The looming college search may seem daunting and intimidating, but if you know where to start and how to get yourself organized, the process of making a list of schools you want to apply to will seem much easier.
Know What Type of School You’re Looking For
The best way to get thoughts organized is to sit down and figure out exactly what you want. Do you see yourself at a large research university or a small liberal arts college? (Check out a college search website, such as the Princeton Review or the College Board, to familiarize yourself with new terms like “liberal arts.” It’s not as scary as it sounds.)
Are you looking for a specific academic program? Do you want to be in a big city or a small town? How far from home are you willing to go?
Use College Search Engines
Once your preferences becomes clearer, you can do an advanced search on a college search engine, for instance on the Princeton Review or College Board websites, to find a list that matches your preferences. On the Princeton Review there is even a search engine called the Counselor-O-Matic, which finds colleges based on your academic and extracurricular qualifications and your type-of-college preferences. On the College Board, you can see how your qualifications match a school’s admissions standards.
As a side note, these sites also have abundant information on testing, the application process, and scholarships and financial aid, so they cover just about any question you (and your parent/guardian) may have about college.
The Vital School Visit
The most important step for college-seekers is to visit schools, if possible. After you have all of the basic facts, such as an appropriate academic program, optimal location, ideal size, and so on, there are some less concrete factors to take into account. Questions you should ask yourself on your visit:
- “Can I picture myself living in a dorm here/hanging out in that quad/grabbing pizza in this dining hall/etc.?”
- “Is this a place where I feel comfortable?”
- And of course, even though it sounds far too simple to ask, “Do I even like this place?”
In all likelihood, you will be living on or near the college campus and spending most of your time there, so don’t be afraid to be honest with yourself.
Some Final Words of Advice
And remember: Reputation is not everything. Granted, it’s something you should consider, but it should not be the sole factor in your decision. You could, for instance, visit an Ivy League school and hate it, but discover a lesser-known school that you absolutely love. College should be a place you can call home for four years, so your personal feelings about the places you visit are vital in making the final choice where to go.
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