college, took courses in
culinary arts, worked with a caterer
– Worked in day care, enjoyed children, was
successful
True Colors and MBTI
BLUE
• Need to feel unique &
authentic
• Look for meaning in life,
warm
• Need to contribute, care
• I value Integrity & unity in
relationships
• A natural romantic, poet &
nurturer
GOLD
• Follow rules & respect
authority
• Strong sense of right and
wrong
• Need to be useful & belong
• Value home, family,
tradition
• Good citizen and helpful
MBTI TYPE: ENFJ
• Extraversion (Where you focus attention)
• People who prefer Extraversion tend to relate easily to the outer
world of people and things.
• N Intuition (How do you ‘take in’ information)
• People who prefer Intuition focus on the big picture & try to grasp
the essentials-focus on possibilities for the future.
• Feeling (How you make decisions)
• People who prefer Feeling like to decide things by considering what
is most important to them. Base their decisions on person-centered
values.
• Judging (How you deal with the outer world)
• People who prefer Judging tend to like to have things decided; life is
likely to be planned and orderly
EJ types
· Decisive, quickly move to implement decisions
“I want to decide and then get on with it.”
·Put selecting a major on their ‘to do’ list soon after
getting on campus.
·If a major doesn’t work out they want to quickly
pick a new one and ‘get on with it’.
· Have a clear set of logical standards, systematically
follow them and want others to also
· Forceful in implementing their plans
NF Types
• Typical fields of study:
– Counseling, human services
– Art and Music (she strongly dislikes this idea)
– Behavioral Science
– Education
– Writing/Journalism (Enjoys writing)
Tests/Papers
S
• Facts/practical
applications
• Don’t like multiple choicesecond guess
• Needs the right answer
• On essays write every fact
they know but not
integrated “mind dump”
• Write simply and
directly—no frills
N
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Inferences/meaning
Creative writing
Expansive, long
Embellish, goes off on
tangents
• Guess/hunch is right on
multiple choice
• Skips over detail
questions
• Philosophical-abstract
ideas,
Tests/Papers
J
P
• Linear-finish one paper
• Calendar, break down
tasks
• Follows specific
directions –exact
• Use texts, current
resources
• Multitasks—several
papers/projects
• Deadline-crunch time
• Digresses, new themes
emerge
• Library/internet search
unending
Study
S
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What it is
Memorize facts
Plow through text
Hard to put pieces
together into themes
and relationships
• “nitpicky details”
N
• What it all means
• Ideas, themes
• Relationships between
concepts/events
• Hard to support ideas
with specific facts, data,
or evidence
Study
J
• Breaks down study agenda
days/weeks ahead
• Organized study
desk/career
• Goes to extra review
sessions
• Types notes over
• Asks exactly what is on the
test
• Study group-too social and
time waster
P
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Reads, skims
All nighters
Cogitates
Bed, couch
Lacks notes/study guide
Study groups are
philosophical and social
ST
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Management/business
Accounting/banking
Engineering
Law enforcement
Skilled trades
SF
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Health care
Teaching
Community service
Religious service
Office work
NF
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Counseling
Human services
Writing/journalism
Behavioral science
Education
Art and music
NT
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Law
Computers
Physical science
Research
Management
Improving College Choices
• Use True Colors/MBTI
– for individual planning
– in small group and
classroom sessions
– Parent-student evening
college planning programs
– In family sessions to
compare college
environment or narrow
down the college list
– For faculty/staff in-service
for writing letters of
recommendation or
teacher advisor programs
– For comprehensive
career/college curriculum
• Practical applications for
– Common language
– Communication-parents
– Self-assessment
– Career decision making
– Understanding conflict
when other types push
our buttons
– Comparing college
environments
– Identifying potential
college stressors
– Matching learning style
to instructional style
– Rehearsing for social life