Feelings of anxiety around college selection are very common for high school students. Many do not know where to start or feel that they are falling behind.
“It is an extremely difficult and time-consuming process to narrow down colleges and to apply,” senior Cheri Chan. “There were times where I was doubtful that I would be able to apply for colleges and get financial aid in time. My biggest advice for anyone starting out is to take steps to getting as prepared as soon as possible so that when your senior year rolls around, you can feel more relaxed about going to college.”
In order to get a head start, counselor Elizabeth Hare recommends students start scouting for specific colleges early on in the year rather than later down the line.
“I start pushing the college selection journey by meeting with freshmen and asking them about their interests,” Hare said. “This is important because it will help me show them resources that will benefit them in their future career. I don’t expect students to have a college ‘locked-in,’ but I do think they should start thinking about their options and understand the admission criteria.”
In light of starting early, freshman Coryn Degan has set out to build a successful college career path with her counselor.
“My counselor and I both discussed some of the colleges I had been looking at, some of which were in different countries,” Degan said. “She explained some of the standards I would need to meet to attend a college abroad. I have actually thought a lot about what I would need to do to become a chef. I would eventually want to work my way up to becoming an executive chef.”
During the beginning stages of looking for a higher education after high school, it is important to keep in mind that college may not be for everyone. Junior Luke Gil has taken into consideration that college may not have to be a part of his future career.
“I think that college is really pricey and in many cases is not worth the money that you put into it,” Gil said. “College also makes you wait a longer time after you are admitted to start learning. I have realized that trade school would be a more beneficial investment for me because it focuses more on the specific information of the trade instead of having to take unnecessary English or math classes.”
However, if you are looking towards college as an option, finding interest for a specific career is important to identify what kind of school meets those needs. Junior Matison Hayes feels that the atmospheric aspects of college make a big difference when choosing a school.
“Although I don’t know exactly what college I would like to attend, I do know that I would like to study criminal justice or criminology,” Hayes said. “I had never thought about this before but my counselor made me realize that the non-academic factors will be most impactful on my college decision. It is really important to me that I go to a smaller college, one that has lots of clubs and organizations, and one that has a ski resort nearby.”
Hare encourages students to research the college they have selected thoroughly to make sure it best fits their needs.
“It is best if students have an idea of where they want to apply before their senior year,” Hare said. “They might add some schools to their list as they go to college presentations, but many applications open early in the fall. Being prepared is important because colleges have deadlines for merit scholarships. Students don’t want to miss the opportunity to get money for college.”
Along with researching, going on college visits to get a feel of the campus can make it easier to make a decision.
“Visiting colleges gives you a feel of the campus and can either be an immediate indicator of whether you like the college or not,” Chan said. “If you are looking at colleges out of state, I highly recommend visiting them even if you are remotely interested in a certain college because it’s free and it’s also a great opportunity to get the feel of the campus. Talking to college students can be extremely helpful and fun as well.”
Everyone begins their college journey at different times, but applying is the final and most important.
“I would one thousand percent recommend starting your college applications in the summer before your senior year at the very least,” Chan said. “Also, thinking about building up your resume and trying new things that will make you stand out. Asking for letters of recommendation early and making a good impression on your teachers. Work a little bit towards your college goal every day and you’ll avoid all of the last-minute hassles.”
