The College Search Process

Choosing which colleges to apply to is a real-life research assignment. You'll need to apply many of the research skills you have learned in your classes to be successful: organization, thoroughness and an awareness of requirements and timetables are all fundamental. We hope that you will come away from the process with a working list of about six to eight schools, those that offer the programs and environments you desire, and those that present a healthy balance of challenge and safety with regard to your prospects for admission

Key Characteristics

Student Enrollment
Some of the key factors to examine here include size of school, percentage of undergrads, male/female ratio, commuter/ resident ratio, percentage of minority and/or particular religious affiliation, geographic diversity, percentage of freshmen who graduate, and the percentage of students receiving financial aid.

Physical Environment
Consider here the location of the school, including the geographic region of the country, urban/ suburban/rural setting, distance from home, weather, recreation and cultural opportunities. Also, examine the school environment itself, including campus, facilities (especially the areas important to you), dormitories, student center and library.

College Type and Philosophy
Schools vary in their stated purposes, often called mission statements. For instance, is the school public or private, independent or church related? Is it strictly an undergraduate institution (college) or are there graduate programs as well (university)? Is the focus on liberal arts or on pre-professional programs such as business, education, law, engineering or art? Often tied to the mission are identifiable characteristics. For instance, is the school traditional or progressive in its approach? Is the role of the professor primarily teacher or researcher? Does the academic schedule (semesters, trimesters, 4-1-4, 3-2) promote certain programs of interest to you?

Curriculum
Though many high school students are undecided about what to major in, most have a general idea about areas of interest. In comparing colleges, pay attention to such curriculum-related topics as the latitude you will have in choosing your courses while at school, the majors offered in your area of interest, the number of graduates in various majors, the strong departments and the special opportunities available to undergraduates (research work, coop programs, cross registration with area schools, study abroad, internships and independent study). Many colleges offer special first-year seminars that are worth investigating. In addition, you may want to examine the grading system of the school, grade distributions (especially for freshmen), and the requirements for a degree.

Academic Environment
Connected to curricular issues are a series of factors that make up the academic environment. The faculty of any college constitutes the heart of the academic environment. Inquiries into faculty background and faculty concerns are often a key to understanding this environment. Look into the percentage of faculty who hold doctorates, typical teaching load, research/publication expectations and the role of graduate students in the undergraduate's academic life. Of more direct interest is how the academic environment will affect your life as a student. Faculty/ student ratios, advisory systems, average class sizes, and availability of tutorial assistance and support services could be important. Pay particular attention to the academic environment for first year students. Also important, though more difficult to discern, are pressures on the student body, the student attitude on campus towards learning, the quality of special enrichment activities such as guest speakers, and campus interest in national and international issues of importance. Lastly, look into what happens to students as they get ready to graduate. Learning about career placement office functions, recruiters on campus, placement records of pre-professional programs, the percentage that go on to graduate schools and job placement records can be helpful.

Campus Life
In searching for appropriate college choices, keep in mind that you are also choosing somewhere to live for four years. It is important that the style and setting of your schools reflect your personal preferences. For this category, perhaps more than any other, campus visits can most informative and revealing. Look into living arrangements by examining dormitory quarters and the school's system for allocating rooms. Examine the larger school environment by taking a look at facilities you might use extensively (e.g. student center, cafeteria, gym, labs, theater). Student body issues are important, too. Is the makeup of the student body largely homogeneous or diversified? Is individuality welcomed? What is the role of fraternities and sororities within the community? What campus issues dominate the minds of the undergraduates? Are the social policies of the school consistent with your philosophy of life? Do the athletic, cultural, and community offerings on campus dovetail with your interests and needs? Look critically and carefully, and don't be afraid to take the time to talk to students at the school… many will enjoy the opportunity to tell you what they think.

Costs and Financial Aid
As you gather information about costs and financial aid opportunities, it is important that you talk with your parents. The financial aspects of college often affect parents more than students, so their input could be of critical importance to your decisionmaking. Examine information pertaining to yearly costs (tuition, room and board, books, lab/ studio fees, travel and personal expenses). Consider your ability to pay, including your parents' contribution, your willingness to work while at school, and the amount of loan you'll need to assume. Know that financial aid policies and financial aid awards can vary wildly among schools, so it is important to contact the college financial aid office for pertinent information. Inquire into the percentage of students receiving aid, the range of awards and the average award. Is there merit-based money available? Are early decision applicants disadvantaged in the aid process? What is the average indebtedness (money borrowed and owed) of a student when he or she graduates? What are job opportunities on campus or in the community?

Final Thoughts
As you gather information on individual schools, keep accurate and organized records. After visits, jot down some notes to remind you of your impressions. These suggestions will help later. Of course, all of the data are important, but don't forget to "trust your gut" on schools. Years of experience has taught us that often times a student gets a feeling, good or bad, about a school pretty quickly. These feelings can be just as important in the process as all the "measurements" you've taken.

return to top