Choosing the college that's right for you

by Mandee Heller Adler, president of International College Counselors

From New York to Miami, college counselors know that choosing the college you’re going to go to is not easy. Seriously, how many high schoolers really know what profession they want to pursue? But give yourself credit. You’ve gotten over 30,000 college and universities down to a few choices.

Now we’re down to the final answer.

Our Miami college experts say, to make it easier, you’ve got to consider the BIG two:

1. Will the experience fit you? Will you be comfortable there? Does it offer the curriculum you want and have the kind of people with whom you can make friends?

2. Will you be able to get a good paying job after college, or will you be able to get into your graduate school of choice?

A college is not necessarily the right one for you because its name is familiar. That may appear painfully obvious, but many students correlate educational quality with the big name recognition.

To figure out if you’re a good fit for a college, you must visit the schools. Invite family members to go with because it gives you an extra point of view and people with whom you can discuss your impressions.

Trust your gut as well as the facts. If everything you’ve researched says the school is a big, impersonal party school, it most likely, most definitely will be.

Also remember, if you really truly believe you made the wrong choice after a year or two, you can always transfer.

International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, lead college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her wide range of college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each individual student, whether Florida college or Ivy League university. Our college advising company, based in Miami-Dade, Florida, works with domestic and international students. We also work with high schools. Our college counselors are in Miami, Boca, Broward and Palm Beach. Let us help you make the best decisions choosing, getting into, and paying for college.