With many early applications being due in early November and December, students are having to finalize their college lists soon. This can be an extremely overwhelming time for many seniors in high school which is why it is important to make the college search as easy as possible. Yaretzi Hernandez (12) explains that “it’s difficult to balance schoolwork and applications at the same time, but I know it’ll be worth it in the end.”

There are several factors that contribute to choosing the right college such as environment, opportunities, geographic location, school statistics, and much more. However, each college has unique aspects which is why there is a college for everyone. Here’s how to narrow down your list of colleges and finalize it before applications are due!

Think About What You’re Looking for in a College

It’s important to think about a general location when searching for colleges because there are colleges by the beach, city, mountains, and much more. It’s also important to consider whether out-of-state schools would be a possibility as well because some individuals prefer to stay closer to home, which is completely okay. The size is another crucial factor to consider because oftentimes, colleges that are larger don’t have as many resources to go around like smaller colleges do.

However, larger colleges are more likely to give students the “college experience” that many search for. College is meant to be a place where students can both learn and participate in activities outside of their schoolwork, which is why each college offers different sports, clubs, and social lives. Additionally, it is also essential that students consider their academic goals in the long run because some colleges are higher ranked than others in a few areas. All of these factors can be ranked differently depending on students’ priorities, which is completely up to them. 

Types of Colleges 

There are a variety of different colleges that relate to a general idea of what students want. For example, public universities often offer in-state tuition with larger campuses that contain a lot more options for majors than a smaller school would. Private universities often cater to students who desire a smaller school with more unique aspects. Although they are more expensive, private schools are known for providing financial aid to their students.

Additionally, community colleges are also great choices if students want to continue their education but aren’t quite sure about their future yet. Faith Saba (12) describes her experience in looking for a college by saying, “There are so many different types of colleges, so it’s important to have a general idea about what you’re looking for.” All of these options should be considered because any education is an amazing education.

How to Research and Finalize 

There are several websites that are meant to aid students in their search for a college that suits them best. A few great examples are Niche and College Board’s Big Future. A few things students should be looking for are acceptance rates, graduation rates, financial aid rates, and averages in GPA and tests scores. Looking at all of these statistics will make it easier to decide which schools are safeties, targets, and reaches. It is better to have quality over quantity when applying to schools because it saves students a lot of additional stress. After finalizing a list, students should have around 8-10 schools on their list because it narrows it down while also having a variety. 

There is no right or wrong answer in deciding which colleges interest you. College is a great pathway for many careers, but it is not the only one. However, college does set up many students for their futures by teaching both life skills and knowledge. Although applying to college is stressful, it is definitely worth trying because it only helps you.