Okay, you’re totally stressed. Time to put it all in perspective!

No college is perfect, and obsessing about finding it will make you crazy. Remember, the personal qualities that you bring to any school—drive, curiosity, creativity—are what matter most in your college education. You could go to an average school and become an amazing student leader who morphs into a CEO 5 years after graduation! A top state school could be so big you get lost in the crowd, even with a 4.0 average. You’re in charge…not just during the college search, but for everything that comes after. So look for a place that fits you best, not the other way around!