What do you get when you compare apartment hunting with applying to colleges? Uncanny similarities.
Last summer I began what I like to call, an apartment hunting rampage. I was looking for a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment with my older sister who had just graduated from Marymount and was working two blocks from main campus (definitely a perk of an urban school). She, as the older sister, took the lead on the search and application process for which I will be forever grateful. Even with my sister carrying most of the load, it was still one of the most daunting processes I have ever been through. The only comparison I can give to this experience? Choosing the right college.
Searching
If you do a cold search of apartment buildings, you will most likely be inundated with results. It is certainly overwhelming and takes a lot of introspection to figure out what you want, what your deal breakers are, and what your future goals might be. The same thing happens when you start looking for colleges and universities. Make sure that you take a step back, breathe, and make a game plan before you even start the process. If you can narrow down your search by even just one category, such as location, you will have a much smaller pool of choices which will ultimately make your decision process easier.
Visiting
You shouldn’t ever trust the pictures on the apartment building’s website. The site is a marketing tool that is meant as an ideal representation. Instead, visit the building and ask for a tour for a room that matches your preference, as well as the laundry room, pool, and other amenities they brag about. This also goes for college visits. You will get bombarded with literature that has pictures of the university’s best and brightest. (I know because I work in admissions and I’m featured in the advertising materials). You can never know for sure if something is a good decision for you until you see it for yourself. Once you’re there is may just feel right. Other times? Not so much.
Applying
You will have to deal with long, tedious applications that ask for information that seems completely irrelevant or redundant. On top of that you’re going to have an application fee, which is primarily used for a credit check. Your credit score is a lot like an SAT score, meaning that a low number may hurt your chances of getting in. For your first apartment, you’ll need a co-signer to essentially vouch for you and your ability to pay on time, which is similar to getting a letter of recommendation from a high school teacher. After visiting and calling the office five times a day, you will definitely know your lease rep (similar to your Admissions Counselor) by name. And then, once you’ve jumped through every hoop and submit all of your materials, you await the call/acceptance letter.
Succeeding
Congrats! You got the call, signed the lease and you survived. You’re going to alert your entire family and convince them to help you move in. Most importantly, you get to go shopping. Next stop: Target.