The Foreign Service Journal, June 2016

64 JUNE 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT institutions (over 2,000 offering four-year degrees) in the United States. Schools offer a wide variety of programs and ser- vices, and some will work for the type of student you are and others will not. Do’s Choosing the right handful of schools is a mammoth task, but to narrow down your list, think about what Grappo terms your “unique needs.” Bracken suggests you “reflect on where your strengths and weaknesses lie. And also on what truly interests you. It’s okay to have more than one interest.” Grappo also encourages students to be honest with themselves and their parents about their interests and abilities. A good way to start asking the right questions is by visiting colleges. Bracken recommends students visit all types of colleges including big, small, private, public, in-state and out-of-state, with an open mind. This can obviously be difficult for For- eign Service families posted overseas. But college is a huge investment, and finding a college that is a good fit can ultimately save you money and mental anguish. By visiting a variety of colleges, you can form a clear picture of what you want and also conduct the ultimate test— whether you can picture yourself living a happy, productive life at a particular school. If it’s not possible to visit a college you are interested in, try the following options: check whether the institution offers virtual tours, look for issues of the college newspaper online and search for student blogs that can help you form a realistic view of what that school has to offer. Remember also to be realistic in terms of how likely you are to get into highly competitive schools. Even for straight “A” students with high standardized test scores, Ivy League universities and other top schools should always be considered “reach” schools because of the abun- dance of applications they receive. Building Your Application Don’ts Don’t pad your resumé with activities and clubs in which you did not actively participate. Grappo says that “students