With many of the early outcomes released and the remaining colleges not delivering news until March or April, the month of February is the calm before the storm. It’s a great opportunity for students take the time to look at the colleges they’ve been admitted to and start to narrow down their possible choices. Many students have shared that being able to take the time now to pause, reflect and think about what initially attracted them to the colleges they’ve been admitted to helps to make the process less overwhelming. They can then use that to evaluate their remaining outcomes and, in many cases, help them know that even if there are colleges they weren’t admitted to, that there are great choices that provide what they’re looking for.
It all starts with knowing the “why” behind their process. From there, it’s easier evaluate what that specifically looks like for them and how to find it.
Students, here are five steps to help do that:
1. Go back to your original criteria.
Look over the things you listed before. On a scale of 1-10, rank each one in terms of importance. Did you want to be close to home? Far away? In a certain city? Did you want a school-spirited college? Small class sizes? Figure out which of these things really matter and why.
2. Revise your list and add in new things that have become important.
Based on the above, create a new list with the items that are 8 and above in terms of importance AND add in new things you’ve discovered. Do you want to attend a college where friends are going? Are huge lecture halls not your thing? Is it important to be near a big city with lots to do? Make sure you add that to your criteria
3. Think about the things you love to do and want to continue.
Are you totally into cross-fit? Do you need like to thrift shop? Are coffee places where you study? Do you like to run or take walks to de-stress? Is playing rugby important? Think about how you spend your time, as well as how you WANT to spend your time when you’re not studying and make a list of those things to make sure they are available at the college and surrounding area.
4. Check out the facilities for your major and resources for academic support.
Sit in on a class, if you can. Talk to the department head about the curriculum and what type of support is available. Check out the art facilities, the Maker Lab, the campus radio /TV station, the internship opportunities, the career center.
5. Define “vibe”
I wish I had a nickel for every student who told that they were looking for a certain “vibe” and they would know it when they saw it. I get it. I feel the same way. There’s that certain “feel” you get when a place feels comfortable and “right”. But the more you’re able to define the specific aspects of “vibe”, the more you’re able to create that at multiple places. Here are a few things to think about:
What are you looking for in terms of vibe?
What are you listening for?
How will you know when you see it? Feel it?
When are some of the things you feel or see that help you to know you’ve found it?
How do you know it’s NOT the vibe? What does that feel like? Look like?
Parents, while you and your student are evaluating all of the above, take time to notice things like where the health facilities are on campus, how close they are to the dorms, what the ratio of staff to students is, what type of mental health resources are available, where the nearest hospital is. Make your own list of things that are important for you to know to have more peace of mind while your student is away at college.
Whether it’s done in person or through a virtual opportunity, this is a great time to evaluate the colleges. It’s a very different experience when the student is able to do from a standpoint of knowing that it’s an actual choice of where they can attend, as opposed to somewhere they “might get in”. The reality of the experience invites a more in-depth analysis of “how do I know I love thee” and helps them count “all the ways” that the university will provide that for them.