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College advising

Making the College List

Making a good and realistic list of colleges to apply to is not as easy as it sounds! The parents have opinions. The teachers and advisers have ideas. Uncle Billy has his favorites. And, of course, the student… Where does the list start and where should it end? We all know that 8-10 schools is a good target for applications, but with all these voices in the picture, some students have trouble bringing the list down from 15 or more.

Everyone in the student’s life wants to have a say on where they think a student will be happy in college, but the final say should come from the student. Let’s look at where the best information comes from for the best of all possible college lists. Sketch out a spreadsheet; pencil in a few categories and create a picture of your list. Your list should include colleges in each of these categories:

· From Your Dreams: We are in the business of “hopes and dreams.” Write down five favorites now. We’ll get to reality later in the list. These schools can be on the list because of major interest, location, or because of what you’ve heard. Be sure to educate yourself first, though. Use your imagination and resources to include schools that no one else has thought of—The University of St. Andrews? Sure, why not speak with a brogue!

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· From Your Parents: Your parents know you best. They know your study habits and your attachments. They want you to be happy, but they also know the financial picture. While we often find merit scholarships for students who want a more expensive college, parents often start with financial safety as a top priority. Write down their three favorites for you.

· From People You Respect: Sometimes a favorite teacher knows you well enough to make a suggestion that will work. Sometimes a coach or music teacher can help. They might also have stories of schools that didn’t work for a student just like you. Keep track of what people say is “all wrong” for you. The people you respect will likely feel the same about you.

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· From Relatives: We’ve heard of more than one success coming from an insistent grandfather who went to school many, many years ago, but still knows what’s best. I remember one saying to our client, “You need a large, research institution.” That opinion mattered a lot to that family and it turned out that Grandpa’s advice matched all the criteria on the student’s list.

Next, to finalize and reduce your list, follow these steps:

· Make a Master List: Write each college in a box under the right category. Some colleges might appear multiple times, some only once. As you write down the college name, give it a number or a mark of some kind.

· Research and Be Realistic: Once you have the “everything anyone wants” list complete, start looking up each college. By going to College Data.com you can get a few stats together. You’ll see if your numbers fit the profile of a student from that school. At College Data.com you can also watch a few short videos on each college. Cross off colleges that don’t seem right. Follow with a visit to your favorite schools and continue the process until you’re sure that any college on your final list will work for you and your family.

· Check the application requirements: It’s amazing how many students decide not to apply to a school because the application (or supplement) is overwhelming. Take a look on Common App before finalizing your list.

--All the best for a successful college list from www.PerfectFitCollege.Net

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