<p>When I first started high school, I fell in love with a few colleges. Then those loves changed to other colleges as I figured out what I wanted to major in, which is journalism. I thought a few top journalism schools were the places I wanted to go. I came very close to EDing at one school. Then, as it dawned me that I wouldn't do well academically at these top schools, my favorites changed to this one school that is still well known, but not so much for journalism. </p>
<p>Now, last night I went out to dinner with my family and some neighbors. One of them asked me what is my top choice. I didn't have an answer. </p>
<p>I don't know why I just don't have a favorite college. It's weird. I've gotten into 5 schools already for EA and I did all my apps for RD except for one (Jan. 10 deadline, but I'm almost done.) Some are old favorites, others more recent. Most of them are in the top 50 or so. The school I almost ED at was my true love and one of the very best in journalism and in general, but I got nervous about doing well there, so I applied RD instead. </p>
<p>Is it normal not to have a top choice? That reach school you dream about getting into, and when you do, you know all your hard work has paid off? Now I'm just "meh" about the college process. It might have to do with the fact that I watched my two older siblings go through it, so it's getting old already. Or maybe it's because I'm a bit burnt out from my overly competitive high school and feel like I just never was a normal teenager. Or it's something else. I don't know.</p>
<p>I'm happy with the acceptances I got. But the novelty has worn off. Has anyone else felt this way with when they were a senior?</p>
<p>Don’t worry. I’m in the same situation right now…applying to 12 different schools bc I don’t have a top choice. And I know it gets really frustrating and awkward when people/family ask where are you going. This is the first time my family is going through this process as I have no siblings and my parents didnt go to college here. But, just try to look on the bright side of the long process—you’ll be the one picking out which college you want to attend by comparing all the factors of each school after you’ve heard back from all of them…for me it’s kinda annoying to have to wait for a lot of them to come out in April. It’s kinda of surprising you didn’t ED at that one school bc it sounded like you liked it a lot and just really safeguarded yourself…but what’s done is done at least you applied regular. So don’t sweat it too much the long process will be soon over and will be much worth it. Were all meant to be somewhere.</p>
<p>Same here, I don’t have a favorite/top school I want to go to and I already got into 4 of my EA schools… Gotta really start making some decisions and more visits to the campus’ </p>
<p>I definitely know what you’re going through! I’ve been accepted to four schools so far and I love them all dearly haha I wish I could combine pieces of them. I found this thread interesting because I actually want to do journalism as well. Where all have you looked/gotten into? I’ve gotten into unc UGA UVA and Mizzou and applied to northwestern. All those schools (except UVA who doesn’t have the program) have wonderful schools. Honestly I have been feeling so in love with unc that I might not even wait to hear back from northwestern. It’s hard though. How do you know when you’ve made that decision to commit to a college? I don’t want to commit just because I’m sick of waiting and all my friends are enrolling at chapel hill.</p>
<p>Oh so I just realized your post is from march. Where did you decide to go, yearbookstalker?</p>
<p>Good news: No chance of being crushed if you don’t get into your dream school.</p>
<p>Bad news: It may be tougher to decide which school to choose.</p>
<p>I had a first choice school, got in, and went elsewhere. I think having a “dream school” is kind of silly. It’s really hard to know exactly where you want to go until after those decisions start coming in. Once I got into my “dream school”, I realized it was actually a terrible fit for me.</p>
<p>Maybe you need more time at your current choices. Some schools let you do overnights, attend classes and talk with students.</p>
<p>It’s not important to have a single dream school but you need a basis for finding a fit. What do your parents who know you think is he best fit for you?</p>
<p>Small school vs big school, public vs private, urban vs suburban, etc. Unless you are the ultimate chameleon, a couple of schools should rise to the surface over others.</p>
<p>I never had a top choice and didn’t decide until a week before the acceptance deadline. I’m very happy with my decision and love my school. So don’t freak out about it, you’ll have an answer when the time comes.</p>
<p>Pick a good range of schools where you think you’ll be happy (like the environment, location, personality of student body, distance from home, things to do) and has a strong program in your intended major, or any other major/minor you would reasonably be interested in.</p>
<p>Make sure you have reaches, matches, and safeties.</p>
<p>When decisions come, you won’t be devastated if you don’t get into a certain school, and will be able to appreciate the advantages of all the schools. </p>
<p>The only downside to this is it can become difficult to choose between schools, and you may feel a little bit of what-if? syndrome.</p>