Section I: Key Takeaways
Know What's Out There
“My idea of good company...is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation...' 'You are mistaken,' said he gently, 'that is not good company, that is the best.”
Jane Austen
Applicants have many types of institutions from which to choose. They stand a good chance of finding what suits them by knowing all their options.
Some options include:
- public and private schools
- liberal arts colleges
- small and large universities
- technical schools
These simple categories are a good place for students to start researching the right fit for them. Eventually, they can discover for themselves what is available to them.
Even if students already have an idea about what their academic interests are when they initiate their college search, diving into all the possibilities will help them become well-informed “consumers” of their college education.
Applying to a large number of schools can be time-consuming and expensive, and it may not increase an applicant's chances of acceptance. By carefully selecting a smaller number of schools that are a good fit for their interests and abilities, applicants can increase their chances of acceptance and reduce the stress of the application process.
The college admissions process can be emotionally taxing. This is, perhaps, especially for students who invest a lot of time and effort into their applications. Receiving rejection letters or being waitlisted can be disappointing and demoralizing. Nevertheless, starting early, asking questions, taking a step-by-step approach, and applying to intentionally and carefully selected schools can ultimately help students to maximize their college application process.
It is vital for students to know what colleges exist. It is also important that they understand the different types, including what it is that makes them different.
