By: Ginnie Lo
National Decision Day (May 1st) is almost here, and COVID-19 is making a commitment to a college much harder. Many seniors in the past used their spring break to visit college campuses that they were accepted to, but now with the shut-down, seniors will not have the same opportunities of previous classes to find the right university for them. As for juniors, you may not be able to go on your college road trip to narrow down your list of colleges that you want to apply to. In this upsetting time, we should take advantage of our online resources and make the best of the situation. Here are a couple of things to consider when narrowing your list of colleges to find the right match for you:
1. Location
Is your dream college in a big city? Do you prefer all-year-round hot weather? Where is the closest Trader Joe’s? Some people may prefer the cozy, tight-knit community of a college town, whereas others want a big city with endless opportunities and restaurants nearby. Another factor to consider is whether your college has nearby companies that you can intern at for your chosen major. If local companies are not high in your priority list, what about the weather? Do you get seasonal depression? Feeling sad and sluggish during winter may affect your work or cause you to miss almost all your classes, ultimately stressing you out. Or do you just despise a hot, humid temperature? Some college locations have drastic weather changes with the season, which can affect your mood and work ethic. In addition, how far are you willing to be away from home? You may think that you want to be super far from your parents and Milpitas, but realistically, would you be able to handle giving up home food and frequent family visits? You may even feel lonely or you may have the time of your life away. It really depends on what you value in location and where you think you can thrive.
2. What Previous Students Say about the School
Reaching out to students that attend the college you are debating about can give you answers to whatever questions you have. You can ask them as many things as you would like and receive detailed responses. They may tell you some tips that no other incoming freshmen would know and even guide you on your college journey. College students would also be able to tell you more about your major based on what they know or their friends. Everything about talking to these students can give you personalized responses. A few sample questions are: What do you or your friends usually do on a Wednesday night? What do you like about your major? What would you change? Unexpectedly, you may even be building a connection and discover your networking skills. There are many ways to talk to college students that are willing to help you such as through an app called “Scope Messenger” or on social media such as Reddit or Instagram.
3. Watching Vlogs and College Q&As
Watching vlogs and campus tours on Youtube will help you understand what the student body is like and how the school looks. Videos on YouTube make the campus look more interesting because of the lively atmosphere created by bustling students. You may even come upon videos that talk about a college horror story, what they love and hate about the school, how easy it is to change majors, and where the best dining halls are located. I also like how you are not limited to one student’s point of view. You can also discover what each dorm looks like and the daily life of many different majors. YouTube is a great way for you to envision whether you would be on that campus or not, as well as discovering more about your college’s culture, environment, and educational intensity.
4. Cost
It may suck not being eligible for financial aid or merit. However, your safety school may give you a scholarship that lessens the burden or is a full-ride. In one scenario, if you have a full-tuition scholarship to your safety and your top school costs 30-70K, then your whole education at the safety is cheaper than one year at the other college. Attending a university is expensive and you have to decide whether you or your family can pay for it. It may lead to endless work to pay off your tuition. Like many other students across the nation, you can also take out a government loan. If you feel like you can pay your tuition but just need it to be a little cheaper, why not call the financial aid office and see what they can do. Another way to view the expensive cost of college is the education and experience you are gaining, which may be worth the price to you. For example, do you value paying more to learn in a smaller classroom? Better dorms and food? Money should not discourage you completely from attending your dream school or where you believe you can succeed.
5. Getting a Feel of What Your Classmates Are Like
Join your college’s Instagram, Facebook, or Groupme and interact with incoming freshmen. Seeing what your classmates are like can help give you an overview of the student body. Of course, every college has different types of people, but seeing the personalities of your future classmates will let you see what each college valued in an applicant. This is also a good opportunity to reach out and find a potential roommate or just make friends in general. Knowing what your classmates are like is really important because, at the end of the day, it is the people around you that heavily impact your mood. Are your future classmates cutthroat and competitive? Are they friendly and considerate? Do they make you feel safe and welcomed? If you go to a college where you will have a positive mentality, then that will show in your results.
6. How Colleges Handled COVID-19
Does your college care about its students? In this time of crisis, you can see how much each university cares about the well-being of its students. Did they force people to move out of their dorms and apartments in five days? Did they offer food to those who would go hungry? Did they show their students that they cared and took into consideration what academic difficulties that would arise? Or the living standards of the students? Did they leave the students suddenly without an income and job? This is where you do the research on how your college handled COVID-19 and the responses of students who lived on campus. Although going to college is about becoming independent, it is important that you consider a school that cares about its students.
7. Taking a Virtual Tour
I tried doing a virtual tour, and I hated it. To me, the campus looked so boring and bland on the tour without any student life. However, a virtual tour is helpful to let you see what the campus looks like. The first place to start your exploration is on the college’s own website. While on the website, you may find other tools such as video chats or questionnaires. Other websites include Youvisit.com, Campusreel.org, and Youniversitytv.com. There are also Discord servers that have a “virtual visiting day” where you can connect with the current students of many schools. Although it sucks not being able to visit the campus, you should take advantage of the virtual tour. You can go at your own pace and explore every corner of the campus.
Seniors, finalizing your choice is tough because a college visit would have helped seal the deal for you. Juniors, creating a college list of where you want to apply to is also tough because you may not have the summer to go on a campus tour. However, I want to add that you should not pick a college based on ranking only. You worked too hard for the past four years of your high school career to end up some place where you feel terrible and depressed. College is what you make of it. Where you study is not important, it is what you do while you are there. Just because you go to a high-ranking college does not mean you will be successful after. You may feel pressured to go to a certain school for its rank or prestige, but at the end of the day, it is your decision and your life. Remember, the end result is what matters most. Pick the school that is the best fit for you and enjoy your next four years at college!