When discussing colleges, the term “good fit” is used often. But what exactly does “good fit” mean? In many ways, it is completely subjective. That said, within that subjective messiness, I believe that “good fit” comes down to three criteria: academic fit, social fit, and financial fit. In the absence of “good fit,” students end up unhappy, unfulfilled, and unsuccessful, while parents may end up taking on so much debt that retirement becomes that thing only other people do.
#goodfit = #academicfit + #socialfit + #financialfit
Over the next few weeks, I will delve into exactly what I mean by “good fit,” why it is important, and how to find it.
Deciding where to go to college is one of the most important decisions adolescents will make—one often associated with extreme angst, even misery—for students and families. Given that there are over 4,000 colleges in the U.S. and constant hysteria surrounding the college application process (press, colleges, peers), it’s no wonder. But the truth is: it doesn’t have to be that way.
There are a myriad of actions students and families can take to mitigate the stress involved in applying to college, actions that help students end up in colleges that are right for them (i.e., a good fit). Below are five strategies I know reduce the stress of the college process AND help students and families recognize a “good-fit” college when they see it:
1. Acknowledge that selecting and applying to college is a process. Few people would wake up one day and decide to spend >60k without putting some serious thought into it!
Hint: a haphazard approach is rarely conducive to positive outcomes
2. Identify a process, preferably a step-by-step one, and stick to it
Hint: a plan in the absence of action is useless
3. Work with a professional college counsellor/consultant
Hint: that is probably not your high school English teacher or your well-meaning Uncle Myron
4. Know fact from fiction: there is A LOT of fiction out there!
Hint: be a critical thinker
5. Understand and define what good fit means, acknowledge it, and narrow the search accordingly
Hint: there is no one-size fits all
This week I focus on Strategies 1 and 2. I suggest ways to develop a comprehensive process to mitigate the stress in the college process, one that results in a final college list containing only schools that are the right fit.
Importantly, a strong process includes at least the following: academic evaluation, college major exploration, personality and career exploration, identifying important college characteristics, a plan to pay for college, building a college list, campus visits, and college essays and applications.
Ideally families retain an Independent College Counselor/Consultant to help design, navigate, and complete the college process. For students who are self-disciplined enough to read a 180+ page book and engage in the process in a meaningful and effective manner, or when an Independent College Counselor/Consultant is not an option, books such as College Match: A Blueprint for Choosing the Best School for You may be helpful.
If you take nothing else away from this blog except that applying to college is a major decision that merits a substantial investment in planning and time: my work is done.
Tune in next week for a discussion on why hiring an independent college counselor/consultant is a not just a good investment, but a smart one.
For more information on the college application process, please contact me at kathy@fineeducationalsolutions.com.
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