…rather it should be about creating an awesome college experience that will help propel you into the life you want to live. So ditch the rankings and the need to find a college that everyone has heard of. Instead, find the colleges who will fit you academically, socially and financially.
…but remember that you get more bees with honey. A negotiation is a conversation – not a battle of wills! Financial aid offers will vary and if there’s one school who you are really in love with and their offer is a little soft, pick up the phone and call. You have nothing to lose!
…Choose teachers who can really talk about you in a personal way rather than just the ones who gave you the most A’s. Sometimes, the most meaningful recommendation is from the teacher who can talk about how you handled adversity.
…not ones you think colleges will love. When it comes to activities and how they affect your applications, they do matter but where they really, really matter is when they are important to you. So if you’re going to invest your time in something, do it because you will get something out of it, because you will have fun doing it and because you will learn something.
…Most students apply to the same schools as their classmates. There are over 3,000 colleges and universities in the US – find the ones that are great for you.
