College Admissions Advice: You Can’t Believe Everything You Hear

High school seniors starting the college application process know this all too well: college advice comes from everywhere. Teachers, counselors, friends, family members, and even strangers all have something to say about what you should do to get into college. And while some of this advice is helpful, a lot of it is outdated or simply not true. You simply cannot believe everything you hear.

So, how can you sort through all of the college advice out there and figure out what’s actually worth following? Here are a few tips:

Think For Yourself

We love working with the whole family toward the goals of the student but we also advocate for decision-making by the student. College is often that threshold into adulthood and a BIG proponent of adulthood is making decisions on your own. While you may feel compelled to take the advice of those around you, it’s good to tune into your own intuition when making decisions on where to apply.

At the end of the day, you know yourself better than anyone else. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. The college admissions process is stressful enough without making things harder for yourself.

Do Your Own Research

There’s a lot of information out there, and it can be overwhelming. But if you take the time to read up on the college admissions process, you’ll be better prepared to make decisions about your own application. A few resources we recommend to students:

° School websites
° Brochures and college newspapers
° Current students and alumni
° College rankings
° Recent National Survey of Student Engagement

As you do your research, take note of what you find most important in a college. Here are some factors to consider:

° Location: Do you want to stay close to home or explore a new part of the country?
° Size: Do you prefer a large university or a smaller college?
° Program offerings: What type of degree do you want to pursue? Does the school have your desired program?
° Extracurricular activities: What kind of extracurricular activities are you interested in? Does the college have clubs or organizations that align with your interests?
° Cost: Can you afford the tuition and other associated costs?

Seek Out College Admissions Experts

Yes, this is a shameless plug for our services but you should absolutely elicit the advice of experts with a proven track record in college admissions success. With a 96% acceptance rate, Class 101 Carmel students can feel confident in our experts’ ability to navigate the many obstacles and nuances that the college admissions process will present.

If Class 101 in Carmel can help you sort through the overwhelming college admissions advice, feel free to contact our office.