College planning is so much
more than occasionally visiting your guidance counselor, taking entrance
tests and reading recruitment brochures. You could
be spending four intense years at the college or university you choose, and the
degree you earn will be a tool you will have for the rest of your life. It’s
important to know how to choose the best school for your higher education, and
it’s never too early to start your college planning.
Planning for College: It’s All
About You
The first step in college
planning is allowing yourself to accept that going to college is a very real,
reachable goal for you. At the moment, what you are going to do for a career or
your potential major are not as crucial as getting to know what sort of
education would interest you. It's OK if you don't know right away; in the
beginning, college planning is mostly about self-discovery and research.
You also need to be sure that
you get to pick your college. Sometimes students let life pick their colleges
for them, because they don't plan. With more than 5,000
colleges and universities to choose from,
merely responding to a brochure, listening to a friend or loved one, or letting
time run out in the college admissions process could really limit your choices.
You need to get to know
yourself and begin to develop a profile for what type of college or university
will suit you. Think about these questions:
- Who are you?
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What do you like?
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What don’t you like?
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How much personal interaction do you want to have with teachers?
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Where do you want to live?
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What are your strengths?
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What help might you need along the way?
Research Colleges
As you begin researching
colleges, you might consider creating a college-planning binder or journal to
keep track of everything you learn. Print off college planning and admissions
newsletters, articles, and blogs. Keep a list of the names of schools people
suggest to you. Create a list of schools that begin to appeal to you.
You can research the colleges
on your list -- and others -- via online college profiles or through books that
profile schools across the country..You can find out how large the schools are,
how much they cost, how hard it is to get in, what the atmosphere is like, what
academics they are strongest in and other details that will help you decide whether
a school is right for you. This information can be valuable in narrowing down your
college search.
As you find colleges you are
interested in, be sure to note the associated costs. This will help you and
your family save, plan and prepare for your transition to life after high
school.
How can you learn more about a
school you are interested in? Visit the college’s website, order admission
materials and go visit in person for a campus tour. Many colleges and
universities also have open houses, where prospective students can come learn
about the programs offered, sit in on classes and sometimes even spend a night
with a current student in a dormitory.
Strategies for When It’s Time
to Apply
Once you narrow down your list,
it is time to begin working on your college applications. It is highly
advisable that you apply for at least two or three schools, and most students
apply for many more.
Apply to at least one safety
school, a college you are nearly positive you can get into, even if it’s not a
school you’re passionate about attending. This will be your backup in case you
do not get into a more selective school.
Next, apply to several schools
that seem right on par with your interests and academic abilities. Then, apply
to one or two stretch schools -- these are very selective institutions you may
not be likely to get into, but you would love to attend if they accept you.
Once You’ve Been Accepted
Once you begin receiving
acceptance letters, you have another big choice. You need to figure out which
school you will actually attend. Here are a few tips for deciding on the
college or university that will best meet your needs:
Take Your Time
In most cases, once you receive
an acceptance letter, you will have at least a month to decide whether or not
to attend that college. Closely review your options with your family and
guidance counselor, and make a list of pros and cons for every school. This is
a big decision and you shouldn’t rush it.
Take a Closer Look
Review the
literature and notes you have about the colleges that have accepted you. Scour
the schools’ websites, as well as the web for more information. Visit the
colleges again, if possible, and think about how the learning and social
atmosphere, as well as the dining and housing options, would affect you on a
daily basis if you choose to enroll there. Talk with current students and
alumni about their experiences as students at the colleges. You can always try
to find someone through Facebook or ask the admissions department to put you in
touch with somebody.
Trust Your Instincts!
College is a huge investment of
time and money, and how you feel about your decision counts a great deal. If
you have two or more choices, it may be wise to go with the one that just feels
right for you. Don’t choose a school because it is better known or it’s where
your parents want you to go. Go where your gut tells you -- you know what’s
best for you.
Have Open Discussions
Talk
openly with your parents, friends and your guidance counselor about
your feelings and reasons for wanting to go to each college on your acceptance list.
Listen carefully to their opinions to get different perspectives on the
possibilities.
Still Undecided?
If
you are still unsure about which school to attend after serious thought or if you are
feeling uninspired, consider taking a year off (called a “gap year”) before you
enroll. You may not be ready to attend college right away, and a year of growth
gained from further study, travel, community service or work might be just the
thing for you.