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3 Things Anyone Looking at College Needs to Know

Ask yourself…

  • Who are you right now?
  • Who do you want to be in the future?
  • What kind of school will get you to where you want to be in the future without compromising what you need right now?

These are 3 crucial questions to consider when thinking about going to college.  But how do you figure it all out without getting overwhelmed?

We’ve created a Free College Planning Guide that you can download and begin to fill out.  Follow these 5 easy steps to get started!

Step 1: Identify who you are and what you enjoy

“If you do what you love, you will never have to work a day in your life.” 

— Confucius

Start by asking yourself some simple questions:

  • What are your hobbies? Cooking? Yoga?  
  • What are you passionate about? Music?  Animals?  Helping others?
  • What do you enjoy? Video games?  Writing?
  • What makes you happy and relaxed? Acupuncture?  Massage? 

There are careers in each of these things. 

You can attend culinary school and become the chef you watch on The Food Channel. You can get a degree in game design and become the person who designs the next Fortnite. You can go to veterinary school to help treat and heal sick pets.

You can go to massage therapy school and become the massage therapist that you go to for your weekly sessions.

Identify what is important to you, then do some research, and we’ll bet there is a career path right for you. 

Put this in Column A of your Planning Guide.

college planning spreadsheet column a

Step 2: Identify schools that offer the training you need

Once you’ve identified what you would ideally love to do, it’s time to find out what kind of education/training/licensure you need to enter the field. Begin by researching to determine (1) what kind of education you need to get into the field and (2) which schools offer the program. 

For example, to be a doctor, you would need to first graduate from a 4-year college with a Bachelor’s degree, then take the MCAT and apply to med school, then complete 4 years of medical school, then another 3–7 years of residency.

To be a nurse, you can go to a 4-year college, or you can go directly to nursing school and graduate with a two-year degree or diploma from a general professional nursing program acceptable to the New York State Department of Education. 

To be a massage therapist, you must complete a recognized massage therapy program from an accredited institution (covering anatomy, physiology, massage techniques, and practical training) and then pass a State Board exam to get licensed and legally practice.

Plenty of online resources help you explore career possibilities and start your college search. A popular one is Big Future. Whatever tool you use, take your time to research as you begin to compile your short list of schools. Then, enter the school’s name and official website into your spreadsheet. (Ex: Swedish Institute: www.swedishinstitute.edu).

This information will go in Column B.

college planning spreadsheet column b

Step 3: Align your needs, goals, and values. 

What are must-haves, and what are nice-to-haves?

For example, location:

  • Do you want to stay close to home or use this as an opportunity to go somewhere far away? What kind of climate suits your lifestyle? (If you hate the cold and love to surf, Vermont is probably not for you). Do you want to live on campus or commute? (What is the daily travel time to/from class if you commute? What are the housing options if you want to live in a dorm?)

Campus atmosphere & extracurricular activities: 

  • Do you play sports and can’t imagine a school without fall football and tailgates? Do you love city life and can’t imagine not being a subway stop away from an off-Broadway show or a live music venue?

What can you not live without vs. what can you be flexible about?

These details will go in Column C.

Step 4: Mix & Match 

Take the list of schools in Column B and cross-reference it with your list of needs in Column C. Narrow down all the possibilities and create a manageable shortlist.

Put this information in Column D.

swedish institute admissions department. An admissions counselor works with a new student.

Step 5: VISIT! 

A campus visit is your opportunity to get a firsthand view of a school. A college catalog, brochure, or website can only show you so much. 

To really get a feel for the school, you need to set up a tour to walk the halls, see the action in the classroom, and talk to students, faculty, financial aid staff, and admissions officers.

Your family members can also participate in the visits and help you decide which colleges to apply to and which to attend. But in the end, it is your decision. Only you can know whether something feels like a good fit for you.

After visiting each school, reevaluate your goals and narrow down your school list. Note any follow-up questions or information you need to help you decide. (Put this information in Column E).

college planning spreadsheet column e

Take Action

The college search is about exploring who you are and what you want and then identifying schools/programs where you can meet both your long-term goals as well as your short-term needs. Find a school that matches your values and where you can thrive but also makes rational sense based on where you are – literally and figuratively – right now.

Click above to download Swedish Institute’s editable Free College Planning Guide and get started! Remember: this is a big decision, so share this guide with your family and friends or other influential people in your life to help you make the right decision for you!