Researching Colleges | Recapturing the Vision

Your Dream Schools

In the space below, write down the names of three schools that you would love to see yourself at. Don’t think about your chances of being admitted or whether or not you can afford it. Just write down the names of three dream schools that you would love to attend.

1._________________
2._________________
3._________________

Think about why the colleges you listed above are on your list in the first place. How many of them are there because your friends are attending? There couldn’t be a more wrong way of going about the college admissions process.

There are literally thousands of colleges and universities in the U.S., and many you’ve never even heard of. Chances are there are at least a couple of colleges out there that have everything you are looking for. To figure out where you belong you need to begin with some self-examination.

Defining My Priorities

List 15 things you want in a college.

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List 15 things you do not want in a college.

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Now let’s review the list of dream schools you to which you are applying. Do any of your dream schools qualify for the “things you do not want in a college list”? If so, cross them off now, even if it would make your parents, girlfriend/boyfriend, or best buddy upset. You are probably left with some blank spaces and more than a few questions about the remaining schools on your list. This is where sound research comes in. A huge part of being the best college applicant you can be entails doing your homework about all of the colleges to which you are applying. At the end of the day, every school on your list should be one that you would be happy to attend.