First-generation and underserved students have different college considerations than other college-bound students. Often such students seek a college close to home—even opting to live at home while attending college, have financial barriers that perceivably limit their options, or seek flexible college schedules that allow the student to maintain a job or tend to their family. All of these are valid considerations.
But college is a time to take risks. It’s your transition to adulthood and the beginning steps in paving your life path. You should aim high in your college search and not limit your options. Here’s a few Do’s and Don'ts to guide your college search:
DO your research. Decide what characteristics you desire in a college—location, size, academic rigor, fields of study, etc. Then find schools that match those criteria by conducting a search on CSO College Center and visiting school websites.
DON’T be afraid to venture far from home. Colleges are supportive and nurturing environments that quickly become one’s second home. While you’ll undoubtedly miss your family, asserting your independence and experiencing a residential collegiate experience will pay off in the long run.
DON’T let the sticker price of a college deter you. It is easy to think your local community college or state school is the only affordable option. But leading colleges and universities do want you on their campus and can offer the necessary financial aid and scholarship opportunities to make it happen.
DO visit a variety of schools of all shapes and sizes. Meet students, sit in on a class, and visit the admissions office. When you set foot on the right campus, you’ll get the feeling that, “This is the place I belong.”
