Choosing a College
Who are you, and why are you going to college?
Start by examining yourself and your reasons for going to college. Why, really, are you going? Would going to school 1,500+ miles away really be best? How big is too big for a campus? What do you want out of life? Does this school have any of my social interests? Talk with your family, friends, and high school counselors as you ask these questions. The people who know you best can help you the most with these important issues.
Size matters
Your college does not have to be bigger than you high school. Most good liberal arts colleges have a population of fewer than 4,000 for a reason. What really matters, however, is not the number of people, but the people themselves and the kind of community in which you will learn. Many large universities have established smaller "honors colleges" for this reason.
A name-brand college will not guarantee success
Think about the people in your life who are happy and successful. Find out whether they went to college, and if so, where they attended. Often you'll find that success in life has less to do with one's choice of a college than with personal qualities and traits, the experience, and the opportunities one has in college. Employers and graduate schools are looking for outstanding skills and experience, not college pedigree. As you search for colleges, ask about student outcomes and you will find many colleges you may have never heard of that outperform the Ivies and Name Brands!
You don't need to pick a major yet
Very few high school students have enough information or experience to choose a major. Most students need the variety and depth of college coursework to determine their interests and aptitudes. In fact, most college students change their minds two or three times before they settle on a major and still graduate in four years! Being undecided is a good thing: it will leave you open to more academic experiences. Click here to take the McGinley Interest Inventory to help guide you in deciding on a major.
Don't be scared by the stories
If you pay attention to the headlines when it comes to college admissions, you might believe that no one is getting in anywhere! The truth is, the majority of the colleges and universities in this country admit more students than they reject. If you are worried about your chance for admission and are willing to explore beyond the very narrow band of highly selective colleges, you will find many options that could be a great fit for you.
You can afford to go to college
If you assume that you cannot afford college based on the "sticker price," you will miss out. It may be difficult for you to talk about money, but if you investigate all the options and ask for help and advice, you will find affordable choices. Investigate early and ask for help. For Federal Student Aid information Click Here. For more information on the Hathaway Scholarship, please visit https://hathawayscholarship.org.
The most important factor is fit
Choosing a college because your friends are going there or because of where it ranks on a list does not take into account who you are and who you will become. College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won. Finding a good fit requires time and introspection. Visiting a college's website, learning about campus events and guest speakers, and getting in touch with current students and faculty are good ways to supplement a campus visit - or to decide if you even want to spend the time and money on a visit. If you do decide to visit, take the time to sit in on classes, eat in the dining hall, and hang around in the student center or other high-traffic areas. Imagine yourself as part of the community. Talk to students, and ask if they would make the same college choice if they had to do it again.