Colorado College Top Questions

Just follow your heart and don't tell yourself "I'll have more time to do this later." Take full advantage of your opportunity.

This question is strikingly familiar, as I just assisted a friend with her college decision. The advice I gave her is the same I would give any perspective college student: go with your gut. Originally, I would always suggest this course of action because it had worked well for me. When I was making my college decision, I literally waited until the last minute of the deadline before choosing CC over NYU and ultimately, the decision came down to that little omniscient feeling in my stomach. I had no real convincing argument for why a person should just go on instinct besides my own experience. Now, however, I?ve just finished my first economics course at CC in which we read books about how people make decisions. One of the books was ?Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking? by Malcolm Gladwell, which emphasized how ?thin-slicing?, the practice of observing a small parcel of information to make a decision, often serves us better then gathering information over a longer period. This theory can just as accurately be applied to choosing a college. Although it may seem counterintuitive, let your gut choose where to educate your mind.

choose based on feel

"Don't follow the money, let the money follow you." That was the advice a man once gave me on a plane about possible careers I was considering. I was only 15, but the words have stuck with me. I think they can be applied to the college choice. I'm currently a senior at Colorado College, and doing all the things I love: college newspaper, community service, and civic engagement projects. I was unsure when I came here if I had made the right choice. It took me over two years to be able to say confidently that it was. When I finally made my decision, I weighed my options. I knew I wanted a small liberal arts school that would challenge me to think differently. The two schools I looked at both filled these requirements, but I thought CC could do a better job delivering that promise than the other school. Look at the schools, get student opinions, and think about what you enjoy doing now, because chances are they won't change once you get to college. Find a school that matches those things. And please forget about the name, it really is just a name.

I work for the admission office at Colorado College, and the advice I give to students is always just 'be yourself.' I know it sounds trite and obvious, but I remember how hard it is to keep track of who you are among all the essays and applications and supplements and interviews and standardized tests. Forget what your GPA is and how well you did on the SATs - that's not what makes you you. Just don't lose yourself, and you'll find your way to the perfect college for you. And once you get there - ENJOY! Take advantage of all the great opportunities presented to you, academic and otherwise. We're young, let's have fun!

Don't use your desire for independence as a way to get away from home during college. Sticking closer to home can be helpful, especially in the transition to college. And make sure that the place where you go is in a climate that you enjoy; weather is an overlooked but important factor in happiness at college.

Visit several schools of different sizes and demographics to see what fits you best. Stay with a student and try to break away from the official campus tours and talk to the students directly. Many times, what they tell you will be dramatically different from what the administrators will say.