So far, the seniors I work with have been been accepted to 32 different colleges! Additionally, an incredible amount of scholarship dollars are on the table. All-together they have applied to 120 unique colleges. As I reflect on their achievements, I am particularly awed by their willingness to explore and step out of their comfortable and familiar California environment. They are exploring colleges as far away as Dublin (Ireland-not California or Ohio!). They are seeing possibilities in large SEC schools in the South and Big 10 schools in the Midwest. The frigid, lake-effect weather in the Midwest does not seem to intimidate them. More importantly, their college lists include a large variety of types of schools from small, faith-based colleges to sports powerhouses. They applied to urban schools, traditional campuses in traditional college towns, tech schools and liberal arts colleges. Their college lists are as individual as they are, and they evolved after much introspection and prioritizing.
Here are three things they did to get to this place.
1. They paid attention on college visits.
“Too many of the guys were wearing collared shirts.”
“I don’t want to get hit by a train.”
“People weren’t walking in groups, and they all had ear buds in.”
“The campus is too spread out which might make me late for class.”
“No one seems happy.”
“I think it’s creepy that there is a graveyard on campus.”
“Everyone seems happy.”
“They have their own place to ski.”
“The class I sat in on was very interesting, and the professor was really respectful of all the students.”
“They use Handshake.” (Spoiler alert: 1500 colleges use Handshake)
“There is a bakery in town that sells delicious ¼ lb cookies.”
2. They researched
These seniors investigated available majors, and if their first choice wasn’t available, they found alternatives that would still get them to their goals. Many embraced being undecided, if they were unsure and didn’t want to commit. They also learned how a major could be taught differently at different schools. They also wanted to know if their major choice was going to hurt their chances of admission, and, if so, they adjusted accordingly. In all cases, they were in touch with their priorities.
Additionally, they looked into clubs and organizations that they would like to try such as club sports or sororities and fraternities or career-focused clubs. Also campus safety and study abroad opportunities were both important to members of this class. Finding a good fit is about a lot more than academics.
Sometimes their research led them to decisions to take schools off their list. That is an indicator that they are in touch with what will really work for them.
3. They looked for Value
They learned what WUE is and which colleges participate. Return on investment was important, so they asked how they might leverage scholarship opportunities. They became aware of total cost of attendance and if their colleges were “need-blind” or need-aware.” Lastly, they filed their FAFSA’s in a timely basis.
Importantly, they filtered out what others think and stuck to what they want exercising their independence and individuality. By making their own ranking system, instead of chasing trophies, they focused on schools where they could thrive and be totally happy. Many have not heard back yet from dream schools, and some are already struggling with disappointment, but none will be left without fantastic options all because they put in the work when making their college lists. They did their homework.