f you’re anything like me, the idea of starting the whole college application process is about as enticing as a root canal. I remember putting it off as long as possible, because I just couldn’t bring myself to take that first step in the long and difficult process. 

But honestly, it’s not really that bad. Just start like this: 

Step 1:

• Imagine yourself at college. The first thing that comes to your mind.. What is it? Describe it in as much detail as you can. Jot down a couple of notes about the location, the “feel”, the people around you, and whatever you just can’t live without.  Pay attention to that image in your mind because it is important to you, I’m sure. It will affect many of your decisions about college. 

Step 2:

• Now take a step back and analyze that image in your mind. Ask yourself if that image has more to do with partying, sports events, and the freedom of moving away from home than it has to do with studying and building your future. When anyone is 17 or 18, it is perfectly understandable that this is important to you, but let’s be realistic also! Think about all the aspects of college, not just the fun ones. 

The good news is that you need to find a college that combines both the dream image in your mind with the reality of studying your a** off in higher education. The school has to meet both your social needs, as well as your educational needs.  

Now let’s get a bit more specific.  Continue like this:

Step 3:

• You need to pick apart your ideal image a bit more. Take each of these aspects and investigate them a bit further:
  • What type of geographical location do you want? (Warm or hot weather? Close to home or far away? Does it have beaches, mountains, or wide open farmland?)
  • What size of school do you prefer? 
    • Larger schools have tremendous diversity of programs and students, but sometimes people feel lost in the crowd.
    • Smaller schools offer lots of personalized attention from teachers and staff, but may not have as many options to choose from.
  • What type of “culture” are you looking for in a school? 
    • Do you want to be with people like you? Or do you want to try something new and be surrounded by different people who might not share your background, your experiences, your styles and tastes? 
  • Are you interested in a city school or suburban/rural school?
    • Want to be in the middle of a large, exciting city? Or outside of the city on a student centered campus?

The answers to those categories above will help you tremendously to narrow down the choices. 

Now you have to combine the preference for the type of school with what subject you want to study.  

Step 4:

• Do you have an idea of what you want to study? 
  • If YES, that makes it a lot easier to find a school! Do your homework and find all different types of schools that offer that same major. For example, studying Business at a small southern school while you are active in Greek life will give you a very different college experience than studying Business at a large school in the middle of New York City. You need to know all your options. 
  • If you do NOT know what you want to study, you need to start to brainstorm with a trusted friend or family member about what might interest you. Here are some places you may get some inspiration: 
    • Classes you loved and/or got good grades in
    • General interests you have like sports, art, travel or writing
    • The careers of people you admire 
    • Articles or books you read
  • Do NOT choose your major according to the salary they make later. 
    • If you say “I want to be an artist, but they don’t make any money” you will end up being unhappy as a lawyer and will quit your job when you’re 35 and have a mortgage with 3 kids. Trust me, it happens all the time and it’s a LOT harder to change later down the line. Follow your gut now, and you will make the money you need to make somewhere or somehow. 
    • Personally, I don’t think you should ever make an important decision in your life based on money alone. It always ends up being a bad or a short-sighted decision.

Now you have an idea where you want to study, what type of school you might want to go to, and what you might want to study. You’re 90% done!

Just keep in mind a few more things:

• When they talk about the best “fit” for your college, there is a reason for that. You want to find what is best for YOU, not for your best friend or for the guy next to you. Don’t make the same mistake I made and just go to the college that your sister went to. Find what is right for you!

• Don’t limit yourself to only famous or popular universities. There are tons of schools out there that are excellent even though they are not famous. Here are some resources for finding colleges:
  • “Fiske Guide to Colleges” by Edward Fiske
  • “Colleges that Change Lives” by Loren Pope
  • U.S. News and World Report “Find the Best College for You”
  • Princeton Review
  • Naviance (software to help with college search and application, possibly offered by your school)

With a little time and effort, everyone can find the college that is right for them. Most importantly, just follow your gut in making the right decision. Down deep, we all know what we truly want and need.