Here I find myself, seated on the soft comforter of my bed, wrapped in the warmth of my cozy blue blanket. The glow from my laptop reveals my concentrated expression as my hand hovers over the keyboard. With a decisive clasp of my finger on the enter key, I push submit with a firm grip, and confetti appears on the screen—my final college application is now in.

But what has brought me to this point? Well, let me guide you through my three personal criteria I crafted for selecting these colleges.

Beginning with the third criteria, being honest with oneself is critical. When pursuing potential colleges, it’s important not to settle for just any option. It most definitely saved me the trouble! Avoid the appeal of following your friends, as their choices might not align with your aspirations. The popularity of a college’s name should not be the sole determining factor. Opting for prestigious institutions like Princeton or Yale solely based on reputation may not align with your specific needs. Posing the question, “Would I choose this school if I were rejected from all others?” ensures you make choices true to your convictions. Choosing a school primarily based on admission rates or statistical matching is a poor decision. The most important aspect of this criteria is being honest and true to oneself.

Moving on to the second criteria, thorough research of the chosen college is non-negotiable. By research, I mean an in-depth analysis of every aspect, from available organizations to academics. Familiarize yourself with the institution as if it were a buddy of yours. What clubs are available? Are there any things you’re interested in? Examine the specifics of the dorms and the opportunities it offers. Consider the student-to-teacher ratio and the possibility of personal impact. Consider the available options and the school’s approach to mental health. One day, you may need a gap year or take time off, will they allow it? You wouldn’t want to get stuck in a situation you could’ve avoided.

Finally, my top criteria when selecting a college is knowing exactly what you want. Even if this procedure may not be simple, it is critical to identify your desires. Consider your hobbies, interests, and passions. If you want to be a writer, a school known for engineering might not be the best fit. Decide if you want to live near to home, far away, or even abroad. Although a declared major is not required, thinking about your interests and hobbies will help you narrow down your college options.

These criteria have not only acted as my compass but also had an important effect on how I applied to colleges. My genuine objectives have been reflected in the application process thanks to my honest assessment of my choices, my in-depth research of each school, and my increased grasp of my own aspirations. I can thus start the next phase of my academic journey with a strong sense of connection between my personal objectives and the institution I have selected, which is proof of the transformative influence these criteria have had on my path to pursuing higher education.