My College Selection Process

Senior year can be really scary. Not only is it the last time you'll be doing the things you've grown accustomed to doing for the past 4 years- you have to decide what your shape your (very very near) future will take. Right now, I have no idea where I'll be or what I'll be doing in a year from today. Relatives, teachers, friends and parents love to ask what your plans are but the most common answer is "I don't know yet." And that's okay! Even though I don't know where I'll be, I know it will be some type of college or university and there were a number of factors that went into choosing the schools I applied to.
I ended up applying to 5 different colleges:
University of Iowa
University of Denver
Fordham University (NYC)
Macalester (Twin cities)
Barnard (NYC)

While these 5 schools might seem random, there's actually a fairly common trend. Ever since I was younger I've loved being in big cities. And all of my favorite classes in high school were small- with room to have discussions and get to know the teachers. And so I tried really hard to seek out small liberal arts schools in urban areas. I have also been fortunate enough to visit 4 out of the 5 schools I've applied to. Campus visits are so important because only then are you really able to get a feel for a school's culture, community and overall vibe. I remember walking through the Bronx on the way to Fordham, thinking that it would be a waste of my time and that I already knew I didn't want to go. As soon as we stepped onto the campus though, my mindset completely shifted. I envisioned myself walking around as a student, and during the tour saw myself living in a dorm. It's hard to describe, but there is definitely a gut feeling of fitting in. I also was sure to include a safety school (Iowa) and a reach school (Barnard). And although my decision will really come down to the finances (college is insanely expensive!) I believe I sent out an application to a variety of excellent schools and didn't miss out on any opportunities.