<p>I've started looking at different colleges recently. However, I got very confused in the process. I'm not sure how to go about looking at different schools. I've narrowed it down geographically (Mid-Atlantic, New England area, mostly, plus maybe California).. but after that, I'm completely lost.
Any help would be appreciated.</p>
<p>You're a junior and haven't taken the SATs, but your GPA of 3.8 suggests is pretty strong. You'll have your PSAT score, so if you post that, I would have an idea of where you'll be competitive.</p>
<p>This is my PSAT score:
Critical Reading: 66
Math: 72
Writing: 65</p>
<p>That's an overall score of 203 (or a 2030).</p>
<p>You will find schools in each region that will serve your needs. Try to focus on size and also interest..say LAC or research. There are many things that vary amongst schools and you will need to research some schools to find out what interests you. Not all of picking a school is about getting in.</p>
<p>Well, I am also looking by interest. I plan to pursue communications.. journalism. So, that's also a factor.</p>
<p>What you say is true. A student can pick by many differing criteria. Many students change majors and so you might have folks tell you not too focus to much on the department. Have fun looking....there sure are lots of schools.</p>
<p>Keep also in mind that size can be a factor. Think about if you want a small college like an LAC or big universities, and if you prefer colleges that are in a rural location or suburban or urban. Try and see if you want diversity in campus as well.</p>
<p>I definitely want diversity.. and also co-ed. I'm pretty open as to size right now, but I'd like to be near a city.. such as NYC, DC, or Boston..
Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Emerson in Boston is one to look at. Obviously NYU in NYC.</p>
<p>Okay I'm biased here just cause I am so into this university when I found out about it. When you mention journalism and communications, I thought about Northeastern University. Boston University could work also, but check them out (they're both near a city). Just my 2 cents =).</p>
<p>BU, GW, NYU, USC, UCLA, Miami, UCSB</p>
<p>I agree with Hazmat -- begin by thinking more about who you are and what you would like your college experience to be like before focusing in on the major. I say this as someone who majored in journalism and who has been a practicing journalist for many years. </p>
<p>I'm not saying you shouldn't eventually weigh options for a particular major, but if you start there without first considering other factors you may lfind yourself locked into schools that you wouldn't be happy at. There are, after all, many schools which offer journalism majors (and, in fact, you don't HAVE to major in journalism to have a career in journalism), and MOST students change their major at least once before they graduate so focus on figuring out which types of schools are going to fit you first.</p>
<p>Here is the list of questions that I ask students I work with when they are just beginning the search process - you may not know the answers to all of them, but spending the time up front to think about which type of schools might be right for you will pay off in the long run much more than jumping right in and looking for schools that offer a certain major. </p>
<p>-- How would you describe yourself? How would your friends describe you? What type of people do you hang around with, or wish you did, in high school? Do you want your college experience to put you in the same type of environment or a different environment? </p>
<p>-- Picture yourself at college two years from now. It's Thursday night. How do you see yourself spending the weekend?</p>
<p>-- What have been your favorite learning experiences in high school? Why? Are you the type of person who learns best in smaller discussion based classes, classes where you're asked to work independently, or larger classes where you can remain somewhat anonymous?</p>
<p>-- Be honest: How assertive are you about finding help when you have a problem at school? Are you the type of person who doesn't mind bureacracy at school or does it drive you crazy? Are you the type of person who goes out of their way to speak up when you feel you've been wronged at school or need help or are you the type of person who prefers to wait until teachers approach you ---in other words, how independent are you when it comes to getting the support and services you need? </p>
<p>-- Have you talked to your family about what they can realistically pay for your education? If you expect to apply for financial aid, have you sat down with your parents and had them use one of the online calculators to get an idea of what your family's estimated financial contribution (EFC) might be? What are the financial limitations you must work within?</p>
<p>--Visit schools near you: a large public university, a small liberal arts college, and a private university for starters. These don't have to be the schools you'll apply to --- you're just trying to get a sense of which each has to offer. When you visit, pay attention to how students are interacting, try to arrange to sit in on a few classes, spend some time in the student union and walking around the surrounding area. What do you like and dislike about each type of school? Which one seems most exciting and welcoming to you?</p>
<p>--Are there any parts of the country you absolutely would not consider? Why? Are there any parts of the country you've secretly wondered about living in? Why?</p>
<p>--How do you feel about drinking and drugs, Fraternities and sororities, nerdy types, preppy types, artsy types, wealthy kids who show off what they own? Do you care about racial and economic diversity? What characteristics should your "ideal" student body have in order to make you feel like you belong?</p>
<p>--Do you have any dreams about things you'd like to do in college? Study abroad? Internships? Take classes in some wild area?</p>
<p>Once you have thought about the type of schools that might work for you, you can then move on to developing a list of schools that fit, and narrowing them down by your prospective major(s). </p>
<p>Feel free to PM me after you've thought about most of these questions and I'll be happy to give you some suggestions of schools to check out. Good luck!</p>
<p>Buy 2 college guide books and just start skimming through them and finding ones you MIGHT be interested in, learning about schools, etc. Buy one such as Princeton Review as more of a "dictionary" and then one such as one by Yale Daily News for the "scoop."</p>