Finding the Right College Fit (Not the Popular One)
Lately I've had quite a few controversial posts about getting into some of the hardest public schools in Florida. People criticize that they don't know why everyone is fighting to even go there. But isn't that the case for all colleges or universities trying to be the premier university of their state, size, whatever the category?
If a college wants to be the "premier" college or university, what does that even mean? I think it means something different for each highly competitive school. Either way, they become ultra selective because of the profile of students they want admitted. Often the popularity of a school, whether it's because it's an SEC school making headlines during weekend football, or the selectivity itself makes it popular, doesn't mean it's the right fit for every student there.
Too often, kids aren't thinking through what's actually the best college fit for them. Not for their friends. Not for their parents to post on Facebook about their kid getting into [insert popular/selective college here]. We do our kids a disservice when we don't guide them to find the right college fit for THEM.
There are things to consider. Does it offer their major? Does it have the activities they hope to participate in while in school, like clubs, activities, club sports? Is it in an area they even like? Do they like the campus when they walk around it? What about the cost? Will they take on debt to go? People think education debt is "good debt," but I've seen how student loans can wreck someone's journey once they're actually ready to begin life.
When I'm coaching students, the first thing I ask them to do is think about being 25. When they wake up, what does their ideal day look like? What do they hope to be doing? What does their dream job look like? These answers help shape what their college experience should actually look like.
Maybe they say they want to teach, and we all know the salary expectations there. If they go to their local state or community school and come out debt free, their ideal day might actually look the way they want. They won't be rushing home from a full day of teaching to a second job waiting tables because they don't make enough to live on and pay off loans.
I do believe college should be a fun and memorable time. But that doesn't mean the only way to get there is to go to the popular school that isn't actually the right fit for you, just so you can take Instagram pictures that look like fun. College should be a stepping stone for the life you actually want to build. So before you put every college your friends are applying to on your list, or the ones your parents hope you'll go to, answer these questions.
What does your dream life look like at 25?
What career do you want to go into? What does the salary potential look like?
Once you know the answers, you can really start diving in and finding colleges that fit you. There are a lot of ways to do this. Do your own research. Visit the colleges. Look up the cost of attendance. Check their Instagram, look on YouTube, research their admissions profiles.
There are also sites like AdmissionsGPS.com that help you find the right fit based on a survey you fill out yourself. New features include a major mapping tool to help you find the right major for what you're looking for. Use code LIVEBYFIT for 20% off.
There's so much more than a degree that helps you build the life you want, but for many people it's the first step. Make sure that first step is the right one for you.
What to do this week: answer the questions I gave you. Really think about the answers and what they look like for your life. Because before you can do anything else, you need to know where you actually want to end up.
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