Education in San Antonio

You can almost guarantee yourself a great college choice if you follow the ten simple rules below.

1. Never make your final college selection without visiting at least your top two or three choices. No matter how well you think you know a college or university, you can learn a lot (good or bad) by spending a few hours on campus, including whether or not the college feels like a good “fit” for you. Bringing family members on college visits is a good idea because it gives you extra “eyes and ears” as well as people with whom you can discuss your impressions.

2. If you follow only one of the ten rules, make it rule #1.

3. A college with a familiar name might be a great choice for you. Then again, it may not. Don’t be too influenced by name recognition alone.

4. Take the time to identify and check out three or more colleges unfamiliar to you which would seem likely to admit you, offer the major(s) in which you are interested, and are located in areas in which you would like to spend four years. With any luck, you’ll discover some great new options.

5. There are very few worse reasons to select a college than because your friends are going there. Choosing a college because your girlfriend or boyfriend is headed there is one them. In fact, if there is a worse reason to choose a college, it escapes me.

6. College-bound students often get lots of input from well meaning family and friends. Unfortunately, much of it is inaccurate. Be careful when folks categorize a college as “too expensive”, “impossible to get into”, “a party school”, “a top liberal arts school”, etc. There is a lot of misinformation out there, and people often mindlessly pass on what they hear. Find out for yourself what is true and what isn’t, and beware of people who oversimplify and over generalize.

7. In the beginning of your search, do not worry about cost. The fact is, you won’t know what a college might cost you until you find out what kinds of financial aid, if any, you might be offered. So, whatever you do, do not rule out colleges because of their cost in the initial stages of your search. And, be aware that some colleges pledge to meet the full financial need of all of their students.

8. You may have to contend with ACT deadlines, SAT deadlines, scholarship deadlines, financial aid deadlines, and college application deadlines. Close your eyes for thirty seconds and imagine how stupid you will feel if you fail to get into a college or get money for which you qualify because you miss a deadline. Then, to avoid feeling stupid, write down all operative deadlines and check them often.

9. Most students (not all) should probably apply to at least eight colleges. Three should be “reach” colleges…colleges you are excited about but might need some luck to be admitted to. As the lottery ads say, “you never know”, and your odds of getting into most colleges are better than your odds of winning the lottery. Then, carefully pick at least three colleges you really like and are likely to be admitted to. I say “carefully” because chances are you’ll wind up at one of these colleges. Finally, choose two “safe” colleges…places you like which are virtually certain to offer you admission. Choose these colleges carefully too, so you’ll have a good place to land if all else fails.

10. With a little luck, you’ll get into several colleges you like. Although that may make your final decision a bit difficult, can you think of a better problem to have? At this final and critical point, ask for input from those who know you best and whose judgement you most trust. Then, make your final college selection and don’t second guess yourself. Realize that the steps you took getting to this point almost assure that you have made a good choice and that the next four years of your life will be a great adventure.

Daniel Kane has worked in high schools, colleges, and universities for more than thirty years. He has websites on subjects including online education and online degrees and scholarships .