The students I work with tend to fall into two groups. The first are the kids who have little or no idea what they want in a college; this makes a lot of sense because they haven’t gone to college yet, so how would they know? The second are the kids who know exactly what they want in a college, whether it’s size or location or a particular major. But in reality, these students are more similar than they initially appear. The kids who are uncertain have never been asked the kinds of questions that would help them figure out what is important to them, and what they hope to get out of their college experience (beyond large vs. small or urban vs. rural). And the kids who seem sure have usually adopted those views for external reasons; when I start asking questions, they become a lot more flexible and open-minded.
The process of applying to college is an incredible opportunity for reflection and self-discovery. Students who seize that opportunity submit stronger applications, get more acceptances and scholarships, and are more likely to have an extraordinary college experience that prepares them for whatever they want to do next. But you can’t do that without answering some big questions. A meaningful college application process takes time and critical thinking, and a good independent counselor can help guide students through that to find better-fit schools, complete stronger applications, and have a more successful college experience.