Sophomore Beginning College Interest- Were To Go From Here?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey guys, I am currently a sophomore who has just finished his first semester of the year, which seems to be crucial since I am starting to look more into colleges..</p>

<p>I am currently looking to pursue a career in journalism, so my priorities have been shifted to finding schools that are the best in the career I look to find success in.</p>

<p>At first, Northwestern seemed like my destiny. The Medill school is one of the best in the country, and the area is very nice.</p>

<p>Even though I do like that, I began discussing with my parents regarding area ( what place to live) and I came up with the impression that my best choice for all parties involved would be to attend a college on the eastern coast.</p>

<p>So then, I mostly fell in love with Syracuse. I really got great vibes with that university, even more then NU in some aspects. It's also in driving distance for myself and my parents in case if contact was ever needed.</p>

<p>My goal is to start visiting colleges once I'm a junior( just want to focus on school as a high school sophomore). As of today, here are my likely top choices.</p>

<p>Syracuse- mentioned my love for the university above
Maryland College Park- Love the program they offer,also familiar with area
Boston University- University interests me, not sure how much it fits major
American University- Very good academic program, pretty solid journalism program.</p>

<p>Overall, not much to say. I currently attend a Jesuit high school, which obviously should bring some interest due to knowing the kind of community I'm around.</p>

<p>This includes attending retreats that we have every year, and helping around the community.</p>

<p>I am not the greatest in athletics, but I love sports with a passion. I currently write for the school newspaper, and write for a few known up and coming sports blogs, who said I can always put them on my college resume if needed.</p>

<p>If anyone can give me advice as to where I should turn from here would be appreciated. Whether it's anyone who has experience of applying to these schools, what the demands are, or how I should improve my body of work for colleges, it would all be appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Your academic and extracurricular situation can and will change over the next two years, so it may be difficult to create a perfect list if you are looking at particularly selective schools. However, there are things you can start to think of. I would say start generally and see where it takes you. </p>

<p>What kind of academic environment do you prefer? Do you want to go to a school reputed for being intellectual, pre-professional, or both? Do you want to be a big fish in a small pond or vice versa? Do you want a CORE curriculum (or a set of strict gen-eds) or something much more open?</p>

<p>What kind of social environment suits you? Do you want a small, medium, or large school? Do you think you’ll prefer an LAC or a research university? Do you want a party school, a strictly non-party school, or something in between? Where do you want to live for four years - a rural area, a small town, the suburbs, or in a big city? Do you want a car school or a walk/bike/public transportation school? Would you be satisfied with the commuter school experience?</p>

3

<p>I don’t have any school recommendations for you, but since you’re a sophomore, you might want to look at this tip thread…</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/856855-tips-parents-juniors-younger-students-tips-students-too.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/856855-tips-parents-juniors-younger-students-tips-students-too.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>Thanks for the tips you two… Since I’m early in this type of process, I’m glad to know of these tips, including the thread that was given to me, before I seriously begin visiting colleges.</p>

5

<p>Unless you want to become another self obsessed, neurotic prestige hound that lives and breathes CC 24.7, drives everyone crazy and becomes a total boor to friends and neighbors by the time you are…a second semester Junior, then I strongly suggest you get off this site, forget about college searches for now and concentrate on your friends, family and grades and just being a teenager. Soon enough all the frenzy will envelope you and consume you and your parents and you will wish it never happened. Do yourself a favor, fuhgettaboutit!</p>

<p>As a second semester Junior you will take the SAT and maybe repeat it. Your gpa and class rank will be more solidified and you will have undergone a significant number of teenage change in directions. </p>

<p>This website is full of people with 3,000 postings still obsessed as second semester seniors about minutiae and prestige garbage. I can’t imagine how awful they may become as college roommates to some poor unsuspecting soul, pestered by constant inane data about whether Cal-Berkeley has more NSF members than Princeton or UChicago. PUHLEEEEZE.</p>

<p>Just relax. Enjoy life. Learn about all aspects and angles of life. Become someone outside of your own head, help others, do something for your community or the underprivileged or homeless. You will grow up fast enough.</p>

<p>God bless.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the kind advice man… I’m living life as it is, while still keeping a focus on grades, just figured I’d get some advice here and there.</p>