As you make the most of your summer through internships, service projects, jobs, and let’s not forget a little bit of fun and relaxation; the thought of driving more deeply into the college search hangs over you. Up to this point you have been inundated with brochures in the mail, e-mails with exciting college offers and probably even some calls from colleges across the country. In the near future you will have to move from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat in this process. Instead of colleges contacting you, you will need to contact them by completing applications.   

How do you maneuver this process with a clear sense of direction? Here are a few tips for this time of year.

• Make a list of what you have enjoyed most about your high school education. For example what teaching methods teachers used, specific classes (what about them did you like?), extra-curricular activities, or classroom styles engaged you in the learning process.
   
•  Identify what you hope to get out of your college education. (Hands on experience, inquiry based learning, leadership possibilities, study abroad experience, service opportunities, new life-long friends, etc.
   
• Narrow down the geographic area of where you would be interested in attending college (i.e. - West Coast, Virginia, 20 miles from home, etc)
   
• Using the criteria identified determine which colleges still fit for you. Start eliminating colleges that don’t meet the criteria that really are the most important.

You may be wondering why I don’t list what you want to major in. I come from the philosophy that you don’t need to know what your major is before you start college for 85% or more of the careers out there. I will blog on this another time.Don’t worry and it take the process in small steps.   You won’t have to do all the driving, the colleges will continue to be proactive in reaching you; but you need to reach back at some point. So grab the steering wheel and start driving…don’t forget to buckle up it will be a fast ride.

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