For most students, the college search process involves the same basic steps. Still, each student's journey is different, and sometimes involves some unexpected complications or surprises. That was definitely the case for Lauren Fisher, who recently completed her freshman year in college. The journal she kept during her senior year shows how she survived the application process and found the right college match. And while her journey was unique, we believe you'll find some helpful insights and practical principles that will help you with your own college search.

Senior year! It's finally here. I can't help but wonder where I'll be this time next year. I have a hunch I'll be starting my freshman year at a great Christian school about 45 minutes away from home. I've been planning on going there since I was in junior high. My family used to attend a church that met on its campus, so I know my way around. Plus, my friend Karen is applying there, too. If we both get accepted, we're going to be roommates.

But I need to keep my grades up so my college apps look good. And between doing all my homework and spending as much time as possible with my friends, I also have to find time to write essays for my college application, apply for financial aid and get teacher recommendations. I started spazzing out last night, thinking about all of the stuff I have to do. But my mom (who is totally cool, calm, and collected) said she'd help me do things like plan my college visits. She's a real lifesaver.

Ugh! I just got my ACT score from the test I took last spring. My ACT score is low—embarrassingly low. I called my admissions counselor at my top college choice to see if I needed to take the test again. He "highly recommended" it. Not what I wanted to hear.

Got another college brochure in today's mail. This one stood out from the rest, though. It was from Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois. It looks like it has a great education program, which is exactly what I'm looking for. I checked it out online and I really liked what I saw. I even downloaded an application. Even though I've got a school in mind that I'd like to attend, my goal is to apply to two backup schools just in case I don't get into my top choice. I think Trinity may be one of these backups.

Yikes, these college applications are long. I've already had to skip a few nights out with my friends to write essays on things like "my hero" or "my greatest Christian influence."

I did check one thing off my to-do list: I asked my math teacher and the kindergarten teacher I've been doing an internship with to write recommendation letters. They both said they'd be happy to do it. I know they'll both put in a good word for me.

Today I re-took the ACT. I feel like so much is riding on this test. It's not fair! I'm a good student, I've really buckled down and I'm on the high honor roll. But my earlier score makes me look like I haven't taken any of my classes seriously. I have a sinking feeling that I didn't raise my score this time, either.

One down! My application to my top choice is in the mail. I stayed up all night triple-checking everything. But still, I'm worried. What if I don't get in? What if don't get enough financial aid? Mom reminded me (again!) that this is all in God's hands.

Finished! I sent my application to Trinity. Whew! I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Although my heart is still set on my top choice, Trinity looks like a great school.

I just opened my ACT test results. I only raised my ACT score by one lousy point. Will it be good enough? Mom told me to just keep praying about college. She has faith—with or without a perfect ACT score—that there's a college out there for me.

Mom wanted to visit Trinity … just in case. I have to admit, I was really impressed. It's the perfect distance from home—a little over an hour. And they have a great education program. Mom insisted that we meet with the professor who is in charge of the Services for Student Success center, which is where I would find academic help, like a tutor. I really connected with the prof, and she seemed genuinely eager to help me succeed.

Mrs. Robinson, my favorite teacher who has helped me through some pretty tough classes, said I might have a problem with a test like the ACT because of my learning disability. I hate to be labeled or to make excuses, but it makes sense. She volunteered to write a letter to the colleges I've applied to, saying my scores did not represent the true me. I feel a little bit better. I'm hoping the schools I'm applying to see the real me—not just my test score.

Mom and I visited my top choice today. The campus was beautiful and the dorms were super nice. But the office where I'd get the extra help I might need, like tutoring, was a little bit of a letdown. I didn't feel totally comfortable with the professor who was in charge. She was nice, but I didn't get the impression that I'd be a top priority. But they have a great reputation and an awesome education program. Does the other stuff really matter?

Mom has been obsessed with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid since the beginning of January. All the schools say to turn the FAFSA in as early as possible after January 1 to get the most aid. Although I've saved a lot of money from my summer job, I have nowhere near what I need to pay for school.

All of my friends have been accepted into college. I have one rejection letter and no word from my top choice or Trinity.

I was ACCEPTED into my top choice! It gets better, though. Karen was also accepted. We have our entire dorm room planned out already. I even got my financial aid package. It's a little less than I was expecting. But I can find a good job on campus and work extra during the summer.

I was accepted to Trinity on a "conditional basis." I called my admissions counselor to ask what that meant. He explained that while my application was strong, the admissions committee was a little concerned about my ACT score. So I'll have to take summer classes to brush up on things like basic math. Then I will be on academic probation. But if I do well, I'll be fully accepted after the first semester. I'm not sure what to think.

I got my financial aid package from Trinity. It's a better package than I got from my top choice. Although I'll have to take out some loans, I qualified for a lot of grants and won some scholarships.

Mom did all the math and she feels really comfortable with Trinity's package. Things are really coming together. The more I think about Trinity the more I like it. I have a tough decision to make.

Mom sent a deposit to both schools to hold my spot in the dorms. She told me to just listen to God, and he'll direct me to the right school. I'm trying, but the answer just doesn't seem very clear.

Dear God,
Thank you for helping me through this college application process. Please guide me and give me peace about which school to choose. Amen.

Today, Mom helped me make a list of pros and cons for each school. They both have a lot of positive things. But Mom made a good point: Trinity has a great program in place for students like me who have learning disabilities. While both schools have great education programs, I need to look at the entire package. Mom was so happy for me, she tried hard not to cry when I called Trinity to tell them I was definitely coming.

I called Karen to tell her that I wasn't going to be her roommate. She said it was OK, but I could tell that she was really disappointed. I feel awful. But I know I made the right decision.

I just found out that my roommate's name is Emily and she lives two hours away from me. I'm a little nervous about rooming with a complete stranger, but we hit it off tonight when we talked on the phone.

I cried tonight when I said goodbye to all my friends. Tomorrow I'm off to college.

Orientation day! Mom helped me move into my dorm room. Emily is here, too. She's super nice and funny. I've only been here a few hours, but the big thing I've noticed is that people are not only excited to learn, but they are genuinely on fire for Christ.

When it was time to say goodbye, Mom told me how proud she was of me. The application process hadn't been easy, but it was worth it. And I know I'm up for this new challenge.

Lauren Fisher is a sophomore at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois.

Copyright © 2007 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.
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