In the world of college admissions, it’s travel season!

This time of year, counselors across the country are packing suitcases full of college materials to share with you, the high school student, at college fairs and at high schools themselves. I’m sure it can be aggravating, stressful, overwhelming (you pick the adjective) as you try to sift through information while also concentrating on your life, school work, job, athletics, clubs and organizations, family, etc. My advice: don’t let it be.

These are opportunities that you should take full advantage of and have fun with in the process. In an ideal world, you would be able to visit every college or university you ever thought of to get a feel for what the environment is like – and when you narrow down your choices, this should be a must on your to-do list. But, at the beginning of the school year, it may not be feasible for you to get away and conduct campus visits.

So, soak up the next best option and embrace those schools that are coming to you in your backyard. Listen to representatives from the various institutions that come to your high schools and ask questions. Go to the local college fair where representatives are waiting to share information with you. This will allow you to start building pros and cons lists and ultimately narrow down those schools you want to focus on, apply to, visit and ultimately enroll in.

Over the next few months you will be deciding where you will be spending the next few years of your foreseeable future. That sounds daunting, but it will be exciting! I know the college counselors coming your way are eager to talk to you about the opportunities ahead and I hope you share in their enthusiasm. Let the search begin!

Miles Vida, another Gannon enrollment advisor, has a lot to say about the admissions process, too. Check it out here!