<p>As a current college freshman, here’s some advice on choosing a college:</p>
<li><p>Make sure you can picture yourself at a particular college</p></li>
<li><p>Check if the college has the “it” factor, or basically are you awed by the campus?</p></li>
<li><p>Check if your possible major is offered there</p></li>
<li><p>Seriously think about your possible college choices </p></li>
<li><p>Finally, write down more than 20 colleges to apply, then narrow them down by interest</p></li>
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<p>Also, in my experience as a current freshman, I can tell you that I would have liked this wake up call. I should have chosen a college by interest instead of rank alone. I picture myself at a college other than my own everyday. </p>
<p>Follow your intuition and mind.</p>
<p>great tips. What dont you like about your current college?</p>
<p>Berkeley is definitely the top public school in the nation, but part of me just doesn't like it. I wanted to go to the east coast for college, particularly Princeton and Brown. I got into NYU, but I realized that i would lose a $10,000 scholarship if I changed colleges. Thus, I chose Berkeley.</p>
<p>Academically, the college is strong, but I'm just plainly unhappy here. The atmosphere is too different and my intuition doesn't say "yes" the same way as I did when I visited and saw the east coast colleges online. I just wanted something different.</p>
<p>I was born and raised in CA, so of course, I want a change. I want a new beginning. That's why I might transfer for my sophomore year and I'm giving this advice to everyone here.</p>
<p>I don't want anyone else to feel that same agonizing regret I feel. I want to pass this knowledge onto future college applicants.</p>
<p>What colleges are everyone considering?</p>
<p>Clemson, Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech</p>
<p>There are plenty of colleges in the East Coast. Does it have to be Princeton, Brown, or Harvard?</p>
<p>No. I'm aiming for those colleges for grad school (although, i might apply to Brown, also).</p>
<p>I didn't choose NYU this past spring because I would lose a $10,000 scholarship through Steinhardt if I wanted to change colleges in NYU. I wanted to switch to the College of Arts and Science. Now, I somewhat regret that decision.</p>
<p>If anyone has questions about choosing a college, post them here.</p>
<p>Make sure you choose a college that is the right fit for you. I can't emphasize the word "fit" enough.</p>