How do I pick colleges to apply to?

Answer 1

In addition to the considerations already mentioned, you'll want to make sure that you're applying to schools with a range of selectivity. I'd start by finding some schools that admit most of their applicants, especially students with similar GPAs to you. (You can also consider submitting test scores, if they will help your application). You'll want to ensure that these likely schools are also affordable for you--there are ways of getting cost estimates specific to your situation, even before you apply. And of course you'll want them to be places you would happily attend! Once you've picked some of those, you could start to look at more selective schools, knowing that they'll be more difficult to get into, but that you'll have your bases covered. Do your homework, researching programs of interest to you, then make your case in your application about why you would be a great fit. Good luck!

Answer 2

There are several factors to take into careful consideration when deciding which colleges and universities you wish to apply to and ultimately attend if you receive admission to them:

(in no particular order)

*What do you want to major in when you go to college?

This will help guide you to select colleges that offer your major (or one like it) and may even be renowned for offering good courses and degrees to go along with it. If you don't yet know what you want to major in, you can always go in to any college as a Freshman Undeclared and take a variety of general education course requirements throughout your inaugural year of college that may ultimately sway your opinion one way or another when it comes to you deciding what you ultimately wish to pursue academically and professionally from that point forward.

*Where do you want to go to college--geographically?

Do you want to stay close to home and stay within a community that you are quite familiar with culturally and otherwise when you go to college? Or do you want to move far away and get a new taste of life and scenery for your growing academic studies accordingly?

*How much does a given college or university cost?

Although money should never be a/the reason to attend or not attend a certain college or university, and there are always (or usually) financial aid options available to the masses, the almighty dollar can often dictate one's financial affordability when it comes to paying tuition for every year, semester, trimester, and course completed from beginning to end. So make sure that the colleges you want to attend are also within your budget!

*Do any of my friends and/or did any of my family attend this college or university I am interested in?

While this factor doesn't have as much impact as one might think, sometimes individuals and their families want to keep a rich, long-lasting tradition alive when it comes to members of the next generation of their lineage selecting which colleges to go to to pursue their dreams moving forward. And sometimes, a school may recognize your family name and possibly prioritize your application when it comes to your receiving admission thereto accordingly.

*Track records of success on an individual college/university's part:

We have all heard of the ivy league institutions, as well as other schools that are world renowned for their high standards of academic rigor and the alumni they have in turn produced who have gone on to do tremendous things for the world. So although those factors can often be enticing when selecting which schools you want to apply to, make sure that other more important factors (namely those listed and described in detail above) are taken into account first and foremost before you decide to embark on a journey that you may not yet be ready for.

Good luck on the college search! Feel free to let me know if you would like further assistance from me as a tutor throughout the process!