College Admission Help

College Counselor Advice: Still Don’t Know Where to Go? Try Out These Ideas
By Dr. Patrick O’Connor
It’s coming right down to the wire. Chances are this won’t be an easy decision. While college applications are at an all-time high, most students were admitted to more than one college, leaving their options open for as long as possible—but now it’s time to choose.

It’s not uncommon to be uncertain right now, but you really do have a lot of time—you’ve put semester-long projects together in five days, and they came out O.K. If you’re in need of some guidelines as you think your way through these issues, try these:

• Think college qualities, not college names. There are reasons why you loved the colleges you applied to—the small class size, the classes they offer, the feel on campus. Write those qualities down, and see how each of your schools matches up to those qualities.
• Visit the campuses—one way or another. The last time you visited your colleges, you were thinking ‘I guess this could work.’ This isn’t a time to guess—head back to campus with Mom and Dad, bring your list of qualities, and take a much closer look—including sitting in on classes if at all possible. If you can’t get there, take the virtual tour on the college’s Web site—that may bring back some memories, or show you some new things to consider
• De-brief at the end. Once you’re through with a campus visit, talk with your parents about what you saw. What qualities were on campus that you liked? What new questions do you have? Can you see yourself at this college?
• Seek parental input. It’s great to show some independence, but your parents are the two people who know you best. Invite their expertise—“Mom, Dad, do you see me being happy here?”
• Compare the colleges you have, not the ones you wanted. Once you’ve toured the campuses, compare their strengths and weaknesses—but leave the dream school that denied you out of the picture. You might not find a perfect campus, but you’ll most likely find a best one—focus on that goal, and you’ll be fine. It’s time to move on.
• Don’t forget your heart... You might not able to describe why a college is best for you, but that’s OK. You’ve done a lot of research and thinking—at this point, you can trust your heart to lead you. Your head will remember why this college was best for you when you come to campus in the fall.
• Check finances one last time. You still can’t get two colleges in a bidding war over you, but if you have a college you love and it’s a little out of reach, call the admissions and financial aid offices—that’s usually two calls—and tell them so. A sincere call shows them you’re interested; not calling at all doesn’t give any impression, and may leave you short in the wallet for no reason at all.
• Start the hunt again. If your choices really don’t thrill you, wait until May 5th. That’s when colleges discover they have unexpected openings—and of course they’ll want to fill them. Getting financial aid might be a challenge, but you never know—call the admissions office, or look at the Space Availability Report at www.nacacnet.org – but remember, that may mean you risk having no school at all next fall.

I said it once, and I’ll say it again—you can do this.


College Counselor Advice: Still Don’t Know Where to Go? Try Out These Ideas