How can you know what college is the right match for you?

Hi Stephanie!

As a college student myself (currently a junior), I've actually been reflecting a lot about the college I chose to attend as well as the factors I took into consideration when ultimately deciding where to go. There are a TON of things to consider when selecting a college, but I'll try to list a few of the largest factors below, along with some resources you can use to narrow your search:

1.Price/Cost

Arguably the most important factor is how much your degree is going to cost you. Public/state schools are typically much cheaper than private schools, especially if you live in the state where the university is located (ie. if you live in California, schools like University of California schools are cheaper for you since you pay taxes to the state). Sometimes, paying more for a specific degree from a specific school (for the name/network/location) could be worth it in the long-run, but you will want to be sure that you're making that decision consciously and not just overpaying for a degree that you may or may not need. I personally ended up attending a private school because I loved the location and major offerings, but will definitely be paying a lot more for it down the road!

2. Academic Programs/Majors

Be sure to check the programs and majors offered at the schools you apply to. For example, if you're interested in studying biology, you need to make sure that the school you attend has a great biology program. Seems super simple, but a lot of students don't research the specific academic programs they're interested in before they apply. There is a HUGE difference between liberal arts schools (Amherst, Pomona, Williams) and research universities (UCLA, USC, NYU, etc.). Research universities are not necessarily better, but they usually have more general academic resources due to their larger size. I attend a research university because I appreciate the diverse, interdisciplinary options it can provide (I'm interested in English & Business). Make sure the schools you apply to have what YOU need.

3. Location

If you have the chance, I'd absolutely recommend you visit a school before you apply. Lots of universities offer stipends/scholarships for students who can't afford to make the trip out. Visiting the school will let you figure out whether or not you would be willing to spend 4 YEARS in that area. Pictures online always look beautiful; it's much more important that you yourself mesh well with the surrounding environment (the campus, city, etc.).

4.Culture

Every school has a unique culture. I currently attend a school that is very STEM and start-up focused, something I've grown to love but was a bit shocking for me at first. If possible, try to reach out to a student at schools you're interested in and ask them what the culture is like. If you don't know anyone personally, you could always call the university admissions office and ask to speak with a campus representative, who will link you up with a student. I used to work at my admissions office, so trust me when I saythey'd really love to help you out.

Here are a few websites that have a lot more info about specific colleges and majors:

College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/

Cappex: https://www.cappex.com/

CollegeMajors101: https://collegemajors101.com/

College Board: https://www.collegeboard.org/

Those are just a few of the initial things you should consider. Don't be scared! College is a super exciting time, and it's really great that you're thinking carefully about where you apply.

Let me know if you have any additional questions.

Cheers,

David