<p>College list: Where could the student get in? Does it have the desired major? Where is the school located? Is it possible to drive there in a day? Is the college conservative/liberal? Will the student get merit aid?</p>
<p>The Princeston Review book is a good starting point, and reading about the colleges on cc has been invaluable.</p>
<p>The Ace is Back: I'll tell you one thing -- for the most part, you won't notice who's from where, so geographic diversity goes down the drain when you actually attend. And on top of that, drawing from all over California lends as much diversity as drawing from the entire East Coast would at Harvard; California's a big state, and any southern California person who's been to northern California will tell you that they're completely different (hence why many nor Cal students go to UCLA, and so Cal students go to Berkeley =p).</p>
<p>Just throwing that out there.</p>
<p>Ricegal, thanks I'll look into Rugg's Recommendations. I didn't even think of asking people who're like me. That's a great idea.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips Calcruzer. To be honest, I didn't even think about the location aspect. That was a great one. ;)</p>
<p>CC forums are full of students complaining that they can't afford to go to their dream college where they were accepted because of financial issues. Talk to your parents about what your financial situation is: How much are they willing to pay? How much do you have saved up? Don't count entirely on some sort of merit or need based aid to fund you. Research and keep talking.</p>
<p>csleslie51, I calculated my EFC using CCs Calculator and it's $2. I guess money would play a role in it too!</p>
<p>I think one of the most important factors is the "fit," especially at a small liberal arts college. At a large university, it's not as important, because one is bound to fit in somewhere.</p>
<p>I'll definitely be focusing on the "fit" aspect strongly. Thanks!</p>
<p>No need to investigate a big long list of schools; just go where your girlfriend/ boyfriend is going. Most people keep going out with their high school romance all through college.</p>
<p>Sorry, couldn't resist that one.</p>
<p>This Post really sets you up for people who have too little work and too much self-proclaimed knowledge about the subject. So, here are my $.02.</p>
<p>MYTH: The best college on the lists is best for you.
RULE: You will have to fit into the school -- and finding that "fit" is the hard part of the process.</p>
<p>MYTH: I do well so I should get into the better schools.
RULE: Valedictorians and their academic peers are commonly rejected by great as well as good schools. This is partly because of "fit." This is partly because of "yield." This is partly because it is a fact that your strengths do not meet the "renaissance" nature of the school's needs -- e.g. they need an oboe player so do not be upset that an oboe player with lesser grades and SAT scores gets in while you are flat out rejected.</p>
<p>MYTH: I will find the best known schools to deliver the best education.
RULE: Ivies and better known large univeristies farm out to TA's the first few levels of undergraduate curriculum. LAC's cannot afford this practice. Hence, the first few years are probably better at LAC's and the last two years are arguable better at better known universities.</p>
<p>MYTH: The best known schools are the BEST schools.
RULE: I love this saying -- "The best schools of tomorrow are the little known schools of today." Why? Because, until these gems are known, they are not admission-prohibitive. But, they will get there. For example -- Carleton or Grinnell were not difficult in the 1960's or 1970's. They were selected -- not selective. I am not sure either school has a better teaching staff than it did. But, Carleton is very hard to get into today and Grinnell is not far behind. That is unfortunate as that not-impossible-to-get-into character of the school basically would dissuade academic elitism by the student body. I can only hope the same continues in their future. </p>
<p>MYTH: What is good for the majority is good for me.
RULE: Many people would die to go to one of the beloved Ivies, or Stanford etc. But, your personality may not fit there. You may be an absolute geek and fit perfectly at one of the top technological schools, or even a lesser tech school. This is more argument about the importance of "fit."</p>
<p>MYTH: If I do not get into my choice school, I will be forever unhappy.
RULE:There are probably 2000 schools to choose from. About 450 are really great schools and another 1000 are good enough for YOU. And, even the pickiest 18 year old would probably be delighted to attend no less than 20 of the schools. So find your 20, 30, 40.</p>
<p>Now, how do you find those schools?</p>
<p>Start with numbrs -- which schools are basically housing kids with your kinds of numbers -- that should bring about 40-50 schools to your list.</p>
<p>Read about the schools. Fiskes is okay, but a little dry. Princeton has neat lists and although stereotypical, they are pretty accurate. And, they each interview kids. I am not a big fan of College ******, and it is expensive. US News provides basically numbers -- not identical to Fiske's or Princeton. "Realy Cool Colleges" is an aid, but pull it from the library shelf and save yourself the money. If you want to read about the process, pull out *A Is for Admission: The Insider's Guide to Getting into the Ivy League and Other Top Colleges by Michele A. Hernandez. If you want to read about the strength of the LAC's pull out Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges*by Loren Pope or *The College Admissions Mystique by Bill Mayher or Looking beyond the Ivy League: Finding the College That's Right for You by Loren Pope.</p>
<p>Stay away from the "How To" books. Either you got the numbers and the oboe, or you don't. The little details will not mean that much, and the expense of buying How To books is without excuse. And, taking the time to read those books is even more inexcusable.</p>
<p>Once, you have broken the 40 down to 20, mark your favorite 10. And, then pray for money. You will need to visit the smaller campuses if you included them. Most big campuses are . . . big. And, that means Greek parties and large classrooms and probably more fun than you could ever imagine. Smaller schools mean less diversity, more intense studies, and something of a personality of the school -- for better or worse. Usually, within a nanosecond, you will know if the small school's personality is a "fit" or not. If not, run. Motor like Forrest Gump. If it is a fit, pull out the number 2 pencil and mark it in. For a fit of a small school is a great thing. It is really like belonging to a 2000 person fraternity/sorority.</p>
<p>Once, that is done -- know one thing. Whoever receives your Common Application is good enough for you. Yes, you have a priority. But, the priority is not dispositive of the outcome. If you get rejected from all but the school that you placed on the bottom rung, you SHOULD still be ecstatic. Because you WANTED to go there too. And, if you are rejected by all your schools, look yourself in the mirror and say one of two things: (a) was I reasonable in my choices or (b) did I just get very unlucky. It probably is the latter if you did the homework responsibly. But, this is a RARE event. So do not allow ulcers to affect your young body and mind. There is no armageddon-like horror coming in April.</p>
<p>Good luck. And as Mr. Mayher says in his book -- this coming Thanksgiving you will not be seated in the kitchen with other kids. Oh no. Instead, you will be seated with the grown ups and everyone will be asking you about which colleges you are applying to and then they will tell you things about schools they attended -- which are probably 30-40 years removed from reality (those 8 tracks really played beautiful music in our hallways). That dinner will be your armageddon.</p>
<p>Wow! Thanks for the informative post Father of the Boarder.</p>
<p>I agree w/ ^. Excellent post.</p>
<p>I used a completely different tactic than many here selected. I chose schools for my list based on, yes, their selectivity and ranking. They had in common strong academics, size (with one exception), cost, and strong departments in my interests, but not much else.</p>
<p>As to "character" and "fit," I decided to leave that until after I applied and found out where I got in. In the end, that was a smart decision for me. I was able to compare the "characters" of each school and found the one I thought would suit me best overall. It was clear that all would provide me with the same education, and they all would cost the same. The difference was fit.</p>
<p>Eventually, all these factors will matter. I think as long as you have a range for selectivity, and remember your own ability to pay, you can choose very different schools (in "feel," that is) in the beginning and choose between them later, or choose schools that all feel the same and go to the most selective / cheapest / "best" you're accepted to. Either way, you should end up happy, if all factors are considered at some point. :)</p>
<p>extensive research on my specific major since 6th grade. basically unofficially declared my major since 6th grade. and still plan on pursuing that same major today!</p>
<p>I keep on hearing, and reading in the responses, that I should apply to place where I can get in. HOw do I know what colleges I can get into?</p>
<p>First, you have to assess your strengths and weaknesses, and go beyond somewhat what you think you are capable of. What I mean is, if you have a 2000 SAT, 3.8+ UW gpa, blah blah, you are capable of maybe getting into Bucknell. But, you could always stretch it and apply to Brown. </p>
<p>This is a first and a must (at least with me it was.)</p>
<p>Next, after establishing your range, search for colleges eitehr by using US News (and yes for me rankings mattered at first...then slowly i started to not care.) You could ask around to where people went, if it was fun, or go to: <a href="http://www.studentsreview.com%5B/url%5D">www.studentsreview.com</a>
This is a great website that shows admissions factors and stuff. also princetonreview.com is excellent!</p>
<p>I have to disagree with the previous poster. Safety schools, while pooh-poohed often times, ACTUALLY ARE a good option. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE thaty ou are going to get into any hard schools you apply to. ever. my friends applied to every ivy, every "almost" ivy (like NU and cmu) ... and got into only harvard and tulane. yes, i know, harvard is impossible to get itno, but still...there was such a good chance they would not have gotten into the school, so you should always have backup. Without a safety net, you risk falling to the ground and dying. sort of.</p>
<p>Third, what you might consider doing is counseling. I don't prsonally recommend it, but it is good for poeple wanting to get into ivy league schools. IT costs a SHI*LOAD of money, so be careful!</p>
<p>Ok, I might stop numbering haha. After you compile some prospective schools, think of your major: If you don't have a major in mind, then don't read ahead. IF you do, read further :P: If you want to be a creative writing major, say, find schools that are deeply rooted in arts or at least have a great creative writing program. If you want to be a music major (like me,) ignore all rankings (which i didn't do..HAHA) and search what the best music schools are. If you want to go into engineering...etc. </p>
<p>Also, you have to trust your heart. NO SCHOOL is exactly as it appears on paper: For instance, i toured Yale because well i just felt like it because everybody told me it would be a good idea. Loved the architecture, hated the people, arrogant, bit*hes , mean...i did not like it whatsoever. But, I toured Harvard for fun and i found the people to be very nice and courteous. So, stepping foot on a campus plays a HUMONGOUS part in choosing a college. No matter how good a school's ranking is, how you feel is probably most important. Who wants to be miserable on campus? I also went to Brandeis, which i was xtremely excited to tour. it was THE ugliest campus i have ever seen. total turn off. never.</p>
<p>Go with the flow, and never second guess yoruself. But, reach further because if you do end up getting into schools you thought you wouldn't be able to (like me and Tulane,) you will feel so much better about your accomplishments and your strength! Good luck to you! I understand it is stressful.</p>
<p>Jeremy, I think CalCruzer was just kidding when he said that about safety schools. The thing is I can't afford counseling...but I'm not aiming for Ivies anyway.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>my daughter went to college board search engine, plugged in her preferences and info, i.e. SAT, size, location etc. and started with the colleges that came up in the search. I think it was a good starting point.</p>
<p>Thanks janet, I'll use College Board's Search Engine around Junior Year (once I have a more solid understanding of my Stats)</p>
<p>I would have hoped by now that everyone would have realized that my list was basically a list of what "NOT" to do. (I was trying to inject a little lighthearted humor into the thread).</p>
<p>IMHO, safety schools are an absolute must, as are picking a school based upon your own interests (not entirely based upon your parents' interests or those of neighbors or friends), a school that matches you, one you can afford, and one where you can meet new people and also build networks to help you later in your career.</p>