Have You Made Your College List?

Are you a rising high school junior or senior? Summer is high time for you to build and hone your college list! College lists are comprehensive lists of all the schools you are applying to. Having a tailored working list will keep you organized. It’s a great foundation for speaking to your guidance counselor, but it will also help you take some control of your future and bring you some important clarity.

Keep your list somewhere that is easily accessible—like a Word doc or spreadsheet—and refer to it often.  

Start with what’s most important to you. You’ll be living at college for (at least) four years, what is crucial for you to be comfortable in your new home?

Here are some ideas to get you thinking about what you need. Fulfilling your college dreams starts with self-awareness. Write down (or record) your answers. There are no right or wrong answers, there are only Your answers.

• Major – What are you passionate about? What do you imagine your field of study will be? Make sure the schools on your list live up to your dreams for your future.

• Location – Do you love rural life, or do you thrive in the city? Choose a school that suits your social and cultural needs.  

• Size of school – Are you more comfortable in small groups of people or do you love the vitality of crowds? What size school best fits your needs?

• Climate – Do you love the winter, or would you rather wear shorts and flip flops all year? If you’re comfortable where you’re living, you’ll find better success in college life.

• Activities and Clubs – What do you love to do in your free time? Are you a Minecraft fanatic or do Broadway Musicals float your boat? Whether you’re into soccer, fencing, or poetry, make sure the schools on your list offer the activities you love.

• Sports – Are you an athlete? Make sure your college has a team. Are you an enthusiast? Being at a college imbued with a team spirit can bring you a sense of belonging.

• Music and the Arts – Whether you’re a musician, an artist, or just a lover of the arts, how important is art to your daily life?

• Admission requirements – Are there any additional or unusual requirements for admission? Can you meet those requirements?
  
• Learning support – What are your grades like? What kind of support will you need in college? Will you need accommodations?
  
• Food – Do you have any dietary constraints or allergies? Are you a vegetarian? Do you eat kosher? Do you like consistency in your diet or variety? You interact with food every day, multiple times a day. Make sure the schools you use can accommodate your dietary needs and desires?
  
• Religion – Do you have a religious practice? Make sure the schools on your list can meet your ecumenical needs.
  
• Transportation – How will you get around campus? Will you ride your bicycle? Use public transportation? Want to drive your own car? Can freshmen have cars? Where will you park? Is it important to be near an airport?

These are just a few important aspects of college life you need to take into consideration when selecting schools that will suit your personality and your needs. Start writing. You might come up with even more important requirements your new school should meet.