Is the ‘Right’ College Really a Thing?

College is the next big step after graduating high school. No matter how prepared you may feel for college, there is no certainty that what you expect will become a reality.

Once I completed my junior year of high school, it was time to go college hunting. Initially, I was petrified like in any other new and unfamiliar situation; however, once I toured my first school in New York, a college called Marist, I was perfectly fine. I began getting into the swing of things and understanding the necessity of an informative campus tour. More so, I began to understand why students are the ones who give the tours as opposed to admission officers. This is mainly due to students already having their own unique experiences at the school; therefore, they are able to bring an individualized perspective to these tours.

Through all of my college tours, there were many things that I ended up noticing that, in essence, allowed me to understand whether or not the school that I was touring was a good fit. During my visits, I also compiled a list of helpful tips for anyone who is interested in applying to college and making their application process relatively smoother:

• When applying to college, it should be first and foremost about what you want and what you are looking for in a school. Although your parents may have a say, at least financially, and you want to go to a certain school with your friends, you should put these sentiments aside during the application process.
• A Jesuit school does not require you to be a Catholic/Christian. All Jesuit schools follow the basic principles of the religion. These types of schools will normally have either a chapel or a prayer room on campus, or in some cases, even both.
• If the decision lies between participating in a campus tour or an information session, I would recommend the information session. These sessions give students exact details, dates, and requirements for the specific program they are applying to. They normally also include a question-and-answer session.
• If a school doesn’t offer internships, you may want to rethink your decision. Internships are extremely beneficial in regards to setting up your life once you complete your college degree. It will not only be able to prepare you for future success, it may even allow you to gain a more prestigious position in a job.
• Location is a key component in the college application process. Although you are going to school for academics, you will need a break at a certain point to hang out with friends or relax by yourself. If the location of your desired university is rural with minimal things to do, it may be hard to find a consistent source of entertainment. Then again, if you value serenity and enjoy the quiet outdoors, a school in the middle of a giant city might not be your happy place. Think about your needs and preferences, and choose a place that suits you both outside and inside the classroom.

The tips listed above are things I personally kept in mind when applying to college. Students—especially Juniors—will be given many talks about college applications, so these tips will hopefully lessen the stress or help you narrow down your list of specific schools. Seniors are currently working on their college applications and have, in many cases, toured numerous campuses throughout the summer.

Hopefully, this year is a success for everyone. Good luck to all the seniors with applications!