Today I'll meet with a young woman who is thinking about the college application process. Like I was, she will be a first generation college student since her parents did not attend college. I remember what that was like. While my parents were eager for me to go to college and fully supportive of that step in life, they didn't really know where to begin with regard to supporting the college application process. Also, my parochial high school similar to many public high schools did not have the staffing or interest in me with regard to supporting the process with a personal approach. In many ways, I was left on my own until a few relatives got involved and along with my parents' support and enthusiasm directed me to a wonderful college education.
I thought a lot about the meeting I'll have with this young woman as well as the work I did with my husband and sons related to their college searches. I loved the process as I viewed it as a "find yourself process" where we looked for a college that would be a good fit for each of my sons. Some of the leading positions we held as we took part in the process included the following:
- Find a college where you feel like you fit in
- Be in a place that inspires you
- Study what you love and are passionate about
- Think about schools where people like you went to, enjoyed, and did well at
- Consider affordability - don't get into big debt
- Don't limit yourself to colleges you think you can get into, but instead think about schools you want to attend and create a list of desirable schools that include top choices as well as sure bets--schools you know will accept you. Make sure that you like every college on your list because you don't know where you'll land.
- Students have success at all kinds of colleges. As an adult I can point to success stories from every type of college and every kind of student. What matters is that you invest yourself into the college experience you choose and take good advantage of all that college community has to offer.