If I could pick one strategy to help virtually any student enjoy a more successful, less stressful college search, it would be to spend the time to find the right schools. If you’re a junior who hopes to start college in the fall after you finish high school, the time for your college search is now.
Finding the right colleges to apply to is a process. You have to take the time to think about what you want from a college. You have to look around and do your research. You have to go to college fairs, visit some colleges and ask your counselor and your parents for advice. You’ll have to trust your gut about which schools are really right (or wrong for you). And you must have faith that all this looking and thinking will pay off in the end. That’s the way big, life-changing decisions work. That’s also why it’s best to not wait until senior year to seriously think about where to apply.
Start now. You’ll enjoy the search without feeling rushed. You’ll have a good chance of finalizing your list by the end of your junior year (so you can start your applications and essays over the summer). You’ll probably finish your applications earlier, too. But most importantly, you’ll find the right schools where you’re likely to get in, likely to get financial aid, and likely to find your perfect college fit once you get there.