Figuring Out What You Want in a College

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Consider Admission Difficulty
There are a lot of people competing for admission at college and you want to apply where you have a chance of getting in. It's okay to have a couple of longshots, and later we'll talk about applying to a few "reach" schools, but they shouldn't all be.

We also don't suggest that you apply only to schools that are super-easy for you to get into. You're going to spend a few years and a bunch of money on your education and you want a school that will stretch you and allow you to grow intellectually.

I got in everywhere I applied, but I shied away from applying to places I had little chance of getting into.

Special Programs and Offerings
There may be special programs or offerings that you're looking for your school to have. Some of these may be necessities and others may be things that would be nice to have but you could live without.

For example, if you have any disabilities, finding a college that can accommodate them is a big priority. If you anticipate needing tutoring with a particular subject, make sure that this is an option at the schools you're considering.

Other things, like whether your college has a formal internship program or a great selection of study-abroad opportunities, might be good options to have, but these aren't things that will make or break your decision.

I wanted to start learning a new foreign language at college and Wesleyan had this great study-abroad program in Japan. It intrigued me, and I ended up going to Japan during the first semester of my junior year at Wes.

Don't Forget Extracurriculars
Extracurricular activities can really enhance your college experience and they're a great way to meet people with similar interests. This won't be news to you if you've already sampled some in high school. Maybe you've been involved in the drama club, choir, or a particular sport. You may like it so much that you just can't imagine living without it in college. If that's the case, you may be tempted when you're looking at colleges to stick to what you know and love, but keep in mind that there will also be lots of new activities to try out. Look for what's important to you, but be ready to discover new interests.