Finding the Right College for You: College Search Tip #6 (543)

Before you can get into a top college or any college, for that matter, you have to decide where you want to apply. Deciding where to go to college is not easy. Finding the right college for you can be the biggest decision that you and your parents make together.

There are some important factors for you and your parents to consider when doing a college search. Where you apply influences where you get in, and where you go to college can have a big impact on your career and future in general. I have come up with a list of THE most important things to consider when doing your college search. Here is one factor to consider. There are more secrets in my book, The Keys to the CASTLE.

6) Degree of Competitive Reputation/ Prestige

I know that it may sound very elitist, but reputation can be something to consider too. I already discussed how a college’s over all reputation can influence how you select a major and how much freedom you have to explore your academic options while on campus.

A college’s reputation can also influence where you go to grad school and where you get a job. I’ll be honest, if you graduate from a prestigious college; people take you more seriously when you apply to graduate school and for jobs in general.

If you go to a less renowned college or university, then you have to worry more about your GPA because the assumption most people make, whether it is fair or not, is that graduating from a top college says more than a high GPA from a state school. (Also, I experienced, and so did many of my friends at top colleges throughout the US, way less “grade greedy” students obsessed with a mark over what they learned.) I know how that sounds, but that has been my experience. Also, if you go to a competitive college, you become part of a network of competitive, driven folks, and you never know when that will come in handy.

SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK:

A. What have some of your alumni gone on to do after they graduate?

B. Is there an alumni group in my area with members I may contact?

As you may know, conducting a college search is only the first step in the college admissions process. If you want to increase the odds of getting into a top college or your child getting into an Ivy League college, then The Keys to the CASTLE (College Admissions Secrets & Tips to Look Exceptional to admission officers) book will help you. Reading The Keys to the CASTLE book will increase the odds of you getting accepted to your dream college.

Until then, do your homework. Do not be afraid to ask everyone and anyone you know (alumni, Admissions Office Reps, students in college now who attended your high school, siblings of students who are in college now whom you know from your high school or extra-curricular activities, etc.) who might know what you don’t. Also, ask the colleges for brochures, read available books, and check out different websites. And, when it comes right down to it, trust your gut.

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