Imagine you open your closet and have seven shirts that are the same color and style. No variation. No choice. In this thought experiment, how does that make you feel? Limited? Confined? Maybe even unprepared?
Most people want more choices, not less. You want variety. Agency. A chance to make a different wardrobe decision if the weather changes. Surprisingly though, when many students tell you their list of hopeful colleges, the list looks a lot like that closet described above. All the same. No variety. No planning for different types of situations.
Let’s change the trend and build a more varied, balanced college list. Read on for some tips on how to craft a thoughtful list of colleges to explore.
What are my choices?
- Size: We don’t mean acreage. We mean how many students attend the college. Do you have some small, medium, and large colleges on your list?
- Location: Do you have a variety of college settings to consider (urban, suburban, rural)?
- Financial Fit: Ensure you have a balance between colleges with higher tuition rates and those with lower tuition rates.
- Selectivity: You definitely want variety here. If you are considering mostly selective colleges, make sure you add some schools with more open admission policies.
- Other considerations: student life, academic focus and offerings (Liberal Arts, STEM-focused, Art and Design Schools), and public and private institutions.
Who can help you with your college list?
You are not alone! Whether you are the fifth or the first in your family to go to college, there are people and resources to support you. In your high school you could talk to school counselors, teachers, media specialists, coaches, club advisors, career coordinators, and internship supervisors. Outside of school you could talk to your family, work supervisor, community members and faith leaders, current college students, and recent alumni. There are several online mentoring and non-profit platforms that could be beneficial.
What else should I know?
You might hear these three words about your college list: Reach, Match, and Safety. It is wise to listen to your school counselor or family member if they recommend you have a school in each of these categories. These categories refer to a college’s academic profile and if students who are admitted to these schools have grades and classes that look similar to yours. Ask your counselor for help in figuring out these groups. You definitely want some schools that fall in the Match and Safety category (more likely to admit) and a few Reach (less likely to admit).
Why does balance matter?
Why create a balanced college list at all? A balanced list weatherproofs your college search process like a jacket helps you navigate unpredictable weather. You want to open your closet and have what you need. Similarly, in a much more impactful life decision like your college search, set yourself up for success with choices and multiple avenues to explore. There are so many colleges out there, and many might be a great fit for you! Enjoy exploring!