Thinking about the college search before it even begins can feel like standing at the edge of a trail. There’s a steep climb ahead, and the uphill is very … uphilly. Every college student has been there, and every one will tell you the same thing: there is a lot of uphill. And the view from the top is so, so worth it.
But what you might not hear as often is that there are a LOT of benches along the way. The college-search process isn’t a race and it isn’t a contest. It looks steep, but it’s really a beginner course. You just need to know how to frame it. Let’s go!
#1. Familiarize yourself with the terminology
Before you dive head first into any project, make sure you’re comfortable with the terms around your subject matter. You might be surprised to hear it, but colleges use enough unique terms and phrases that it could almost be considered its own language. And, each institution might define those terms differently. Getting comfy with some of CSU’s terminology and basic information is a perfect place to dip your toes in before you get too deep in your journey.
#2. Don’t get too caught up in the specifics just yet
Agonizing over which major to choose, getting wrapped up in which residence hall you’ll land in, getting caught up in the rankings of the schools you’re exploring … these are all steps that will come much later and have lots of flexibility. When you’re in the midst of the college search, it might seem like you’re in a forest and every single tree needs your immediate focus. But there are some big trees to attend to first — way before dorms, academics, and beyond. Here are six things to consider when choosing colleges.
#3. Get organized and mark your calendar
This might be the least-dazzling item in our list, but it’s also one of the most-crucial pieces to ensuring your sanity throughout the search process. Dates, deadlines, and can’t-miss events are often non-negotiable. While you might be aware of the application deadlines for your top colleges, make sure you take some time to mark down deadlines for scholarships and financial aid, housing and orientation, and even pre-college activities and events.
Throughout your junior and senior years of high school, you’ll have an admissions counselor at CSU who can help you track all the must-do items, give you an idea of when they’re due, and even help you navigate the prep and submission of some things. Trust us, there’s some magic relief that happens when you just get those important items set up in your calendar.
#4. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your admissions counselor
We say it over and over because we mean it: Your admissions counselor is here for YOU. Their entire job is helping you navigate this process, from the second you think “hmm, maybe CSU?” to the day you step foot on campus as a Ram. You can choose how, when, and where you communicate with your counselor: email, text, video chat, an in-person session on campus? Maybe a quick coffee meeting? They’re into it. Reach out and see just how helpful your admissions counselor can be.
