What Type of College is Right for You?
December 12, 2016
Today there are so many different types of colleges, programs, and majors that it can be very hard to choose which college is right for you.
One of the first things to look at when making a decision about where to apply is what type of campus you want to live and study on. Choosing between a larger or smaller campus is the first step to narrowing down which college is right for you. Do you want to know everybody at your school, or are you looking for more of a college town experience where you meet new people everyday?
The next step is finding what college suits you academically. Are you looking for a liberal arts school or a more STEM focused college? Maybe you want to attend a school more specific to what you may want to do in the future, like a music or art based school. Determining what programs you want your future school to be geared towards will definitely help you find the right college. Another aspect to factor into your decision is the kinds of activities the college offers. Sports, the arts, service, and other interests can be a huge part in determining the right school.
Financial situations, as much as we hate to admit it, play a big role in selecting a college. While getting recruited or receiving a scholarship can help make the choice easier, have a chat with your family and set a budget as to how much you and your parents are willing to spend. While education has no price, your wallets shouldn’t have to suffer.
Once you start compiling a list of places you are thinking about, the next thing to do is to consult your college counselors and start your applications. The best time to start applications is over the summer since colleges share what essay topics they will use and you can start compiling all the information that will be needed, like awards, clubs you are involved in, your service involvement, and so on. Make sure to take a look at the common application, since many schools use it, and it is a great tool for seeing what applications are like and what kind of information you will need. Also, when the school year starts, keep finding time to work on the applications since they can seem tedious and often get procrastinated. Know all the dates of applications as well so you can stay on track while also keeping an eye out for which schools you want to apply to early action or decision for earlier results and replies.
When applying to college, make sure to get help and advice from our college counselors. Our hardworking Mr. Petrone and Mrs. O’Connell always have their doors open to discuss which schools to look at, which applications to use, tips on writing or editing essays, and keeping students on track when it comes to the college process. They also invite students to email any questions they may have, and both advisors offer great advice during senior Human Development sessions during the months of the application process. Mr. Petrone and Mrs. O’Connell also help relieve some of the pressure during this time by making sure letters of recommendations and transcripts get sent in along with your application. Keeping them up to date on how far along you are in the process, what you need help on, and where you have submitted will help our college counselors get their job done and make your application a success.
Once those applications are in, the hardest part comes next: waiting. This is also the time to reflect on which college you are hoping to get into. As soon as the results come out, you will know which school is right for you, whether it was your top choice, your safety school, or something else down your list.
The place you end up at is ultimately the place you were meant to be all along. It may be hard to determine the right school for you since there are so many great options, but in the end, everyone finds their perfect place.
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