Page 2 - KnightTime News Winter 2018

KNIGHTtime News
GUIDING YOUR COLLEGE PROCESS
By Matt Mettille
As the college counseling team continues to work with the juniors in the college process, many students are beginning the exciting search for colleges that are a good match for their academic, personal, and social goals.
We often hear families say, “Where do I begin?” We feel that before all else, the best place to start is taking time to reflect. Time and time again, we meet with students who are thinking about the college process and attempting to find the right fit in the wrong way. A student starts
Starting the
COLLEGE SEARCH
“IF STUDENTS STARTED BY REFLECTING ON THEIR OWN EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY, IT MIGHT HELP THEM INFORM GOOD COLLEGE MATCHES.“
the meeting by saying, “I want to
go to ______ College/University,” which happens to be a highly-ranked school with a single digit admit
rate where many Menlo students apply. When asked why they think it’s a good match, it is often hard
for the student to come up with
a substantive reason other than prestige. We’d love for a student to
come in and say, “I want to find a college that has small classes where I’ll get to know my professors. I’m also looking for a school that offers flexibility in the curriculum so I can explore my interests in politics and computer science as well as one with excellent opportunities for research, Division I sports, and an engaged student body. What colleges would you suggest?”This doesn’t happen as much as we wish it would. If students started by reflecting on their own educational journey, it might help them inform good college matches.
Students, here are some questions to ask yourself as you start your search:
1Would you like a change of scenery? Are you comfortable taking a plane to and from college to get home? Is it okay to be in a different time zone? Do you hope to go to college with people mostly from outside of California?
2