Before
you try to figure out which colleges or universities are the best
fit for you, it is important to spend some time thinking about your
interests, values, goals, likes, and dislikes.
The
questions which follow can help you focus college selection and admission
where it belongs - on you as an individual.
You may feel embarrassed or self-conscious when you first consider
these questions. Nevertheless, an honest and thoughtful self-evaluation
can reveal what you should look for in a college and prepare you for
statements you will be asked to make about yourself in essays and
interviews when you apply.
A serious look at yourself will help you find the colleges that are
right for you and will help you present yourself effectively to them.
Your
Goals & Values:
1.
What aspects of your high school years have been meaningful to you?
If you could live this period over again, would you do anything differently?
2.
What values are most important to you? What do you care most about?
What occupies most of your energy, effort, and/or thoughts?
3.
How do you define success? Are you satisfied with your accomplishments
to date? What do you want to accomplish in the years ahead?
4.
What kind of person would you like to become? Of your unique gifts
and strengths, which would you like to develop? What would you most
like to change about yourself?
5.
Is there anything you have ever secretly wanted to do or be? If you
had a year to go anywhere an do whatever you wanted, how would you
spend that year?
6.
What experiences have shaped your growth and way of thinking?
Your
Education :
1.
What are your academic interests? Which courses have you enjoyed the
most? Which courses have been most difficult for you? Why?
2.
What do you choose to learn when you can learn on your own? Consider
interests pursued beyond class assignments: topics chosen for research
papers, lab reports, independent projects; independent reading; school
activities; job or volunteer work. What do your choices show about
your interests and the way you like to learn?
3.
How do you learn best? What methods of teaching and style of teacher
engage your interest the most?
4.
How much do you genuinely like to read, discuss issues, and exchange
ideas? What has been your most stimulating intellectual experience
in recent years?
5.
How would you describe your school? Are learning and academic success
respected? Has the school's environment encouraged you to develop
your interests, talents, and abilities? Have you felt limited in any
way? What would you preserve or change about the school if you were
able to do so?
6.
How well has your school prepared you for college? In what areas of
skills or knowledge do you feel most confident or least confident?
Have you been challenged by your courses?
7.
Have you worked to your potential? Is your academic record an accurate
measure of your ability and potential? Are your SAT scores? What do
you consider to be the best measures of your potential for college
work?
8.
Are there any outside circumstances (in your recent experience or
background) which have interfered with your academic performance?
Consider such factors as: after school jobs, home responsibilities
or difficulties, excessive school activities, illness or emotional
stress, parental influences, English not spoken at home, or other
factors which are unique to your background.
Your
Activities & Interests:
1.
What activities do you most enjoy outside the daily routine of classes
and other responsibilities? Which activities have meant the most to
you? Looking back, would you have made different choices?
2.
Do your activities show any pattern of commitment, competence, or
contribution to other individuals, your family and/or school?
3.
How would others describe your role in school or your home community?
What do you consider your most significant contribution?
4.
After a long, hard day what do you most enjoy doing? What is fun or
relaxing for you?
The
World Around You:
1.
How would you describe your family and home? How have they influenced
your way of thinking? How have your interests and abilities been acknowledged
or limited by them?
2.
What do your parents and friends expect of you? How have their expectations
influenced the goals and standards you set for yourself? To what pressures
have you felt it necessary to conform?
3.
What is the most controversial issue you have encountered in recent
years? Why does the issue concern you? What is your reaction to the
controversy? What is your opinion about the issue?
4.
Have you ever encountered people who think and act differently from
you? What viewpoints have challenged you the most? How did you respond?
What did you learn about yourself and others?
5.
What concerns you most about the world around you? Assuming obligation
and opportunity to change the world, where would you start?
6.
Do you have any historic heroes or heroines?
7.
What books have you read which have changed your way of thinking?
Who are some of your favorite writers? Why?
Your
Personality & Relationships With Others:
1.
How would someone who knows you well describe you? Your best qualities?
Your most conspicuous shortcomings? Would you agree with their assessment?
How have you grown or changed during your high school years?
2.
Which relationships are most important to you and why? Describe the
people whom you consider your best friends? Your best critics? Your
best advocates? In what ways are they similar to or different from
you?
3.
Describe the students at your school. Which ones do you feel are you
close to? Do you feel alienated from any? What kind of people do you
admire most? Generally, how do you respond to people who think and
act differently from what you expect? How do you feel about your teachers?
4.
How are you influenced by others who are important to you? How important
to you are approval, rewards, and recognition? How do you respond
to pressure, competition, or challenge? How do you react to failure,
disappointment, or criticism?
5.
How do you feel about choices and making decisions for yourself? What
are the best decisions you have made recently? How much do you rely
on direction, advice, or guidance from others? Have you ever chosen
anything because it was new or interesting? How important are fads
and fashions?
Related
Articles:
How
Seniors Decide (Juniors interview Seniors about college/scholarship
searches)
How
To Evaluate A College: Myths & Realities
