Finding the Right College Fit

It’s the middle of college application season. Aside from the usual jitters that come with preparing and submitting applications, there’s another anxiety-inducing prospect on the horizon—having to make a choice on where to attend.

Finding the right college fit isn’t always a straight-forward proposition. Beyond classes and grading, there’s the campus size, location, student body, and extracurriculars. In this blog, we look at five different preferences students should consider, questions that can have a big impact on the kind of college or university they commit to. 

1. Campus Size

One of the qualities that students think most about before they commit to a college or university is its size—not just in geographic area but in total student population.  Is the ideal college one that is a small, tight-knit community? Is it one that can fill an entire stadium with roaring fans? For some students, a small college (those with less than 5,000 total students) can be cozy and welcoming spaces. For others, they might be a little too quiet, lacking the kind of large, diverse group dynamics that allow someone to find the exact people they can relate to. 

Large campuses (those with more than 15,000 total students), meanwhile, can offer opportunities for excitement for some through Greek life, sports, and a constant stream of events and activities but be alienating or overwhelming for others.  Whether you prefer a small community or a large one (or something in the middle) can have a big impact on your future decision. 

2. Distance

A second question that students often ask themselves when looking at colleges is, “How far away do I want to be from home?” For some students, this question might seem silly. College, of course, is an opportunity to explore independence—a chance to meet new people, go on new adventures, and exercise your first few decisions as an adult. The question is not “how close do I want to be?” but “how far away can I get?”

But living near home can also have its perks. Being near family and friends can provide a familiar support system that students can lean on when they encounter troubles. It can reduce costs, particularly if you plan on traveling back and forth either throughout the term or during holidays. It can also just be nice to have a familiar environment instead of a new setting you need to adapt to.  Whether students want to go far abroad or stay close to home is a question they will need to answer for themselves. If they are comfortable with independence and distance, then a distant school might be the place to be. If, on the other hand, they want familiarity, then a place close to home might be a better pick.

3. Academics

Of course, the reason to go to college is to learn the skills needed to excel in a profession. Consequently, a major consideration when picking a college is to know that it can give you those skills.  For this criteria, a major plays a big role. If you are a student who is interested in forensic science, then a college like West Virginia University might be a good pick as it has a renowned forensics department. Artists, meanwhile, might be more attracted to a campus like New York University, which has connections to many studios and programs across New York City. For those who are undecided, a college with many different programs might be best to allow exploration and discovery.

After verifying that the college a student is looking at offers their desired major, it is useful to look at specifics. Namely, what kinds of faculty do they hire? Are they experienced? Do they teach subjects you are interested in? What kinds of partnerships and research opportunities does their department offer? Can they guarantee any internship placements? By thinking about these factors, a student can ask the right questions and ensure that their education is a productive one. 

4. Location

What’s next but geography? Aside from its placement on a map, every college has a specific relationship to the surrounding area that is part of its appeal. 

The George Washington University, for example, is located right in the heart of Washington, DC and completely integrated into the city’s grid, offering students a chance at urban living as they navigate across active streets. Indiana University, meanwhile, offers a little more suburban experience, less fast-paced but still integrated into a larger community with its own resources. A university like Kenyon is large, expansive, and completely rural, giving students a degree of isolation. Urban, suburban, and rural campuses each have their own advantages and drawbacks, some of which may be deal-breakers or deal-makers for a student depending on their personality and lifestyle preferences. It’s critical that students consider what they want out of their college experience before they make a decision, whether they want to be in the heart of a city and its cultural attractions, if they prefer more pastoral sensibilities, or something in between.

5. Campus Culture

Finally, one of the most important elements for students to think about is the culture and environment. In other words, what kind of atmosphere should the college have? 

This question can be one of academic rigor. Is the ideal university a highly competitive Ivy League school or one with a more relaxed environment? Is the ideal a university that focuses on academics above all else or is it better to have a university that offers a robust social scene?  What about recreation? What are the weekend activities? What entertainment options are nearby? Is a student happy to participate in college sports and clubs on a rural campus or do they want to venture out and explore the dynamic offerings of a major city? Culture can also be a question about the student body itself, including on issues of diversity and inclusion. Is it important that a school emphasize a certain identity? Should it be religious? Historically Black? Offer other connections? All these questions can have a major impact on a student’s decision. What is important is that students have a clear vision of the kind of experience they hope to enjoy for their time in school.

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If nothing else, this blog conveys one thing: There is no one-size-fits-all approach to choosing a college. Each student will have different preferences that will draw them to different schools. What is important is that they list out those preferences early to understand what matters most and what is a “red line”.

Ultimately, the goal of any college decision is finding a place where a student feels supported, challenged, and happy. While this piece offers some tips to achieve that, our Class 101 college advisors are happy to provide more guidance if needed. Talk to a Class 101 location today to find your best-fit college today!