The first thing to remember about picking a good college is never to put your eggs into one basket. Don’t go overboard working hard, maintaining a high GPA, putting in community services, just for admission into one college. Remember that there’s always the chance you might get that dreaded rejection letter. Be sure to apply to lots of places you would like to study at – keep the options open. There are over 2,000 colleges and universities you can choose from, so settle upon at least 6 to 7 places that suit your needs and priorities. Don’t just go for the Ivy League colleges, choose others as well.
Think carefully about what you want from your college – good location, low cost, great classes, great professors? Some people find fraternities and social life more important than classes. It depends from person to person. So do your research, visit lots of websites and go to education guidance counselors who will show you the right way.
A good suggestion is to visit the campuses of the colleges you decide upon. You can tell a lot about the college by looking at the campus life and its facilities. If allowed, you could even meet the Dean or other professors. Most colleges are usually very welcoming to prospective students. Keep fallback options in case the colleges you wanted badly didn’t work out. Keeping lots of options available is essential. Determine the right fit for yourself, and act accordingly. The College Board is a great website that you can look at to find the right college for yourself.
You should also consider things like the climate of the place. Do you have problems with any specific kind of weather? Would you like an urban atmosphere better, or a rural one? Consider the location – how far is it from home? If visiting home is important to you, then you will need to apply to colleges which are close by, or in neighboring states, at least. If you haven’t already decided on a major, then decide on one. Read the right books, think what you’re passionate about, consult the tomes in your school library, and do approach your school guidance counselors.
And lastly, don’t select a college just because your friends are going there, or because your significant other is going there. That’s the worst reason possible. Don’t accept other’s judgments before doing research yourself; often they don’t know the proper facts.
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