Guide: how to make college decisions

by Delaney Warner

Student Life Editor

The following story was written by a student on the staff of The Jaguar Times as part of Hilliard Bradley High School’s Journalism Production course

Lauren Dame (12) views a college acceptance email. Photo by Delaney Warner (12).

After attending multiple college visits, I have learned that my previous beliefs regarding college aren't necessarily true. I have spent countless nights stressing over specifics that end up not even mattering when actually applying for college. Rather it’s stress over applications, choice of college, or even activities, I have been through it all. Here is my guide to navigating the college application process.

First and foremost, it is important to get your application submitted as soon as possible. The Common Application opens August 1st and many public universities reward students for finishing their application that day by making it free to apply there. Furthermore, the quicker you apply the more likely you are to get more scholarship money. David Heath (12) says that “high school emphasizes how hard filling out college applications is, but it’s really not that hard.” Therefore, there is no reason to not fill out the application soon after it becomes available. This is because as applications come in many colleges start giving out scholarships. You want to apply while the school still has scholarships to give. After applying, many colleges begin sending more scholarship opportunities out that students have to apply for. Once your application is out of the way you’ll have more time to commit towards these scholarship applications.

You don’t have to know exactly what you want to major in. After talking to multiple college admission directors, and even a director of career development, incoming freshmen do not need to commit to a major. Many college students change their major two or three times throughout their schooling. Neil Reddy (12) states, “I don’t know my major yet, but that really won’t affect me until my junior year and I think I’ll know by then.” There is nothing wrong with you for not knowing what you want to do with the rest of your life, especially because you’re being asked to make this decision at 18 years old. Embrace the uncertainty and begin exploring different career options, but don’t feel like you have to pick something right now.

When choosing a college don’t only look at their majors, but also activities and clubs they offer at the school. Many schools are pretty similar when it comes to education, or majors offered, but looking into other opportunities the school offers may help you narrow down your decision. For example, I want to continue playing lacrosse in college. There are some schools that I have looked at that offer way more support to student athletes that other schools fail to do. However, at first glance, I would have believed all the colleges were the same in this aspect.

In highschool it is often said that your professors won’t even know your name. That is not the case at all. If you go to a smaller school you will get to know your professors quite well and on a pretty personal level. I think that high schools fail to accurately depict college by relating college solely to larger schools. There are so many colleges out there with very different amounts of students and I can guarantee that there is a college with the right class size for you. Mrs. Rickert, an English teacher, has a son who is currently undergoing the college application process. She says “I think it depends on the size of the college, for example my son at Case Western will get to know his professors really well because it’s smaller.” Mr. Gmerek, a math teacher, believes that to be successful students should “go to class and get help immediately when you don’t understand something.” He adds, “if you wait, it’s too late.” Regardless of school size, if you need help and actively seek it out, you will receive it.

Lastly, be sure to visit your top schools. You learn so much about the schools on these visits and actually being at the school may greatly affect your decision. I have been to schools that look great in pictures, but awful in person. On the contrary, I have been to schools that look great in person, but awful in pictures. You don’t know what you’re getting into by merely looking online, get out there and go check it out.