Sometimes it is the student themselves guiding the college choice, sometimes it is the parents – or others – but regardless, folks are making mistakes all along the way. Here are the 9 mistakes people are making when choosing a college – and it can affect the rest of the college-bound person’s life.
Applying to a College Sight Unseen
Every college is a community where students learn from each other, as well as from professors. Visiting a campus can help you get a sense of the culture, atmosphere and vibe of the place. You can also talk to current students, faculty and staff, and see the facilities and resources available. If you can’t visit in person, you can try virtual tours, online chats or webinars to get a feel for the college. Don’t go just by a college’s “name” or reputation.
Choosing a College Based On Where Others Are Going
Do not choose a college because a best friend or current significant other is going, your parent went, grandparent went, or because a recent article says this is the best college, for whatever reason. College choice has to be personal.
Choosing a College Based On Where Others Say You Should Go
We know that things can get complicated when emotions—especially emotions like guilt—come into play, but please, please do not pick a college just because a parent, college admissions officer, or ANYONE is pressuring you to. The next few years of your life will be spent at this college, and you need to make sure it’s right for you. You should listen to the advice of others, but ultimately follow your own interests and goals.
Selecting a College Based on Your Majors Only
You might not believe it right now, but you could switch majors. It happens all the time – in fact it happens over 50% of the time. As a result, when thinking about universities, evaluate the various disciplines you prefer. Don’t limit yourself to colleges that only offer one program of study that matches your current idea of a major and career path. You should look for colleges that have programs in all your academic areas of interest and potential major fields.
Missing Deadlines
Applying to college involves meeting many deadlines, such as for tests, transcripts, recommendations, essays and forms. Missing any of these deadlines can jeopardize your chances of getting admitted or receiving financial aid. You should keep track of all the deadlines for each college you are applying to, and plan ahead to complete all the requirements on time. You can use a calendar, a planner or an app to help you stay organized and on schedule.
Don’t Overlook Colleges With a High Price Tag
Many students and parents assume that they can’t afford certain colleges based on their sticker prices, however, there are many forms of financial aid available, such as scholarships, grants, loans and work-study programs, that can reduce the actual cost of attendance. Apply to colleges that match your academic and personal interests, and then compare their financial aid offers to see which ones are affordable for you.
Don’t Lie
Some students may be tempted to lie or exaggerate on their college applications to impress the admissions officers. This is a big mistake that can backfire in many ways. You may be caught and rejected, or you may end up at a college that is not a good fit for you. Honesty is always the best policy when it comes to applying to college. Be yourself and showcase your strengths, achievements and passions.
Do Not Use AI to Write Your Essays
The various AI systems that can generate content are indeed amazing, have their place, and are even fun to use. But do not use them for your college essays. To end up with a good school match for yourself, it is you that needs to be represented, and that is not going to happen if you use AI to create your college essays. Put in the work.
Gather Recommendations
Recommendations are an important part of your college application, as they provide an outside perspective on your academic and personal qualities. You should choose your recommenders carefully, and ask them well in advance if they are willing and able to write you a positive letter. You should also provide them with relevant information about yourself and your goals, and thank them for their time and effort.
Rushing the Process
Finding the right college takes time and effort, not to mention research and an often-lengthy application process. Waiting until the last minute or just not putting in the effort is never a good idea. It takes the most important factor out of the equation — you. You should start your college search early and explore your options thoroughly.
6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
We scoured the Internet to see what people had to say about gas station food. If you think the only things available are wrinkled hotdogs of indeterminate age, and day-glow slushies, we’ve got great, tasty news for you. Whether it ends up being part of a regular routine, or your only resource on a long car trip, we have the food info you need. Let’s look at 6 gas stations that folks can’t get enough of and see what they have for you to eat. Read 6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
18 of the World’s Deadliest Foods: How Many Are You Eating?
Whether you eat to live, or live to eat, let’s make sure you live to see another day! These are some of the world’s deadliest foods. They can bring on extreme symptoms, ranging from paralysis to seizures, choking and even death, so don’t go tucking these into your lunchbox. Click for 18 of the World’s Deadliest Foods: How Many Are You Eating?
10 Of The Worst Tasting Drinks People Pretend To Like
Hold onto your taste buds, because we’re about to embark on a flavor-filled adventure through the realm of beverages! Sure, we all need water to survive, but let’s be real – drinks are so much more than just basic hydration. Recently, the question of which beverages people secretly think taste awful sparked a fiery debate. Boozy elixirs, non-alcoholic refreshments, and everything in between were thrown into the mix. Brace yourself as we unveil the truth behind the drinks we pretend to love. Get ready for a wild ride of taste revelations! Read 10 Of The Worst Tasting Drinks People Pretend To Like
14 Of The Craziest Hacks People Use Mayonnaise For – Even In The Bedroom!
After you click through this slide show you will never look at a jar of mayo the same way again. Trust us. Click for 14 Of The Craziest Hacks People Use Mayonnaise For – Even In The Bedroom!
Take Back Control: How to Identify and Tackle Medical Gaslighting
What is medical gaslighting? Medical gaslighting refers to a situation in which healthcare providers dismiss or diminish the symptoms that an individual is experiencing, attempting to persuade them that the symptoms are attributed to an alternative cause or are mere figments of their imagination. Medical gaslighting can leave you questioning your own experience. And at worse can lead to undiagnosed serious illness.
Learn the signs and the ways in which you can take back control if this happens to you. Read: Take Back Control: How to Identify and Tackle Medical Gaslighting
Don’t Fall For These 17 Foods That Pretend To Be Healthy
Have you heard the term “Dr. Google”? That’s when you turn to search engines and the Internet to provide health and medical information – and unless you know how to vet sources, it is a mine field of faulty information. Here are 17 foods that you might have heard are “healthy”, but we have the whole story. PS: the moment a food becomes a trend, research carefully. We’re looking at you bulletproof coffee!
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17 Of The Most Expensive Foods In The World: Would You Pay This Much To Eat Any Of These?
These days our food budget is not going very far, even for everyday foods. And yet, there are still those who seek out extravagant foods, regardless of price. I guess we can live vicariously through these pictures. Maybe someday someone will bestow a 4-pound white truffle upon us, but until then, this will have to suffice.
Click for 17 Of The Most Expensive Foods In The World: Would You Pay This Much To Eat Any Of These?
19 Of The World’s Most Overrated Foods
We have foods we love, and those we won’t touch. We all have our own likes and dislikes, but what are the most overrated foods? That was the question posed on this Reddit thread by Even_Cause_3478. There were a lot of opinions. Some made sense to us, and some were things we had never thought of before!
What is the most overrated food in your opinion?
Click for 19 Of The World’s Most Overrated Foods
Miracle at 30,000 Feet: What Happens When a Baby is Born During a Flight?
Have you ever wondered What Happens If You Give Birth On a Plane? Who delivers the baby? Where do you deliver the baby? What is the child’s citizenship, and do they get free trips for life?
Is Cash Still King In Your Life? 13 Reasons People Still Carry Cash
Cash. It never used to be controversial, but these days it appears that there are those on both sides of the coin (so to speak). For those of us of a certain age we can remember our mothers always telling us to keep a $20 bill in our shoe or bra, in case of emergencies. Now many of us struggle to find a coin to put in the meter.
Cash lovers, and those who never carry it. What’s the reasoning, either way? A Redditor was thinking the same thing, and asked the question, Do You Still Carry Cash? These are the answers they got. Read Is Cash Still King In Your Life? 13 Reasons People Still Carry Cash
