Find the Right College: Steps to Make the Best Decision
Whether you’re a high school student or someone looking to make a change in life, all you want is to find the right college. But finding the right college doesn’t happen by chance. It requires research, conversations and many small steps to make a decision. Putting together a well-organized college search game plan will make this process MUCH easier and here are four steps to make it happen:
1. Do your homework. Have you decided what kind of school you want to attend? What you want to study? Where you want to be? Making up-front decisions like these will help to find the right college by narrowing your search. Focus on applying to only those schools that offer what you want out of the college experience, academically and personally. When I was applying to graduate school, a counselor told me not to apply anywhere I wouldn’t want to live. That’s good advice. Don’t apply to 50 schools, it’s a waste of time and money.
2. Talk to people. High school guidance counselors, college counselors, parents and relatives are all excellent resources when it comes to finding the right college. Lay it all out on the table, tell them what you’re looking for. The more conversations you have with experienced people, the better chance of determining the right fit - especially when you speak with people who have your best interest in mind. For me, it was actually my aunt who played the biggest role in landing me at the University of Missouri, which turned out being the perfect place for me. You just never know who will have that influence on you, so don’t be afraid to approach people with your questions and concerns.
3. Get out there. College visits are a critical step for anyone trying to find the right college. Application brochures and packets always show the most beautiful campus pictures and tell the best stories about a school. That’s fine, but once you narrow your search, go to those campuses you’re interested in and take a look for yourself. Don’t just go on the guided campus tour, kick the tires for yourself. I did a self-tour on one of my campus visits, approached random students on campus with my questions and looked under the hood with my own eyes. Don’t just accept what the admissions office says, get your own answers.
4. Nail the application. Now that you’ve seen campuses and determined which schools you’ll apply to, crafting a great application becomes a crucial step. A well-written essay, full of personality, and great letters of recommendation don’t happen overnight, so start early. Most high school students don’t have a resume, but this is a great time to put one together. Have a college or guidance counselor help you with each of these elements. You only get one chance to assemble a great application that will impress admissions officers - so be thorough and start early.
Every applicant wants to find the right college, but they don’t always have the “know how”. Just like anything else, a little planning up front pays huge dividends in the end. Best of luck!
