Finding the right college isn’t an easy or short process, but that doesn’t mean it can’t also be fun and rewarding. The college search process is not only a chance to find the right school but to also learn a little more about yourself and your goals and desire along the way. Maybe you've already heard of education expert Loren Pope's best-selling book Colleges That Change Lives. If you haven't, consider this an introduction to an invaluable resource, including things to consider when searching for the perfect college.
Examine your reasons for going to college
Start by examining yourself and your reasons for going to college. Why, really, are you going? What are your abilities and strengths? What are your weaknesses? What do you want out of life? Are you socially self-sufficient or do you prefer familial support? Talk with your family, friends, and high school counselors as you ask these questions. The people who know you best can help you the most with these important issues. But the people who know the schools best can also help you a lot. Identify the admission officer assigned to your region of the country and email them. Ask if you can get in touch with students from your area or students with interests similar to yours. When you visit, take the time to sit in on classes, eat in the dining hall, and hang around in the student center or other high-traffic areas. Imagine yourself as part of the community. Talk to students, and ask if they would make the same college choice if they had to do it again.
Realize that school size matters
Your college does not have to be bigger than your high school. Most good liberal arts colleges have a population of fewer than 4,000 for a reason: college is a time to explore, and many students find a smaller community more conducive to internal exploration. What really matters, however, is not the number of people, but the people themselves and the kind of community in which you will learn. Many large universities have established smaller “honors colleges” for these reasons.
Related: Big or Small? How School Size Affects Your Public College Experience
Understand that name-brand colleges don't guarantee success
Think about the people in your life who are happy and successful. Find out whether they went to college, and if so, where they attended. Often you’ll find that success in life has less to do with one’s choice of a college than with personal qualities and traits, and more to do with the experience and opportunities one has in college. Employers and graduate schools are looking for outstanding skills and experience, not college pedigree. As you search for colleges, ask about student outcomes and you will find many colleges you may have never heard of that outperform the Ivies and name brands! Visit the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) website for more information and as an alternative to rankings and lists.
Consider your major options but don't settle
Very few high school students have enough information or experience to choose a major. Most students need the variety and depth of college coursework to determine their interests and aptitudes. In fact, most college students change their minds two or three times before they settle on a major and still graduate in four years! Being undecided is a good thing; it will leave you open to more academic experiences.
Don't be scared by the stories
If you pay attention to the headlines when it comes to college admission, you might believe that no one is getting in anywhere! The truth is that the majority of the colleges and universities in this country admit more students than they reject. If you are worried about your chance for admission and are willing to explore beyond the very narrow band of highly selective colleges, you will find many options that could be a great fit for you. Compare your academic profile to those of recently admitted and enrolled students at any college you’re considering. Most colleges provide this information on their website but contact the school if you can’t find it. Ask your high school counselor for additional advice and guidance as it applies to your record and school.
Related: Good, Bad, and Unnecessary College Application Advice You Need to Know
Figure out what college affordability means for you
If you assume you cannot afford college based on the “sticker price,” you will miss out. It may be difficult for you to talk about money, but if you investigate all the options and ask for help and advice, you will find affordable choices. Online resources as well as financial aid workshops sponsored by high schools in your community are widely available to get you started. College and university financial aid websites offer useful information and links as well. Investigate early and ask for help.
Don't choose a college based only on the opinions of others
Choosing a college because your friends are going there or because of where it ranks on a list does not take into account who you are and who you will become. College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won. The most important measure of your college success is finding a school that simply fits—a college that feels right. Finding a good fit requires time and introspection. Visiting a college’s website, learning about campus events and guest speakers, and getting in touch with current students and faculty are good ways to supplement a campus visit, or to decide if you even want to spend the time and money on a visit.
Related: 4 Key Ways to Find Your College Fit
The important thing to remember when searching for a college that’s right for you is that there is no one right college for you. Many colleges will fit your needs and goals, but you have to be willing to put in the work and research to find them. The college search process should be a special journey for you, much like your college journey will be. So enjoy it, and don’t let it stress you out too much. Good luck!
Visit the Colleges That Change Lives website to get more of their expert advice, or start your search on CollegeXpress with our College Search tool!
