A couple of months ago, one of my colleagues tackled the task of creating your college visit list. Her advice was fantastic for deciding which schools you want to initially visit, but now you face a task that is maybe even more daunting. Now, you have to create a list of schools to which you will dedicate a (probably) significant amount of time applying this fall. So, without any further ado, here’s my guide to narrowing your list!
- Rethink your non-negotiables. Hopefully you’ve had the chance to visit some of the schools you’re thinking about, and even if you haven’t, look up some schools near you and go visit them regardless of whether you want to apply. It'll help you clarify what you’re looking for. I first visited a small school in the middle of nowhere and immediately realized I wanted something bigger and more urban. That helped me cross a bunch of schools I couldn’t visit off my list. You shouldn’t be applying to schools that don’t have the major you think you might be interested in, aren’t in the location you know you want, or aren’t the size that you’ll thrive in.
- Look for the things you liked. Did you find that you loved the size of your local state school but also loved the student-centered focus of the liberal arts school near you? Then you should look for some larger liberal arts programs that focus on undergraduate education. Maybe they were both too rural for you, so you look at some schools that are closer to cities. Maybe the vibe at one school felt laidback while the other was buzzing with activity. If you connected with the laidback vibe, email some students from the larger liberal arts schools that focus on undergraduate education and are near a city and ask if the students seem laidback or intense. By singling out the things you liked and didn’t like about each of your visits, you can settle on some important questions to ask students at the schools you can’t visit while also finding some new schools that fit your criteria.
- Think long-term. While some of you might step on a campus and have that magical “aha” moment where you just know it’s the right place for you, most of you won’t. A big reason for that is most of you are still a full year – or more - away from college. It’s going to be hard to really connect with a place that you’re just not ready for quite yet. So instead, think about who you want to be. The best way to get to know a school is to talk to as many students as possible. So as you talk to students or e-mail them, remember that these students are a few years ahead of you and have already had a chance to let their institutions shape them. So rather than looking for the schools where people feel the most like you, think about where people feel the most like the person you want to be.
- Love your list. A former admissions officer in my office always used say this and I think he’s on to something. Craft a list of schools to apply to that is both realistic and specific to you. Make sure there are some schools you think you’d have a very good chance of being accepted to, some that you have a pretty good chance of getting into, and maybe some you think you have a very small chance of getting into but it’s worth it to give it a shot. Make sure you have some schools that, based on their financial aid policies, you’re positive would make an affordable choice (and work with your guidance counselor or an admissions counselor to confirm that you’re making smart decisions). But also make sure that you’d actually want to go to all the schools on your list. They don’t have to all be ideal scenarios, and they don’t all have to check off all of your boxes, but don’t waste your time, energy, and money applying to schools that you know would make you unhappy.
Good luck crafting your list! And if you’re feeling overwhelmed through the process, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. Your parents, guidance counselors, or admissions officers can all be helpful resources as you’re putting your list together. This process isn’t easy for anyone, so asking for help is not out of the ordinary!
Image used through Creative Commons license courtesy of Mufidah Kassallas