College Choice: Attitude Is Key

Recently I had an opportunity to listen to a panel of college students talk about their college admissions experiences. The high schoolers and parents in the audience heard many valuable insights from this diverse group of college admissions "survivors." One of the most important was that in some ways, college choice almost doesn't matter—students can get a great education at many schools, but having the right attitude is key.

So what is the right attitude? It's recognizing that a school's rank or popularity has nothing to do with whether the school will be a good choice for you. Even the most prestigious colleges have dissatisfied students who would have been happier elsewhere.

It's also being open-minded about the school you end up attending if it wasn't your first choice. Although getting past the disappointment of being rejected by a college you've fallen in love with can be difficult, focusing on the reasons why you applied to the school you're going to can help you move on and enjoy your college experience.

Finally, having the right attitude means finding out exactly what your school has to offer and taking advantage of those things. Joining clubs that sound fun, signing up for interesting courses, and planning for study abroad will get you involved with your school quickly and make you feel part of your new community.

And if, for some reason, you still end up feeling that you'd be happier elsewhere—perhaps at a bigger school with more course offerings or in a sunnier or more urban location—you can always transfer. But having the right attitude to begin with can go a long way toward increasing the chances that the college you start off at is the one you graduate from—happily—four years later.