Build
Your Build Your College List College List
Senior Academy
Searching Colleges
Remember what you learned at Think Like a Senior!
Majors
a.k.a Programs |
Fields of Study
| Academic Programs |
Degree Programs
|
Areas of Study
There are hundreds of majors – don’t be intimidated!
tip: Exercise Science = Kinesiology
tip: Global Studies Intn'l Relations
declaring a major vs. your intended major
It is absolutely fine to choose the "Undecided" (Wake Forest) or "Undeclared" (ECU) or "Exploratory Studies" (NC State) or "General Studies" (Guilford College) or "Deciding" (App State) option as an applicant! Choose what is the best answer for you at the time.
Balance
Having a balanced list will set you up for more options!
"Likely"
a college where you are likely to be admitted based on their first year profile compared to your application
"Target"
a college where you are right on target with their first year profile; being admitted will just depend on the rest of the applicant pool and what the college is seeking
"Reach"
a college that is slightly above your application profile or one that a highly selective school (and a reach for everyone)
What’s a Target school for me?
Remember what you learned at Think Like a Senior!
College Scorecard tells me...
Type in name of school
Click on school profile
Click on Test Scores & Acceptance
Googling “NC State First Year profile” tells me...
Also on this page is a link to:
Do an on-campus or virtual visit and listen... listen...
what qualities are they looking for in students?
what new initiatives are they promoting?
how is their school looking to grow?
So many choices.
Step 1
Where do I
begin?
Narrow down the majors you will list on applications. Search schools that offer those majors.
Step 2
Narrow that search by size, location, selectivity, cost & type (co-ed, HBCU, religious affiliation, etc.)
Step 3
Compare your profile (GPA, rigor, test scores) to those schools' First Year Profiles or Freshman Snapshot.
Step 4
Identify 3 likely, 3-5 target and up to 3 reach schools from that list
Step 5
Look at your list. Is there any other reason that you j would not want to apply to 1 or more of these schools?
...and then?
Step 6
Do more research. Virtual tours, deep dive into their websites. Warning: do not be swayed by rankings
Step 7
Look at application requirements. Any reason you could not meet them? (portfolios, test required, etc.)
Step 8
Yep. More research. Join these school's official mailing lists, follow Instagram accounts and Twitter feeds and follow Admissions blogs.
You... the STUDENT
What special opportunities does each school offer?
Internships? Study Abroad?
Unique programs?
Advising? Support services?
Library or Lab facilities?
Studios or equipment?
You... the PERSON
the student body make-up
social opportunities (clubs, athletics, Greek life, etc.)
what is the climate? local area vibe?
dietary needs? health needs?
mental health support?
exercise facilities & nearby fun
Rankings are everywhere
How many “#1” schools have you seen?
Pause. Rankings don’t mean everything.
read Admissions blogs plan ahead review your criteria (often) read your emails
You have the tools.
Crosby Advisor open family dialogue identify red flags stay aware of dates regional Admissions rep set calendar reminders follow official social media listen to podcasts call Admissions office campus tours live chat options create priorities
Start your list with 3-3-3. How many colleges should I apply to?
Building a college list takes time. It needs time to grow! A close family member attended the institution.
How hard is it to get into [insert school name]?
You might not like this, but...it depends.
Questions?
