how to create a balanced college list
TRANSCRIPT
Building a College List: 5 Mistakes to Avoid
1. Focusing on Name Brands
2. Asking “What are they Looking For?” first
3. Rushing the Process
4. Visiting Frenzy
5. Handing over the Reins
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Solution: Focus on Your Strengths and Interests
1. Start with your academic and professional
ambitions
2. What type of community suits you best?
3. Make a list of what’s most important to you
4. Use available online tools to broaden your search • Noodle.org • BigFuture.org • Zinch.com
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Solution: What are you looking for?
1. Community + Culture
2. Support
• Financial aid • Academic support • Special needs
3. The big things
• Study abroad options • Research + Internships • Work Study
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Solution: Learn about yourself from the process
1. Each step of the college process teaches you about
yourself
2. When you find something that “fits,” look for other options that are similar to the one that fits
3. If you change your mind, that’s part of the process!
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Solution: Visit a few targeted schools
1. Start with one school in a few broad categories
2. Take notes each place you visit
3. When you find something that’s right, explore other
places that are similar
4. Do more research about the places you are really excited about • Talk to current students + recent alumni • Dive into the web site • Read professors’ publications
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Solution: Students complete the process
1. Make a schedule
2. Help people to help you by being organized and on
time
3. It works against you when your parents do the work for you, so just do it yourself!
4. When in doubt, ask your guidance counselor.
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Next Steps – How can you prepare now?
Register for our online course today! Price: $99
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