Ask yourself what you would like to do for the next four years. Not “who will take me” or “where can I get in”. What do YOU want?
ACTIVITIES: What do you like to do with your free time? Do you want to study abroad? Play tennis every moment you’re not studying? Start a rock band? These factors can make the difference between just four more years of studying and really getting involved and having a new experience in college. Students who get involved in campus life – clubs, sports, volunteering – report back to us that they really felt like a part of the life of their school, made great friends, and found new areas of talent they never knew they had.
SOCIAL: Whom do you hang out with? Do you have one or two close friends or do you travel in a pack? The answer to the question says a lot about what size college would be a good fit for you socially. Smaller colleges will provide opportunities to get to know people closely – your professors, classmates, and administrators. It’s also a great fit for someone who has a hard time coming out of his or her shell. Whereas, on a large college campus, unless you know how to maneuver in big groups and how to make friends easily, you could get lost.
GEOGRAPHY: How far are you willing to travel to see your family on school breaks? Do you need to be near water? Mountains? A city? Is your family able to spend money on a plane ticket for every visit home? Or do you need to be within driving distance?
CLASS SIZE: Think about your best class in high school. Was it packed to the rafters? Or were there just a few of you? Do you work better independently? Can you pay attention in a large lecture, or do you need the stimulation of class involvement to stay awake? Would it matter to you if classes are taught by TA’s (teaching assistants/grad students) or do you want a professor for every class?
These are just a few of the factors that we encourage all our student to consider when thinking about their college search. We can guide you further and help you find a perfect match for your needs, but first, you need to do some searching within yourself.
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