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The Pilgrim College Guidance Blog

News, trends, insights, and the occasional self-indulgent fluff piece

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The Most Common “Deal Breakers” When Choosing a College
Benjamin Lah Benjamin Lah

The Most Common “Deal Breakers” When Choosing a College

I recently visited New York City for vacation. Whenever I’m in town, I always visit the places I used to frequent when I was a grad student on the Upper West Side. I have very fond memories of my brief time there, to say the least. What’s funny is that when I applied to college many years ago, I had completely ruled out New York City or really any city that felt intimidating to me. Maybe it was the fear of the unfamiliar or my sheltered suburban upbringing, but I really can’t recall why I didn’t consider certain colleges or parts of the country. Of course, I didn’t have the access to information that high school students have today, but I have to admit that much of my information was based on my own perceptions. And maybe I wouldn’t have been able to handle Gramercy Park, but I still occasionally think about what I missed out on. When I meet with students, the topic of “deal breakers” comes up all the time, so I’d like to address some of the recurring topics. It’s not my intention to change anyone’s mind, but maybe this is an opportunity to change your own perceptions in a way that I never did.

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Shouldn’t All Colleges Change Lives? Creating Your College List
Benjamin Lah Benjamin Lah

Shouldn’t All Colleges Change Lives? Creating Your College List

I’m a huge fan of the Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL). If you aren’t familiar, these colleges are usually non-household names, but their smaller environments allow for a more intimate college experience. Their relatively higher admit rates belie the quality of education students receive. So why aren’t they more popular? I suppose there are just so many options out there that considering colleges with more of a regional appeal might be a stretch. I bring this up because all colleges change lives to some degree. The college experience coincides with a formative time in a young adult’s life and of course, there’s the value of the college degree itself. However, the significance of college seems to have been overlooked or at least underdiscussed over the last few years as the admissions landscape has become what it is. The life-changing aspect of college has been overshadowed by application numbers and the strategic element of the application process.

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