As a senior in high school, I recently spent a weekend visiting colleges across the country from my home in California. I knew that I wanted to apply to the schools I was visiting but just wanted to make sure that these schools felt right. I went in knowing that I liked something specific about each of the four schools I was touring, but I wanted to see them in person. This trip was more successful than I could have expected. Obviously, I went in hoping that I would find my dream school, and I might have, but even more, I learned that every school isn’t for me. People have always told me that everyone finds the perfect school for them, but I didn't really believe them. I didn’t know how to determine how a school wasn't for me. In the end, it was really about how I felt at the school.
I visited my favorite school first on the trip; it wasn't on purpose but I loved the first school I saw. It set my standards high for the rest of the trip, and I still can’t decide whether that was good for me or not. It made me examine each of the other schools more, but could have inflicted an premature bias against any other schools. But that really didn't matter; I liked the first school I saw and that's what mattered. This school really clicked for me; I could really see myself there and that was most important to me. When I talked to students, they were warm and friendly and all I could hear was positivity.
The next school I saw was not my favorite. I’m not naming names or telling you that the school I don't like won’t be the perfect fit for you. I didn’t mesh well with the tour guide and the information session just wasn't speaking to me. When I talked to students, they all seemed to love the school, but I didn’t feel the same connection to this school. That was fine, and I was able to remove the school from my list and gain more perspective on what I really wanted out of a school. I saw what didn't click for me so I could better appreciate what did fit.
Before this visit, I’d always assumed that everyone wanted the same things out of college and it would be picking your favorite of a group of schools, but it isn’t that at all. Really, you just know if you can see yourself on the college campus or not. It is totally okay if you don't feel a connection to a specific college (even one that you thought you would love); that just means there are other colleges you will love and this is one you don’t have to waste time applying too.
Applying for college can be really scary, especially knowing that you are deciding where you are going to spend the next four years of your life. But in reality, we will all find the perfect places for us. That’s what matters most.
