May 1st....right around the corner!

As many of you already know, May 1st is the National College Reply date. It's time to buckle down, make any final campus visits, and ask any remaining questions before making that final college decision. It's a BIG decision, so take your time and choose wisely. I would advise you to steer clear of selecting schools for only the following reasons:

1. Your BFF is going to _____ school.
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend is going to _____ school.
3. The school's name/reputation will sell itself after graduation (this may NOT always happen - ask about graduation placement rates...your parents will be glad to know that you will be able to successfully get a job or get into graduate school after your 4 years of college).
4. The school's facilities are all brand new (OK....but what about the people? the classes? the location? the academics?).
5. You can play _____ sport there (don't forget that college is also about getting an education).

Not that the reasons listed above are not legit reasons to attend a school, but it's best to choose a school based on more than one of these reasons. Many students make the mistake of selecting a school without thinking about the bigger picture...without thinking beyond next week, next fall or next year. As an Admission Counselor, I cannot tell you which school will be the right fit for you. This is a decision each student has to make themselves. My advice...consider the qualities you're looking for in a college/university. If you could create the perfect/ideal college for YOU, what would it be like? Are you looking for a certain size? location? major(s)? type - public or private? Extracurricular activities? Athletics? faith-based? comfortable atmosphere? good feeling?

There's a lot to think about these last few days before May 1st. I wish you all the best and good luck!

Decisions, decisions...

To my high school seniors,

One month until the national college reply date! I wish you all the best as you make that very tough or very easy final college decision. I hope you enjoy the adventures ahead of you as you set out on your college journey. The next 4 years of your life will be some of your most memorable. If you thought high school was a blast - college will be 10x that. The transition may seem difficult at first, but I promise you will get through it successfully. Take advantage of all there is to do in college - sports, clubs, organizations, campus jobs, research with professors, study abroad, internships, the friends/people you meet, greek life, volunteer/community service, and a wonderful education that will be the foundation for your future. Four years will fly by, so don't wish away those "bad" days that you may have from time to time. Once it's over, you will wish you were still sleeping in that twin bed in that tiny dorm room with your college roommate...staying up late to cram for a big exam the next day. Enjoy every moment of this experience.

My advice to you as you make this very big decision in your life...choose a college/university that you can call "home". As I always say, it's about fit and feeling.

Embrace this next chapter in your life. It may seem a little scary and challenging at first, but in the end, you will have had the time of your life and realize it was all worth it.

Good luck seniors!


*For those of you who have already decided to call Valpo "home", check out the Facebook group: Valparaiso University - Class of 2013.