As you really begin to think about applying to college, take time to think about yourself.  Think about your goals, your likes and dislikes, your abilities and your resources.

• What subjects interest me?
• What do I want to be?
• Do I want to continue my education after high school?
• Do I need to go to college for this career?

• Do I want to live away from home?  If so, how far away?
• How important is it that friends go to the same college that I attend?
• Am I comfortable around a lot of people at the same time?
• Do I want to be with different kinds of people or people just like me?
• Would I prefer a city, the suburbs, small towns, or rural areas?
• What kind of weather do I like or does it matter to me?
• Do I have any special concerns (religious, special customs, dietary, and so forth)?
• Which activities are most important to me (arts, sports, clubs, and so forth)?
• Do I want to play sports when I am in college?
• Which special opportunities are important to me (study abroad, independent study, exchange programs, and so forth)?

• What kind of student am I?
• What are my strongest and weakest subjects?
• Do I have any special needs (medical, disabilities, learning, and so forth)?
• How are my study skills?
• How well do I handle competition and pressure?
• What are my special talents?

• Are there limits to what I can pay for college?
• Will my family be able to help me?
• Can I go to college full-time if I want?
• How will I get to classes (live on campus, drive, public transportation, and so forth)?

Source of all information:  Greenfield, B.C. & Weinstein, R.A. (2005) The Kids’ College Almanac.  JIST Works, Indianapolis, IN.
(Permission to copy granted by JIST Works.)