Today's entry is dedicated to finding the right "fit" in an institution of higher learning. Hence the Richard Simmons visual pun. I know, it's lame and cheesy, just like "Disco Sweat."On Saturday, my friends held a party themed "Because there are only 78 days until graduation." Many of my fellow seniors are waiting to hear back from medical schools, law schools, graduate programs, and job opportunities. It's a bittersweet time: as much as we're all looking forward to whatever the future has in store for us, we know we'll miss Tufts, the collegiate lifestyle, and all the friends we've accumulated during our four years on the hill.
Embarking on the job search process, I find myself ruminating on what many of the Tufts admissions officers stress in their information sessions: "FIT MATTERS." It's important for you to select the college or university where you can excel, just as it's imperative that graduating seniors make wise professional choices. A prestigious job title or shiny college bumper sticker alone won't guarantee you happiness. You have to actively look for the environment where you can thrive and be comfortable. Ultimately, that's the occupation or college campus where you will shine brightest.
No Ouija Board, Magic 8 Ball, algorithm, or college guidebook will be able to definitively tell you whether or not a respective college or university is the perfect personal fit. So, in addition to the myriad stats you've been absorbing while looking at schools--median SAT range, applicant acceptance ratio, average classroom size, number of computers in the library, etc.--be sure to place equal importance on that "quality of life" quotient. It's going to vary from person to person and from institution to institution, but this barometer of future contentment is the "gut feeling" that tells you whether or not you'd be happy somewhere.Sure, the college you're touring may have x number of Rhodes scholars and y square feet of linoleum per freshman double. But do you feel comfortable walking around campus? Do you think you could make friends there? Are there enough cultural and extracurricular events and activities to sustain your interest? Is the surrounding environment stimulating? Would you be comfortable with the dominant forms of social life? Is this the type of place that you'd be happy to call home for four years?
I can't claim that Tufts University is a panacea for every high school senior. It's been a great fit for me personally, but no single institution in the world is perfect for everyone. Every college or university has its own unique attributes, and the college search process is all about sorting out the puzzle pieces and discovering which one fits you best.
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