Process
Is there a perfect college? If so, I would like to see it. There are so many colleges nationwide and with so many to choose from and so many students eagerly awaiting their acceptance letters, it makes it difficult to believe that there is one college that can fit the needs of everyone. That is why applying to college is such an important process. College is about being where you can succeed, both in the classroom and the social environment. Applying should not be taken lightly. It is a process that will undoubtedly change the lives of those accepted. Furthermore, those applying to college should approach their application process with an open mind and a hard-working attitude.
Knowing what college is the right one for you is a very stressful question that every student wants to be answered. That is why, “You need to research”, (Groovejob.com 2007). Looking at the websites of the colleges that you want to attend is a great way to get an idea about those schools. The websites give you all the information you need, whether it be for athletics, academics, locations, enrollment, etc. Also, it is important to stay on top of all your applications, “make sure you have all of the necessary forms and information on hand well in advance. This will make it so you have plenty of time to fill out forms, gather information, contact the appropriate people and review your answers before having to drop it in the mailbox” (Submitting Your Student Application for College 2007). Being prepared will pay huge dividends in the future. Those who hesitate are lost. Lastly, in the last stages of preparation before applying, “make sure proofread your college applications” (Submitting Your Student Application for College 2007). It would be a tragedy to be rejected because of a mistake on your application. Besides academics, there are many aspects of a college that must be assessed before your final choice is set in stone. For example, you may need to go over some questions with your family such as, “You may want to get as far away from home as possible, but will you miss having friends and family nearby? Can you afford out-of-state tuition and transportation home during the holidays? If you're from a big city, you may feel cramped by a small town?” (eHow Education Editor 2007). Questions such as these are sometimes more important that the academic aspect in terms of choosing a college. Visiting colleges is a tremendous help in aiding your choice. But it is important that you go on these visits because, “Visiting different colleges will give you a better understanding of which college is right for you” (Independent College Counseling 2006). It makes a significant difference when you are physically at a school rather than reading about through a catalogue or online. The last thing to remember is to get discouraged or down on yourself if you do not get accepted to a certain college, after all, “They are only rejecting a bunch of pieces of paper, not you” (Steinbeck 2002, 228). Patience is a virtue. So my advice over anything is be patient throughout this arduous process. Take your time in choosing which institution is the best one for you and make sure that you do everything that you are supposed to do; do not leave anything out or give a college any unnecessary nuance that would give them a reason to reject you because it could come back to haunt you for the rest of your life. Take this whole process seriously because if you really stop to think about it, college is where your future begins.
Reference List
Independent College Counseling, “High School Checklist for College Admissions,” College Confidence, http://www.collegeconfidence.com/checklists.html#1. E-Campus Tours, “The Campus Visit,” E-Campus Tours. http://www.ecampustours.com/collegeplanning/choosingacollege/thecampusvisit.htm
eHow Education Editor. How to Decide Which College is Right For You. eHow. (2007). http://www.ehow.com/how_138014_decide-which-college.html
Steinbeck, Jacques. 2002. The Gatekeepers: Inside the Admissions Process of a Premier College. New York: Penguin Books. College Board, "Testing Tips," College Board,
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