Hey, peeps! I'm in my senior year and need to start building a robust college list. Any advice on how to create the most detailed and well-researched list of colleges to apply to? I want to consider factors like location, major offerings, college culture, etc. Would appreciate all your advice!
Definitely! Creating a robust and detailed college list needs thorough research and self-introspection. Start by clearly identifying what you're looking for in a college. This includes factors like school size, location, specific majors or programs, cost, cultural fit, graduation rates, and job placement rates.
One method is to classify your choices into three categories: 'reach', 'match', and 'safety'. Reach schools are those where your grades and scores fall below the school's average or middle 50% range - these schools will be difficult to get into. Match schools are where your qualifications fall within or exceed the school's middle 50% range. Safety schools are those where your qualifications strongly exceed the school's averages.
One tactic I suggest is to connect with current students or alumni if you can. This approach gives you an insider's perspective that you might not get from a brochure or college website. This is particularly helpful when determining the culture or atmosphere of the school, which is a key factor in student satisfaction.
You should also consider post-graduation outcomes, such as job placement rates and average starting salaries, as these will give you an idea of whether a school can help you get where you want to go after college.
Remember, allow enough time to research, visit if you can, and understand each college. That's how you'll build a solid college list.
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