How to Choose the Perfect College for You.

Summary

In this video, the speaker offers five key tips for high school students to consider when choosing the right college. The advice includes sourcing opinions from people with real college experience, setting aside teenage biases for long-term thinking, evaluating college reputation beyond rankings, visiting campuses to trust your intuition, and considering the financial investment of college. The video emphasizes making informed, thoughtful decisions about college that will benefit students in both the short and long term, with an emphasis on finding the best fit for their personal and professional future.

Takeaways

• 😀 Be sure to source advice from others who have real experience with colleges, such as alumni or current students, to get a clearer understanding of what the college experience is like.
• 😀 Teenagers should set aside their personal biases when choosing a college and think about long-term impact, considering what will benefit their future selves.
• 😀 Avoid making college decisions based solely on personal preferences or limited exposure (like one dull info session) — consider all factors objectively for a long-term perspective.
• 😀 Reputation matters in college selection, not just for the school overall but also for specific programs or departments. Look at diverse rankings and data points beyond just the top 50 schools.
• 😀 College visits can be useful, but they are just a 'sales pitch' for the school. While they might help you connect with a school, they should not be the sole factor in your decision-making process.
• 😀 Trust your intuition during a college visit, but don't dismiss a school just because you didn't like the tour — sometimes the feeling you get from a campus visit can be very telling.
• 😀 College is a major investment, so consider the cost and potential return on investment (ROI). Think about your future earning potential and whether the degree is worth the cost of tuition and other expenses.
• 😀 Reach out to others who have experienced the financial burden of college, including student loans and debt. Get their perspective on whether attending a particular school was worth the cost.
• 😀 College decisions should be based on future goals, not just personal preferences in the moment. Think about where you’ll be in 10-20 years and how a particular college might serve you long-term.
• 😀 Use digital platforms like Quora and Reddit to ask questions and read experiences from others who have attended the schools you’re considering, especially if you're unfamiliar with a particular college.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on how to choose the right college, offering tips and advice for seniors making college decisions, as well as younger students preparing for their future college choice.

Why does the speaker recommend sourcing advice from others?

The speaker suggests sourcing advice from people with real college experience because current high school students may not fully understand what will benefit their future selves. By learning from others' experiences, students can make more informed decisions.

How does the speaker suggest overcoming teenage biases in college decision-making?

The speaker advises students to think long-term and imagine who they will be in the future, rather than focusing on the immediate, teenage perspective. This helps in making decisions that will be beneficial over the course of their adult life.

What mistake did the speaker make when choosing a college at 16?

At 16, the speaker dismissed Ivy League schools based on a negative experience at an information session. This decision was made based on short-term feelings rather than considering long-term benefits and personal growth.

How can reputation influence the college decision process?

Reputation can guide decisions by providing insight into a school's overall quality and the long-term value it might offer. It's important to consider reputation not just from rankings, but also from the perspective of specific programs or departments.

What is the 'Kool-Aid' of a college, and why is it important?

The 'Kool-Aid' of a college refers to the promotional material or idealized image presented during college tours. While college visits can be helpful in assessing fit, it's crucial to remember that these tours offer a curated view of the school.

Why should students trust their intuition during a college visit?

Trusting intuition during a visit is important because it helps students assess how they feel on campus and whether the environment feels like a good fit for them personally. It can be a useful indicator of whether a college is the right place for them.

What role does financial investment play in the college decision-making process?

Financial investment plays a significant role, as students need to consider the costs of college and how they will pay for it. It's important to weigh the potential return on investment, including job prospects after graduation and long-term financial stability.

What does the speaker recommend regarding the US News and World Report rankings?

The speaker advises against focusing solely on the US News and World Report rankings. Instead, students should consider a variety of reputation factors, such as specific programs, return on investment, and graduation rates, to find the best fit.

How does the speaker suggest students evaluate a college's reputation?

The speaker suggests evaluating a college's reputation by looking at multiple factors, including specific department rankings, return on investment, and the success of alumni. This gives a more holistic view of what a school can offer.