<p>I narrowed down my choices to two LACs, and I’ve visited both of them over the last two weeks. I’ve been reading a lot that prospies should feel a “click” with that one special school, but I’m not sure if I did. What is it supposed to feel like? Like the college is home, like it’s where you can be for four years?</p>
<p>I’m sure everyone has a different feeling, or even story, so let’s hear it!</p>
<p>I don’t think the click necessarily happens with everyone. My brother had over five schools to choose from. He felt ambivalent about all of them and ended up saying, “Ehh, whatever. I’ll go where my best friend is going.” </p>
<p>I on the other hand, definitely had the click. I had researched my LAC online for hours and hours and hours because I was so in love with it. When I visited for the first time, I cried because everything just felt so “right.” I know, incredibly cheesy, but that’s what happened. </p>
<p>Don’t be worried if you didn’t experience the “click.” Some students just would be happy in many places, and that is great too. Just choose the one where you can most envision yourself living for four years. It’s a tough choice. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Adding that my brother was super happy where he went. He had a blast. So things will turn out fine!</p>
<p>We had a similar experience with my son’s school. The “click” was an inner knowing that this was the right place for my kid to be. Part way through the Open House, my kid turned to me and said, “I’m sold!”. After that event we went home and immediately turned down every other offer. There was no question in our minds. And yes, there were emotional moments as well.</p>
<p>Also, there were moments where we “unclicked” with some universities. We went on a number of campus tours and at one school with a global reputation for research, we were actually offended by the pompous presentations given by the professors. After that tour, as we closed the doors to our car on our way off campus, my kid turned to me and said, “Well, that school is off the list. Let’s get the heck outta here.”</p>
<p>Expecting a “click” is like expecting to fall in love at first sight. Sometimes it just doesn’t happen that way. After your visits you may not be certain it is “love”, but chances are that you will have a preference for one or the other. If all else is prett much equal, it really is OK to base your final choice on whatever criteria you feel like. Happykid dropped one place from her list because there wasn’t a Chinese supermarket in walking distance. I had no idea that steamed buns were so important for her!</p>
<p>Always apply to colleges where you can see yourself attending. Never apply to a school where you can’t see yourself attending. From reach to safety.</p>
<p>The click is usually something to do with the architecture, the student vibe. If you don’t have a particular “fancy” don’t worry…but just make sure its not based solely on prestige or something superficial. And never a school where you have a negative feeling.</p>
<p>On the other hand, when you move in, meet friends, start class everthing will fall into place. I wouldnt obsess too much about finding the perfect fit. Every school has warts and quirks. And there will be issues in the dorms no matter where you attend.</p>
<p>From the outside, the ‘click’ looks like someone falling in love at first sight. Not everyone does that (I don’t), but S visited 10 schools, liked them all well enough and then ‘clicked’ with the last one. As we drove away, he said, “This is it.” </p>
<p>He stayed ‘clicked’ for all four years - but unlike falling in love at first sight, in college you aren’t surrounded by the other college choices all the time.</p>
<p>Click schmick . . . sometimes that happens, sometimes it doesn’t.</p>
<p>The nice thing is that for almost all kids I’ve seen apply to colleges in the last few years they would have been happy and thriving at any number of schools . . in other words, they could not go wrong.</p>
<p>And the same with you . . .</p>
<p>First – it doesn’t happen for everyone. If it doesn’t for you, don’t worry.</p>
<p>For my daughters – it was like being ‘home’</p>
<p>Most would find scores of colleges just fine. You are very adaptable and that is a good trait to have/learn.</p>