Whether you are in your junior year or younger, the college search and exploration process has either begun or perhaps you are thinking about starting. At Campus Bound, we know some students can feel overwhelmed, not quite knowing where to start, while others have clear and direct visions of what they want. No matter where you are in your process, Campus Bound counselors are here to help.  

Here are five common questions that are helpful for all students:

1. Why do you want to go to college? This might seem like an odd question, but this process is about being thoughtful. What excites you about going to college?  What are you looking for in this next chapter? When you understand “your why,” it helps individualize your process. 
2. What do you want to study? Let’s not forget the first purpose of college is to get an education. If you are unsure, we have career interest-aptitude tests to determine some possible courses of action. We help students explore their interests as majors play a big role in where you apply as well as the impact of admissions selectively. 
3. Do you care about location? How close to home do you want to be? If you are considering going out of state, have you considered the logistics of getting to campus– car or plane? How far is the airport? Also, what about being in or near a city or perhaps a more rural location? Counselors review the importance of visits and demonstrate interest with students when building a balanced list. 
4. Have you discussed the cost/budget at home? Your counselor will help guide you when it comes to finding a college that might offer you merit scholarships, and yes, you might also consider applying for financial aid, but when we cannot guarantee these financial pieces.  It’s important to consider the cost of the colleges you are considering. 
5. What else do you want your ideal college to have? Visualize the college experience and what the students, activities and educational experiences are like. Maybe that’s Greek Life, or studying abroad.  Perhaps, small class sizes, or undergraduate research opportunities appeal to you.  Whatever it might be, factor it in your preferences!

These are just a few of the many questions you can begin asking yourself to prepare for your the college search and exploration process ahead. At Campus Bound, we ask these questions and many more, and guide our students to find the best college matches.