Too Early?

College Search & Lists
1

<p>I know there are already 23059872469236512862938613478153413566 threads about this, but am I starting my college search too early? I’m a rising junior, and I’ve pretty much got my list down to 16 colleges already, with some more I’ll most likely throw out. If anyone cares, here’s my list:</p>

<p>Ohio State University (Columbus)
Ohio Wesleyan University (they offered me $10k/year as a HS freshman)
Denison University
Muhlenberg College
Macalester College
Carleton College
Bucknell University
Brandeis University
Tufts University
Brown University
University of Chicago
Miami University (Oxford)
Boston University
Wesleyan University
Swarthmore College
American University</p>

<p>By the way, cost is a big issue. I need lots of financial aid / merit scholarships.</p>

<p>I’ve already made a pros and cons list for each of these colleges. Am I limiting my possibilities too much by making a list so early?</p>

2

<p>No, 'course not. You’re only widening your horizons. You know the base you need for each college. You can expand on this, and throw out colleges which don’t meet your criteria. Just my 2 cents.</p>

3

<p>as long as you keep an open mind when it comes to adding colleges to check out. i started looking early and i’m really glad i did. you should be fine.</p>

4

<p>As a rising junior now is when you do want to be looking at these things. That gives you time to possibly take a couple trips and visit campuses to see what you really want in a college. As long as you don’t shut off every college not already on your list you’ll be fine. For the next several months what specific college you want to look at is less important than what TYPE of college you want to look at.</p>

5

<p>Not really sure on type yet. I like the job recruitment opportunities from bigger schools, but I feel like I’d be lost with 38,000 other undergrads if I went to Ohio State. I guess Brown, UChicago, and Tufts are my top choices, but they’re so darned expensive. Most of the schools on my list guarantee to meet 100% of need, but that doesn’t mean they’ll give me a good financial aid package. My family’s income is about $60k/year, so even the $20k COA for OSU would be a stretch.</p>

<p>I also don’t want to go too far from home. That’s why all my colleges are in the Midwest or Northeast. A 10 hour drive is pretty much the limit for me. I’m not sure yet how many I’ll be able to visit.</p>

6

<p>Nah, I’m a rising Sophomore and I’ve narrowed down my search to 23! (10 schools I absolutely LOVE is what I’m shooting for)</p>

7

<p>Do you know if you’d like to be in a city or a college town? That would help you narrow it down.</p>

8

<p>Starting early isn’t bad. But be aware that what you want in a school may have changed drastically by the time you have to submit your applications a year from now.</p>

9

<p>as you get older, you’ll narrow it down</p>

10

<p>I started in like 8th grade reading college brochures in the library cause I was bored and now I’m a rising junior and am totally obsessed.</p>

<p>But I do have a total advantage over everyone in my class at school: “Is Princeton in Connecticut?” or “Who’s Kenyon?”</p>

<p>I already have my 7 schools that I want to go to… plus all the instate crapola that I have to apply to… haha</p>

<p>Yeah, to answer the title question
it is too early</p>

11

<p>I agree with what others have saidL starting now is certainly fine, and even beneficial, just be aware that your interests and such could change over the next year, and even into your senior year, so keep an open mind about what is on your list.</p>