This time of year glossy, thick papered brochures in big 8.5″ x 11″ envelopes, with personalized letters from colleges in far off places–like North Dakota and Ohio–as well as more known places, like Los Angeles or Seattle, begin arriving by the mailbox full to high school seniors all over the country; not to overlook the daily emails appearing in spam and inbox folders–sometimes multiple emails (with different messages) from the same college. This is before seniors (and their parents) pick up whole forests full (I mean reams of paper full) of brochures, bookmarks, letters, applications, ball point pens and lanyards from the 10 college fairs they attend throughout the fall.
Where does all this paper end up?
Usually, the dining room table or underneath a pile of clothes on a senior’s bedroom floor…until it gets thrown in the recycling–dusty and unopened.
So, how do we sort, then use the information coming to us? First, know what you want and don’t want in a college. Here’s some examples: Location, Academic major, Greek life, A Division I Football team, weather (i.e. snow). Recycle any brochures or delete emails that don’t immediately fit this criteria. Second, separate the remaining brochures or emails into different categories; some suggestions: 1) meets 3 of my 5 top criteria & I need more information; 2) Something grabbed my attention and I will get more information; 3) My mom or dad would want me to apply here and I need more information. Third, see the pattern? How to get more information is another blog post–at least, you’ve got a priority categorizing of what colleges to start researching first. And, your dining room table has more room for your upcoming science project.
