Why this college?
This may seem a simple question, but the answer rarely is. Most high school students don’t know what they want to do when they grow up. But remember, you’re choosing a college, not a major. Selecting the best college is just as much a process of learning about yourself as it is about prospective schools.
After graduation, you may not know what career you want to pursue, but certainly, you know what your interests are and what you’re good at. Thinking this through will help you figure out if you’re leaning towards liberal arts or a technical field.
Get a grasp on other factors too. Self-reflection will also help you. Do you want to attend a large or small school? Far away or close to home? Expensive or affordable? As you ask yourself these questions, you will begin to have a better understanding of your own priorities.
It may even be possible that you’re not quite ready for college yet. You may want to take a year off, but make sure that you spend it wisely. Other countries have a tradition of students taking a year after high school to travel, work or volunteer. This is not a tradition in the United States, so you want to make sure you do something productive with your time. When you finally do apply for colleges, they will want to know what you did with your free time during the prime of your life.