People Person
I'm dating myself but, paraphrasing Barbra Streisand’s famous lyric, people need people. (Ask your parents for a cultural reference.)
The second “P”…
Good Vibrations
Colleges—just like towns and high schools—have personalities as well as reputations. One is emotional while the other (mostly) depends on evidence (and history). But assessing a college's personality is more of a feeling than an analytical proposition. It's a flavor rather than a data point.
The vibe of a campus is intangible but you’ll detect it. And you’ll react to it. That’s an essential aspect of your college search: can you see yourself at that place?
As you get to know a campus (in person or online) keep a list of the adjectives you associate with it: friendly, intense, playful, athletic, apolitical, preppy, spirited, anonymous, funky, international… These are just a few examples of the kind of reactions you might have. It's our job (the colleges) to introduce ourselves to you; it's your job to decide if you like what you see.
Write down your impressions. (Keep a visit journal.) Then evaluate those descriptors on your terms: would those be the words you'd use to describe yourself? What's your vibe? What's the college’s vibe? Do you like it? If they overlap, there's a match! Keep exploring.
A Sense of Place
Once upon a time (did you just say “uh oh”?) I was a high school senior. (It was a very long time ago.) My father and I were on our way to a college…
Bigger on the Inside
I’m a big, huge, colossal, diehard fan of Doctor Who. But this post isn’t about that, it’s my version of giving you what I feel is the most important tip…