Reflections on the college process

College Search & Selection
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<p>I'd like to offer my reflections on the college process so far for underclassman, and I'd also like to receive some reflections from others.</p>

<p>To all you sophomores and juniors out there, definitely research! Just nose around college confidential and find out info. Keep logs of different schools. Show interest and get on the mailing list of schools you like. Another good site is princetonreview.com. Look for the "students say" section for each school. Online, studentsreview.com and campusdirt.com help for an overall feel, but don't take everything from those sites too seriously. Book wise, start out with the Fiske Guide to Colleges and see what schools seem neat in there, though realize that there are many other schools not listed in that book. Think about what you want in a college and look for schools that apply to your wants. As you begin to narrow down your search, look for books like "The Students Guide to College" which is something i recently found and think is really good and the College ******* books, which also offer a preview of some info online. I found all of these books at my library and that definitely saved me money. Remember to take notes from these books so you don't have to worry about getting them out again! If you can't visit colleges, go to a site like webshots.com and search for pictures from the school you are interested in. I have found tons of images of campuses, many from other student's college tours, on there. And also get to know your counselor. That will be helpful!</p>

<p>OK, now I'm looking for some advice. I have been having a lot of trouble with my final list. It was really general, and so I cut it down a lot. Now I just keep cutting schools. I feel as if I'm starting to do the narrowing down that should happen in the spring when i get accepted. Though I still have about 9 on my list, I could probably cut down more and really, out of all the schools on my list there are only about 4 i really see myself at, i just am being safe. I'm just scared that several i've cut off I may have cut off for the wrong reasons and I'm scared that I'll regret my decisions. I just have some schools I'm not sure about, but I feel as if I can never be sure about them until I visit them, and that won't happen unless I get accepted. What should I do? Should I add more to my list? Should I keep it where it is and not worry that some schools on my list I don't think I may like as much? Are there any other ways for really learning if a school is right for you other than visiting and reading about them - should I just keep asking tons of questions on CC? Thanks for any help!</p>

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<p>Hmm, it gave stars to the one book name, it is College P r o w l e r</p>

3

<p>estar, I don't know your profile or your list so this is a general rather than a specific response. Nine applications is not too many as long as you have at least one "sure bet." If you REALLY like 4 out of 9 and sort of like the others, then you're doing okay. Now, if one of the 4 really's is also your safety, you're in very good shape!</p>

<p>You will never really, truly, absolutely know if a college is for you until you are a student. Even then there will be things you like, things you love, and things -- well, that could be better. Finding a college is not a quest for perfection. It's a quest for a good fit at which you have a reasonable chance. </p>

<p>It sounds as if you're doing all the right things. Personally, I'm of the more is better school. If you're applying to selective schools and you're not able to visit until after the acceptances come in, I'd consider upping your list to 12 or so.</p>

4

<p>9 is definitely fine...especially if it's structured as 3 reach schools, 3 match schools, and 3 safeties. It also depends upon how many of your schools use the common app...if you spread yourself too thin doing too many individual applications, you may not be able to do them all justice.</p>