James G. Nondorf
Vice President of Enrollment and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid
The University of Chicago
This is really the million-dollar question, and, of course, there’s no succinct answer. Sometimes I like to tell prospective students to think of it this way: you’re not just deciding where to go to school, you’re essentially looking for a new home for four years. So consider all the things that make for a good home: the neighborhood and the community, the place and the people in it. Ask yourself: What groups and organizations are most active on campus? What is dorm life like? What opportunities are available in the surrounding city or town? And—perhaps most of all—what are the students and professors passionate about, and what drives the intellectual community? These are the people with whom you will be sharing your new home. And remember: admission officers are here to help you in your search for the right college. Feel free to reach out.
Marty O'Connell
Executive Director
Colleges That Change Lives
You should be trying to choose the “best fit” for you and your background: How do you best learn (size and type of classes and instruction)? What community of learners would you like to surround yourself with (competitive, relaxed, academic, social, athletic, etc.)? What would you be most disappointed about not being able to do in college (not just the academic choices)? Think about how two friends with the exact same academic record can visit a college and one will fall in love with it and the other will hate it—that is what the fit piece is all about!
The most frustrating part about doing the college search to find a good fit is that it does take a lot of time. Take the time to research your choices by going back to the college website and spending an hour reading about campus and students. Visit the campus, meet with college reps, find people who are students/alumni to ask their opinions, and review financial aid and merit scholarship offers to be sure you can afford the college. With all this information, it will most often become clear which is the right choice. Some students walk onto a campus and after only a few minutes they are able to say, “I found the college I love!” and that has a lot to do with a gut feeling about a place. It's important to pay attention to that feeling, even if it is hard to articulate!
Cyndy McDonald
Founder
Higher Educational Consultants Association (HECA)
The best way to find a college that will be a good fit is to know thyself. This means taking time to think about what kind of student you are, what kind of environment you want to live in, and who you want to go to school with. This type of self-exploration and growth will help you to choose the school that will fit you not only academically, but socially, spiritually, and physically as well.
Robert G. Springall
Former Dean of Admissions
Bucknell University
Your final college choice might be very hard to make, or it could be a no-brainer. If you’ve done a good job researching and figuring out what’s important for you, you will likely have several colleges you are truly excited about. If you are unsure about your final choice, and if you have the resources to do so, make a final trip to visit the colleges you’re considering.
Financial aid and scholarships may also play a part in your decision. Be careful when reviewing offers, and don’t automatically pick the least expensive school. The best college for you—the place with the programs, campus community, and out-of-class experiences you want—may not have the lowest cost, but that doesn’t mean it’s unattainable. You’ll be a graduate of a college for the rest of your life. Do you want to remember it as the place you went to only because it was the cheapest?
The best college for you may be the best bargain, but sometimes the bargain isn’t the best experience, and the best financial aid award may not appear so at first. Review and compare all your awards carefully with your family. Do they all cover your total cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, fees, and meal plan as well as books, travel, and other expenses? If not, figure out what’s missing. Remember even full tuition scholarships don’t cover the other critical costs of attending college, especially if you'll be living on campus.
For more answers to important college admission questions, scope out our Ask the Experts section!