Which Schools Will Make Your Final Four?
March Madness is here, and many sports fanatics have already created their brackets for the NCAA tournament. In the spirit of basketball season, the KD team has built a college decision bracket template designed to help students narrow down college choices.
You can access your free college decision bracket download by filling out the form below. It’s a challenge to predict which college will foster the best environment for you after high school, so we’ve also included a few quick tips on how to maximize your options.
GUIDE FOR FILLING OUT A COLLEGE DECISION BRACKET
Building a Balanced College List
This college decision bracket is meant to serve as a fun way to help narrow down your college choices. You can even use it as a tool for making your final college decision. However, there are a few quick guidelines to keep in mind when completing your bracket.
First, you’ll want to make sure you’re building a balanced college list. For example, if you’re only applying to the top 10 colleges according to U.S. News & World Report, then you’re going to miss out in the long run. Your college list should be based on you—your academic profile, career plans, financial situation, and desired college experience. Rankings can serve as a starting point, but there are many other factors that you should consider. Choose schools that fit these categories: Likely, Match, and Reach. We find that students find the best outcomes when they build a balanced college list.
Comparing College Options
After filling out the first tiers of your bracket, it’s time to start comparing schools. Obviously, when comparing a college that accepted you against one that didn’t, there is a clear winner. But as you progress through the bracket, determining a best fit will become harder.
If you find yourself struggling with choosing between schools, ask yourself questions (see list in downloadable template) to determine the things that matter most. You can also read about factors that helped other students make their college choices. In the end, you’ll have to decide on winners for each tier in the bracket.
Final Decision Round
When you get to your final decision round, you may need to take another look at everything that a college can offer you (usually at this point you’ve had the option to evaluate how scholarships and financial aid will fit into the equation). Just like in the Final Four, a college should not win by name alone. It has to prove to you that it deserves to be your top choice.
For some students, they have a dream college that has made slam dunks throughout the whole college research process. For others, they struggle with making a decision, especially if they’ve been put on waitlists or deferred for another college that they’d really like to attend. Sometimes it helps to have expert guidance on how to make the best choice for your unique circumstances.
Need Help Preparing for College?
The college admissions process is stressful and complicated, and it can be hard to make a decision on your own. At KD College Prep, we offer college counseling programs to help students navigate through every step, including how to research colleges, build a college list, or make a final decision.
If you need additional guidance on how to help your teen reach his/her college goals or would like to learn more about our programs, schedule a free consultation with a member of our team.
