Your College List

We can provide you with information and guidance that will help you decide the colleges to which you would like to apply. During our time mentoring students, we met with many college admissions representatives. We also have visited many colleges and listened to their admissions talk. In the process, we learned a lot about the different types of programs offered at different universities, including colleges that offer merit aid. At our initial meeting with you, we can talk about what is important to you in a college, and we can make suggestions for you to consider.

Once you take the PSAT, SAT, and/or ACT, you are likely to receive emails from many colleges encouraging you to apply. You also will receive a lot of marketing materials in the mail. Remember, college is big business and they may want you to apply simply to make their statistics look better. Despite how interested a college may seem, don’t base your decision on their perceived interest. Instead, create a list of colleges to which you will apply based on your thoughtful answers to questions like those below.

• Do you know what you want to study at college?
• If so, which colleges offer the type of curriculum for which you are looking?
• Do you want to participate in a sport? If so, at what level do you want to participate? Do you want a Division 1 team? Do you want to receive an athletic scholarship?
• Do you want to go to a big public school or do you think you would prefer a smaller private school?
• Do you like the idea of attending school in an urban environment or do you prefer a more rural campus?
• Do you want to go to a school where most students live on campus all four years?
• Do you want to go to a Top 10 or 20 college?
• Do you want to go to college near home? Do you want to study on the East Coast? Is good weather important to you?
• Do you want to go to a college with competitive athletic teams? With a football team? With a marching band?
• Do you want to go to a school with students from all over the country and world? Or do you prefer to go to a college where most of the students are in-state?
• Are there WUE schools available to you that you should consider?

We highly recommend that you visit as many of the college campuses in which you are interested as possible. You need to see and feel the campuses; hear what the admissions officers have to say; hear what the tour guides say; see the facilities. If possible, visit some colleges prior to your Junior year. It is good to hear what the admissions officers have to say before you embark on your Junior year. It might help motivate you and focus your efforts during this often challenging and definitely important year.

Do your research based on what is important to you. Narrow down your college list. Be ready by August prior to your Senior year to know the colleges to which you likely will apply.