Have you started wondering what you look for in your ideal college? If you’re a sophomore or junior, it’s time to start college research, so that by the time it’s spring break, you can go on tours of campuses that end up on your short list. But, how do you determine your ideal college fit so that you can identify schools that align with your interests?
You’re going to be spending four years at your undergraduate institution—so it’s important that you apply to colleges that genuinely interest you. You should apply only to colleges where you could see yourself being happy pursuing your goals. There are many factors to consider, from location, to academic offerings, to financial aid.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Figuring out the perfect college fit isn’t the easiest of tasks. To help you determine the different things that might be important to you, we’ve provided a list of questions. As you read through them, consider what you’re looking for and what best fits your aspirations. Think carefully about each question—even the seemingly little things can make a big difference in your experience!
Academics
- Do you know what you want to major or minor in?
- Which schools are known for offering majors and programs in your area of interest?
- What do you need from a college to achieve your academic goals?
- Would you like a school that offers a first-year advisor?
- What is your ideal average class size?
- What are you looking for in professors? Does developing close relationships with professors matter to you?
- What kinds of research opportunities would benefit your interests and goals?
- What student-faculty ratio are you looking for?
- Do you prefer larger lectures, or do you want discussion-based classes?
- Would you thrive more in a large university or small liberal arts college?
- What kind of study abroad opportunities are you looking for?
Admitted Student Profile
- What is your GPA? How does it match up with the median GPAs at the colleges you’re considering ?
- If you’ve taken standardized tests, do your scores compare with median SAT or ACT scores of different schools?
- How does your class rank fare against those of admitted students at various universities?
Diversity Profile
- Do the colleges meet what you’re looking for in terms of diversity?
- Are you looking for a certain percentage of international students, first-generation students or students of color?
- What is the school’s gender distribution like?
Location and Campus Logistics
- Do you want a more urban setting or rural campus?
- Do you want to attend college in a big city or small town?
- How far do you want to be from home?
- What is your ideal campus size in terms of acreage?
- Do you want a small community where you know almost everyone on campus, or would you prefer to be in a bigger place?
- What kind of weather are you looking for?
- Do you work best in a particular setting?
- Are you looking for a campus with internship opportunities in the area?
- Do you want to live on campus, or would you prefer off-campus housing nearby?
- What are you looking for in a dorm room?
- What facilities in a surrounding town would benefit you?
- Do you want a campus with a grocery store within walking distance?
- Would you prefer a campus that allows you to bring a car starting your freshman year?
Extracurriculars and Social Life
- What are your biggest involvements right now? How would you hope to continue them in college?
- Do you want a school with a big athletic presence?
- What kind of student organizations would align with your interests?
- Do you want a school that allows you to start new clubs easily?
- Would you prefer an on-campus social life or do you hope to attend many events outside campus?
- What kind of recreational offerings do you want from the surrounding area?
- Would you want a school with a Greek life?
Resources
- Do you want a college with a supportive writing center or other tutoring programs?
- What do you look for out of career service offerings?
- Is there a particular industry you want your college’s alums to have connections to?
- Do you require any particular disability services?
- Would you want a dining hall that’s allergen-free or vegan-friendly?
- What kind of on-campus or off-campus job opportunities would interest you?
Cost and Financial Aid
- What is your and your family’s budget for your undergrad education?
- Do you want a school where the majority of students receive financial aid?
- Are you open to taking out loans if necessary?
- Are you looking for any particular types of scholarships?
- Are you interested in work-study opportunities?
Personality Fit
- What are three things you value in a community?
- What do you look for in classmates/roommates?
- Who do you get along best with?
- Are you an introvert or extrovert?
Once you know what you’re looking for, It’s time to actually look for schools that meet your criteria. Remember that no one college is likely to check off every single box. As you go through brochures, videos, and websites, you’ll come across schools that offer degrees of selectivity in terms of acceptance rates and median numbers. Because millions of students apply to college every year and the competition is tough, it’s crucial that you keep a balanced list of reach, target, and safer schools. Happy searching!
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