It just became real.
Before now, it was all fun and games when we visited college campuses. “Do you think you’d like it here?” “Does this university have a solid program in your major?” “What kind of financial aid do they offer?” Well don’t make any choices yet – we still have time.
But now my daughter has finished her junior year, and (gasp!) the first set of college applications opened July 1. Time is actually ticking now – and choices she makes now really do make a difference. Oh goodness!
I know we are not alone in this journey to choose a college. I know I am not the only parent worried and anxious about helping my child make a good decision based on rational judgment about where to continue her education.
When looking at a college, there are several things that are the top of my list to discuss and point out to my daughter as she navigates the selection process. This, by no means, is an all-inclusive list, but here are some things I am hoping my daughter considers as she makes her first “real” adult decision.
1. You have an idea of your gifts and strengths. Do you see this campus supporting your growth and letting you use the gifts you’ve been given?
Are there intramurals to let you stay active in the sports you love? Are there clubs that you can see yourself joining, so that you’ll find a place to belong from the beginning that fulfills things that bring joy to your heart? Think about the students we’ve met who go here – could you be friends with them?
2. You have always been places where it’s obvious that teachers care. You appreciate the teacher-student relationship and enjoy that interaction and banter. Does this campus provide the environment where you can develop these professional relationships?
Do the academic advisors and professors seem to care about their students? Are the class sizes not too big that you’ll feel lost in the crowd? Are you able to interact with professors – either through office hours or research opportunities – so that you can get to know them and they can get to know you?
3. You have an inkling of what you want to do in life. Sure, that might change as the years progress, but does this school have a high success rate with employment after graduation for those who earn the degree you are planning to seek?
What is the acceptance rate from your projected major into graduate school or medical school? How many who are seeking employment after graduation successfully find jobs? What kind of internships are offered during your college career that will help you be competitive as you graduate and move on from here?
4. How much financial aid is possible? Will we pay out of state or in state tuition?
Money matters and leaving college with your degree (and maybe continuing on to grad school or simply getting a “first real job”) along with college debt – well, that would not be my suggestion for your life. Is there a smaller school that will offer you more financial aid because of your test scores? Are there more scholarships you could apply to receive?
5. How far away do you want to be from home?
Some kids want to leave and go far from home. Some enjoy being “far enough” while still being “close enough.” Think about your heart, your connection to your family, and how often you want the opportunity to come visit (and for family to come visit you). Set a radius distance from home and only look within those borders. NOTE: No matter how far you go, don’t doubt that your mama will come visit!
To parents in the same “I’ve-got-a-senior-this-year” boat, hopefully these things are on your list too, and I’m sure there are things that you and your child are considering that aren’t on this list. We all want to help our children be happy and successful. Choosing the best match college is one step to finding that. It’s not all academics – although that should definitely be considered – and that “fit” is important to overall contentedness with the choice.
Senior year, ready or not, here we come.
