The college application process can be daunting no matter the grade level. Navigating what school is the best fit for you is confusing and overwhelming regardless. College is going to be one of the most significant and defining times of your life, and in order to be successful, you need to learn how to pick the right school for you!
First, you need to decide what a ‘dream school’ includes for you. Students often feel pressured to pick a school without knowing what they want from it. You will not find the college experience fulfilling when you don’t have a complete grasp on your end goal. My first piece of advice is to find what aspects of the experience are most important to you. Whether it be prestige, community, location, or opportunity, selecting which of these means the most to you allows the college selection process to be significantly easier.
With that, it is important to pick some schools that fit these values, and take notes! When you see or visit a school, does it feel like somewhere you belong? Do its values align with what matters to you? Whether it be faith or a mission, these are important things to consider in deciding if a school is right for you. Are there majors, programs, clubs, or jobs that excite you and align with your goals? Is the level of academic workload too easy, too overwhelming, or somewhere that pushes you in a healthy manner? Do you want a large campus in a big city far away, or would you rather be in a secluded private campus closer to home? Lastly, do you really see yourself going to this place? When you know, you know and if you visit a school that’s meant for you, it will be next to obvious.
Secondly, your dream school doesn’t have to be perfect. You are moving through a time in your life where you are finding yourself. The perfect school for you in sophomore year doesn’t have to be the same for your senior year. You are growing and finding out who you are. It’s okay to change your mind about what you want, especially when you are faced with this defining of a decision. Your dream can change when you visit campus or talk to other students about their experiences, and that’s okay. The most important thing you need when searching is an open mind. Don’t stick to a decision you made three years ago when you didn’t know what you wanted from life yet. Do not let external pressures dictate your future. You should not go to a school only because your parents want you to go there, or a bunch of your friends are going. The best part of choosing a dream school is that it’s your decision, so don’t let someone who’s not you dictate your future.
This all may seem confusing now, but it will click when the time is right. You will have a gut feeling when you find the place where you belong. The right school isn’t the one that everyone dreams of, it’s one that feels like yours. No matter where you end up, your experience will be what you make of it. If you keep a positive mindset, you are bound to succeed no matter where you go.
