Take an "Existential Selfie"!!
Melina, here.
I recently listened to an old Admission's Beat podcast episode, and the information I heard was SO VALUABLE I wanted to share it here, with you!!
At the core of your college admissions journey should be self-reflection, or what Coffin, the podcast host, calls taking an "existential selfie."
This concept goes beyond surface-level decisions like school rankings and location, instead urging students to ask deeper questions about who they are, what matters most to them, and how those priorities should shape their college search.
You should feel empowered to make intentional, authentic choices.
So how can you do this? Here are a few tips:
Step back and reflecting on personal values, interests, and learning styles.
Ask yourself questions like, What environments help me thrive? Do I prefer discussion-based, small classrooms, or larger lecture halls? What kind of community will help me grow - city-based or rural?
Parents, you can support this process by encouraging open conversations around these topics!!!
Ask your child: What excites you about learning? What type of community do you envision being a part of for the next four years?
ACTUALLY RESEARCH school sizes and communities
Something the podcast talked about in detail was how college size and community shape the student experience.
While many students initially gravitate toward larger universities for the excitement of campus life, Coffin and the student guests highlighted that smaller, tight-knit communities can offer more personalized attention and support.
For example, one student guest described the importance of being able to "take your professor out to lunch," which speaks to the accessibility of faculty and the individualized support that smaller schools often provide.
Remind yourself that prestige should not be your #1 priority
This is a hard one. And I fell into this trap MANY times during my admissions process.
But it is essential to focus on a school’s program and curriculum structure rather than its name or prestige.
Each college has its own set of core requirements or "distribution requirements," which may or may not align with the your strengths and interests.
Answer questions like:
What does the day-to-day academic experience look like? How flexible is the curriculum, and does it support interdisciplinary interests?
Communicate with your family!!
Family conversations, especially financial ones, are at the heart of this episode.
One of the student guests, wisely pointed out that some students fall in love with a school only to find out later that it’s not affordable.
Have honest conversations about what is feasible early in the search process.
Last but not least, STAY CALM!
Feelings of being overwhelmed are normal but can be mitigated by taking a step back and trusting the process.
For students just starting out, Coffin reassures them that the college search is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s okay to not have all the answers right away.
Confused on how to take your existential selfie? We want to help YOU embrace this mindset, and our program centers itself about finding you your right choice schools. Click here to see if we would be a good fit!
Best of luck,
Melina Kazanas
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