I'm not sure if my first choice is my first choice anymore

<p>Over the summer, I fell in love with Dickinson College. As soon as I started driving through the campus, I had the feeling everyone describes when they have figured out at what school they belong. I went to visit Dickinson again earlier this week, and I was still in love with it during the tour and while talking to current students about their studies and opportunities. I sat in on classes and ate in the cafeteria and had no problems. By the end of the day, I was still very much in love with the school, but I began to second guess myself. Not until this week did I start to find faults in the rural town of Carlisle or that the college is only a 45 minute (30 if you like to push speed limits) drive from my front door. I went there planning on applying ED, but I am not sure if I want to make that commitment anymore because I really like options. </p>

<p>I also do not know what to do if I am not applying ED because I was planning to for so long. Most of the colleges I toured were in the counties surrounding my own, and they were all really similar to Dickinson in their goals and achievements as LACs. Should I try to tour colleges farther away and in more urban areas because I think that is what I want? Or if I do not have time to tour, should I apply now and tour later? I am just very unsure about everything after touring Dickinson for the second time, mostly because of the location of the campus.</p>

<p>No one on CC can tell you which school is the best fit for you, but if you have doubts about Dickinson, then simply apply RD along with your other choices. It will give you time to visit and revisit - including participating in accepted student programs in April. You are better off changing your admissions plan than ending up at a school and regretting your choice. </p>

<p>Yes, try to tour colleges further away, but don’t apply ED to Dickinson. </p>

<p>Maybe some of the other colleges would have ED2, or even ED due November 15 (plenty of time LOL).</p>

<p>If you don’t have time to tour, apply RD to any schools that interest you, and sort it out later. </p>

<p>I have family in and near Carlisle, so I know exactly what you mean about the town and the area. If you are starting to think that you’d like to be in or near a bigger city, why not plan a Saturday road trip to visit Goucher and Towson U just north of Baltimore? If you have a bit more time, pick out an LAC and a university to visit in the Philly area, and go there for a weekend. </p>

<p>Invest just a day or two in this, and see whether or not you really do want to change your list.</p>