How I Found the Right Match

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.

Najee Hassell
University of St. Thomas
Her Approach: A transplant from Arkansas (her parents still live there), Hassell was a junior attending Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis when she started researching and visiting schools. By March of her senior year, she had applied to St. Thomas, Hamline University, University of Minnesota, Central College, Jackson State University, University of Memphis, Clark Atlanta University, and Southwest Minnesota State University. She was admitted to all, but by May had decided on St. Thomas.

Considerations: Class size, location, majors, and scholarship opportunities were factors. Hassell originally saw herself in a premed program (she’s now deciding between nursing and a business major), so finding schools with this option was important. Also, St. Thomas offered a four-year scholarship that pays for all of her tuition. A $500 scholarship from the YMCA, financial aid (including a $900 loan), on-campus jobs at Scooters and The Grill, and a seasonal job at Marshall Fields help cover her other expenses.

Essential Resource: Admission Possible, a program that helps low-income students with their college search, was Hassell’s lifeline. They helped her fill out applications, navigate the financial aid and scholarship paper trail, organize campus visits, and practice for the ACT. “Without them I wouldn’t be where I’m at,” she says.

Dan Sederstrom
University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
His Approach: It was easy for Sederstrom to quickly narrow down a list of colleges—only those schools with an architecture major made the cut. He considered Iowa State University and Arizona State University, but by October of his senior year at Rosemount High School, he knew the University of Minnesota was where he’d go. “The U of M just fits me well. After visiting friends at different colleges, I can’t picture myself at any other place.”

Considerations: He liked that the U of M would put him far enough away from home in Inver Grove Heights, but not too far. Also, he liked the mix of students and the big-city feel of the urban campus. “There are so many different kinds of people here; it’s very welcoming. There’s a lot to learn education-wise, but there’s also a lot of things you can learn about people.”

What Dad Had to Say: Dad Leonard was most worried about being able to pay for the school that his son selected. As it turns out, Sederstrom’s scholarship from the U pays for $2,000 a year; a handful of scholarships from outside groups also help defray costs.