How I Found the Right Match

January 2006 Special Advertising Section

Carlos Castelán
University of St. Thomas
His Approach: Castelán, now nineteen, didn’t begin a serious college search until he was a senior at Cretin-Derham Hall. He visited Claremont McKenna College in California (“It looked like a great school—challenging, great location, and very diverse”) and also several campuses in Minnesota. Applications went out to St. John’s University, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Thomas, Carleton College, and Claremont McKenna—and he was admitted to all five.

Considerations: Location played a big part in Castelán’s decision. Choosing St. Thomas meant he could stay close to his family. He can easily grab dinner at his parents’ St. Paul home, and if he ever finds himself needing a ride, his younger brother is just a phone call away. St. Thomas’s small class sizes and urban setting were also pluses, as was knowing he could play on the soccer team. Cost was another factor, but Castelán’s parents urged him to consider this last. Still, St. Thomas proved to be a good financial match—his tuition is being paid by a four-year scholarship.

Essential Resources: The Princeton Review (princetonreview.com), which ranks colleges based on a variety of factors, including academics, demographics, and extracurricular activities, was a big help. But visiting campuses to get a feel for the type of school and its students was the most effective resource. “I was surprised at how different colleges and their students are,” he says.

Jenna Strank
St. Olaf College
Her Approach: Since Strank was in the fourth grade, her mom has made trips to college campuses part of family vacations. But it wasn’t until her junior year in high school that Strank got serious about a search. Her campus visits took her to Michigan State University, University of Michigan, University of Colorado, Colorado State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Notre Dame, Stanford University, Duke University, University of North Carolina, University of Kansas, University of Minnesota, Macalester College, Gustavus Adolphus College, and St. Olaf. But in the end, it came down to just two—Gustavus Adolphus and St. Olaf—and she applied to both.

Considerations: Strank wanted to attend a Minnesota school that was well-known for its academics, had a strong science program, and small classes. Ultimately, she decided on St. Olaf because of its proximity to her hometown of Apple Valley.

Essential Resources: Her high school guidance counselor, who helped her pinpoint what she was looking for, was a great resource as was The Princeton Review. All those campus visits were helpful as well, but only after she had narrowed down her list of schools. Before then, the tours were just too overwhelming or, in some cases, disappointing if she was matched with an ill-informed campus guide.