Starting from middle school, students are often encouraged to focus on where they’d end up after high school‒specifically, the school they would like to attend and the subject they aim to study. However, many don’t know where to even begin preparing for college. One thing is for certain, though: start early. If you’re a middle schooler, you don’t need to stress about it, but it never hurts to stay informed and ahead. If you’re in high school and you have not started, there has never been a better time than now. It may be confusing and frustrating at first, but here are a few things you can do to ease your way into the process: 

Recognize Your Strengths

Although you don’t need to know exactly what you will study at college, it’s important that you know at least the direction you’re going to be taking. Of course, mindsets and hobbies change as you find yourself throughout life, so this isn’t meant to define what you will be majoring in‒perhaps, you may even switch your major once you get there. This step is important for when you’re applying to schools. Having a sort of “theme” within your short answers/essays can differentiate you from other applicants, as it shows your focus and determination throughout your time in high school (opposed to an applicant who attempted to look well-rounded by including the various interests they maintained, yet none of them correlated to his/her desired field of study).

Liberal Arts or Research-Based?

Once you’ve figured out your academic strengths, you’ll need to see what type of colleges/universities will be best for your intended field of study. Many STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) students tend to look into research universities, for they focus on the student’s chosen field of study and provide access to a variety of research-related opportunities. On the other hand, liberal arts colleges focus on the entire education of a student while still allowing them to master the specific subject they chose. Liberal arts colleges usually have significantly fewer students attending the college, allowing more recognition for the individual student. On the other hand, research universities have a much bigger pool of students, forcing certain classes to have more than 100 students within a class period. This may be difficult for those who prefer more attention from a professor, considering they see hundreds of faces each day inside their classrooms. However, they typically do offer more programs than liberal arts colleges do, but liberal arts colleges have more unique areas of study. It really comes down to your preference. 

Keep Statistics in Mind

…but don’t rely on them. Statistics are important for measuring your chances of being considered for admission and you should use them as a tool to help you narrow down the list of your schools and perhaps even motivate you to strive for those scores; however, they shouldn’t be used to completely dismiss the top-notch universities and colleges. Everyone knows about Ivy League schools and their prestige, but prestige shouldn’t veer you away from applying, especially if you show strength in other disciplines outside of academic ones. Miracles do happen if you manifest it enough (or so I’d like to believe). If the time comes and you’re still unsure about applying to certain schools, speak to your school’s cap advisor and see what they think. No matter what, trust your gut and do what you think is best for you. 

Your CAP Advisor Doubles as Your Best Friend 

During this extensive, and somewhat annoying, process, your college counselor will become your go-to. They are there to help you, but it is up to you to ask for help. As for myself, speaking to my CAP advisor allowed me to find out about a multitude of college fairs for top schools such as Harvard, Columbia, UPenn, Duke, Georgetown, Brown, UChicago, Stanford, and Cornell. Even if you think your chances are slim for these schools, their programs will provide you with much information about the application process, financial assistance, and usually a question and answer session after the event. Most of the time, the CAP advisor’s door is open, so whenever you have any questions just ask for a hall pass and go. It is vital that you build a good relationship with your college counselor because college preparation can get confusing and scary at times‒it’s okay to ask for help. However, use their insight as guidance, not as the final decision. That is for you to make. 

Take Every Opportunity You Find

Colleges will be looking for students who are not only bright but who also possess leadership qualities. Schools are looking for students who can impact their campus; what you’ve done in high school is simply a guideline for what they believe you can do in their college/university. Therefore, don’t just join a few clubs and call it a day. Try to get on the board of those clubs or, even better, create your own. Commit to the clubs you’re already a part of and show that you are determined when it comes to carrying out tasks and establishing yourself as a student. In fact, the best would be to take the opportunities that are different from what you normally see on a student’s resume. Perhaps, that means carrying out an independent project related to your field of study or finding volunteering opportunities (and ones that are unusual) outside of clubs such as Key Club; whatever it may be, make it your own. Ambition is one of the best qualities to have when it comes to college applications, and perhaps, along your journey of self-discovery, you may even pick up a few connections that will serve you well in the future (whether it be pertaining to college or not).

Is the School a Fit for You?

At the end of the day, you have to remember that you will be choosing your home for the next 4 years or more, which also isn’t free; there’s nothing more important than your comfort. After you’ve picked a dozen schools you’d like to attend, start narrowing them down by the safety of the school’s surrounding areas, your religious/political beliefs, the weather, and the type of people you would enjoy spending those four years with. There’s nothing worse than having to pay a ton of money for an environment you wouldn’t feel secure or accepted in, so it’s better to apply to schools you are comfortable with attending. 

I wish you nothing but the best on this confusing journey of college preparation. It’s a somewhat exciting, yet irritating, process, but once it’s all over you will land exactly where you were supposed to land.