College is the most pressing topic on most seniors’ minds right now. Although students might feel pressured to apply to as many colleges as possible, this choice can prove to be stress-inducing.
“Do your research,” Abigail Blankenship (12) said. “That’s also something I had to learn because what you want to major in and what you want to do for the rest of your life, you basically have to decide in one year.”
Knowing your potential major or career interest can narrow down a list of schools and help in the search to find which schools are the best fit. Although some students tend to believe more is better, having a select number of colleges that fit your needs will simplify decision making.
“I’m keeping it really narrow because also you’re going to have to make a decision, and it’s going to make it so much simpler if you have less choices,” Thomas added.
Choosing less schools to apply to also is more wallet-friendly—many colleges require a nonrefundable application fee, which could potentially be a financial burden.
“You have to pay all those application fees, and that’s too much,” Rachel Thomas (12) said.
Counselors suggest applying to multiple types of schools: “We always want you to have a reach school, especially if it’s a school that’s in reach. Some people say, well, it’s my reach school, but you can’t even grab it. With the reach, we want you to be able to grab it, hold on for a minute, and then if you have to let it go, then you have to let it go,” Heather Heaston, one of White Station’s counselors, said.
She suggests applying to one reach and two safe schools. Heaston values the importance of having a dream school, but reality should play the bigger part in college decisions.
College is not always about the numbers. It is about knowing the facts, talking to a counselor and most importantly, it is about you.