Developing a Student’s Must Haves for College

Focusing on a high school student’s “MUST HAVES” for college incorporates a personal methodology that results in a better “fit” and may reduce the number of colleges that are applied to

In the current intense supply and demand landscape of college admissions, (college seats remaining constant [supply] and applications increasing [demand]), it is natural to succumb to the mindset of hoping to get into a school versus looking at what might be best on an individual basis.

I don’t believe you can underestimate the impact of a student’s reaction to watching a schoolmate they look up to and respect get rejected from schools thought to be “safe”. Witnessing their frustration, some parents and students believe the answer is to apply to even more colleges. It is not uncommon to think that the ability to apply to 20 schools is either “just right” or “not enough”. The truth is that if this approach is adopted broadly, the impact it will have will be for colleges to reduce admission rates to an even greater degree. It is understandable how a student can get lost in the statistics and possibly make wild changes in choosing what college they will attend. Once their confidence is blown from getting rejected from what was a “sure thing” in their mind, a student might grab onto the idea of just “going somewhere, anywhere that will accept them”.

An example of a student’s “MUST HAVES”

A student’s focus on their Must Haves for College before applying will better match them with a school where they will excel. With this approach, the conversation moves from hoping they will get into one specific school to putting together a realistic plan for colleges that meet their Must Haves. When a student only knows their own high school experience, everything in their college future is measured against it. Students who may feel trapped in a small school want to be released from a place where “everyone knows your name” and often gravitate to wanting bigger, wanting more. For example, a student who lives in a small town might be attracted to a city college.

The goal should be to articulate what they want in a college beyond “I just want something different.” This exploratory process is neither quick nor easy, but it engages the student in research for what elements of a college experience are important to them. Their research will hopefully evolve into a discovery of greater personal insight and profound analysis of what each school offers them. The net result is a shift from schools they must get into to schools that fit their must-haves.

Putting colleges on a list should be more than branding or visiting colleges superficially. Although a student (or parent) may be impressed at the ability to do laundry for “free,” to have fantastic food offerings, or to have the best tailgates before football games, many other factors will have longer-term attractiveness. Hopefully, a student will begin to look for the campus culture involving students and professors and internship opportunities off campus.

Guiding students to focus on what is truly important to them personally in college should increase their chances of finding a school that truly fits them. This more thoughtful approach to college selection empowers students and their parents, giving them the confidence that they are making the right choices for their future.