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Now is the time to start finding the perfect college

Mendenwaldt

As the leaves change colors and the new school year begins, it is time for college bound high school juniors and seniors to begin the college match process.

The more information a student can gather about perspective colleges, the better their chances are to discover the college where they will be the happiest and therefore the most successful.

It is not about finding the best college; it’s about finding the right college. There are more than 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States alone. The average student generally applies to between four and eight colleges. Research and guidance can help students narrow their list.

The best way to learn information about a college is to visit with admissions representatives. These individuals reach out to high schools across the United States, with the goal of helping students determine if a college is a good fit for you. They can speak intelligently about educational opportunities, housing, local recreation and, perhaps most important, financial-aid opportunities.

More valuable, this is an opportunity for students to meet the admissions officials who more than likely will be determining admission status to their college. This is your chance to make a great impression, develop a relationship and deepen your understanding of what life at this college can be like.

Upperclassmen who do not take advantage of these meetings are truly wasting a golden opportunity. Check with your high school’s college planning or counseling center to learn about these essential college visits. At Durango High School, we post this information on all entry doors and in our newsletters. Sign-up sheets are available in the counseling center to reserve your spot with an admissions representative.

These are just a few questions high school juniors and seniors should ask admissions officials who visit their schools:

What are the academic strengths of this college?

How many people are in an average freshmen class?

Can I change my major if I want to?

Extra-curricular activities – what are they, and can I get involved as a freshman?

Cost to me for one year? Four years? Are their scholarships available? Work-study?

Students who do not ask questions are not good applicants to a school! I have included a list of colleges whose representatives will be visiting DHS over the next two months. Please do not waste this valuable and free opportunity to meet admissions officials:

Cornell College, University of Colorado-Boulder, Penn State University, United States Air Force Academy, University of Oklahoma, Montana State University, Navy ROTC, University of California, Santa Barbara, U.S. Marines, U.S. Navy, University of Northern Colorado, Mount St.Mary’s College, Colorado College, College of William & Mary and the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.

Deborah Medenwaldt is the college and career coordinator and a senior counselor at Durango High School. Reach her at dmedenwaldt@durango.k12.co.us.



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