Making the College Search About You

For all of you high school juniors, your college admissions journey is about to officially begin.  You and your family might have Googled a few schools or know of some in your area that you’d like to apply to.  But this is when we actually formulate some of those inquiries into a list and slowly begin making some decisions on narrowing down your choices.

There are so many factors that go into choosing your list of colleges to apply to, and the decisions you’ll make along the way aren’t necessarily easy ones.  But the exciting part of this whole experience is that it’s YOURS. I am a huge advocate for parental involvement throughout this process, but you have to remember that you will be the one at this school for the next four or so years.  You might need to be a little selfish and remember to put your needs before others’, while still allowing outside influences to help you along your journey. This is about making informed decisions and ending up at a college where you will thrive, belong, and be happy.

Below are some ways you can ensure your own ideas and thoughts are what are navigating your decisions:

Think About What You Want

What are YOU hoping to get out of your experience in college?  Will you do better in a small town community with connections, or a big city with lots of opportunities?  Are there specific sports or hobbies you want to pursue while in college? Don’t think about “name brand” schools.  Find the schools that offer all that you’re looking for, and add it to your list - even if your friends and family haven’t heard of it.  (That isn’t what matters anyway!) It’s about your experience.

Don’t Let Opinions Get In Your Way

Many people have opinions about various colleges for whatever reasons (this football team is better, that education is worth more, etc.).  How does that impact you, your search, and your future experience? Focus on your own thoughts and the experiences you want out of college.  Do your own research and determine if it actually does matter to you if that football team is better, or if you also think you’ll get a better education at one school over the other.

There Are No Wrong Reasons

You might have a feeling about a school that checks all of your boxes, but it just doesn’t feel “right.”  And that’s okay. You don’t need a specific reason to not feel connected to a school, and you shouldn’t apply somewhere that doesn’t feel like a choice you want to pursue.  If you can’t see yourself as a student there, that’s okay. And if you’re really attracted to a school that surprises you (and others), that’s okay too!

Enjoy the Experience

The beginning of the college search process can be a little overwhelming and you might not know where to start, but this really can be a time for you to learn about yourself and enjoy the process!  Take time to do all the research you can and learn about all of the opportunities available to you. If you’re working with a consultant, they’ll be able to pick out schools that fit your academic, social, and financial profiles.  It really can be fun because the sky's the limit, and you’re just getting started!

This isn’t about ignoring everything your parents have ever told you about college, or not listening to any counselors or friends while making your decisions. These are all great resources that I encourage you to take into consideration as you begin this process! However, you have to make sure that little voice in your head is loud enough over all the noise. Take all advice and simply ensure that it aligns with what you’re looking for in a college experience. After all, it is your experience.