Some clients come to me with a “dream school” already in mind. They’ve thought about this college or university since birth and can’t imagine themselves anywhere else. Maybe their parents are alumni, maybe they are big fans of their sports teams, or maybe they are the local flag-ship school that everyone talks about. The truth of the matter is that more often than not, this initial “dream” school isn’t necessarily the right or the only fit for the student.
In today’s college landscape it’s important to cast a wide net of interest. Just because a certain college ranks high on a particular list, does not mean it is the right choice for you. When beginning the college search it’s really most effective to start with the student instead of the college. The following are my top 3 questions to ask yourself (or your student) before making a college list. Some of these may surprise you and after honestly contemplating them, your list of schools may look a little different.
What size school do I think I would thrive in?
School size manifests in lots of ways. Academically speaking, large schools will offer lots of large lecture hall type classes. This is especially true for the first two years when students are working through their core classes. These classes can have hundreds of students in them. They are often broken down into smaller sections with TAs (teacher assistants) being available for office hours and/or additional instruction. To be most successful in these settings students need to be comfortable in a large learning environment and also should be able to advocate for themselves and be able to attend office hours and ask questions outside of class.
On the other side of the spectrum some small schools offer very small classes. You will get to know your professors well, however you need to be comfortable with more individualized attention. You will not be able to blend into the crowd if there are only 15 people in your English 101 class.
Socially, school size can make a huge difference in a campus’s culture and vibe. Larger schools tend to have bigger sports and Greek life scenes. Do you feel like tailgating and attending football games on weekends should be a big part of your college experience? Are you interested in being in a sorority or fraternity and maybe one day hope to live in a house with your sisters or brothers? Having that “Rah Rah” college experience is extremely important to some soon to be freshmen. If that is how you see your college life developing, a larger school may be for you.
On the flip side, this type of university is not for everyone. Some students don’t see sports as being a big part of what they are looking for in a university. They would like some school spirit but don’t want to plan their weekends around it. Others feel strongly that they do not want to be a part of Greek life, and therefore don’t want to be at a school where that dominates the social landscape. Understanding how this all fits into a particular school’s environment is an important part of the equation.
What do I want to study?
Students don’t need to know what their college major will be when they are still in high school. In fact, two of every five college students change their major at least once. However, having a particular area of interest, engineering, communications, business etc. can help narrow the search of which school may be a good fit. Some schools may come in high on those ever popular rankings lists, however a “top” school may not have a strong program in the concentration you are looking for. For example, Florida State University is ranked an impressive #4 in best colleges to study criminal justice, while it only holds the #59 spot in the best colleges to study engineering. Now that is not to say that students interested in studying engineering shouldn’t apply to FSU, but it is an important piece of knowledge when crafting your list of schools to consider. On the flip side, those interested in criminal justice may not have had FSU as a top choice, or even on their list at all, before researching their specific area of interest.
The same can also be said for those kiddos who have “no idea” what they want to study or pursue as a career. Choosing a school that has a wide variety of majors, is known for allowing its students to easily change majors, and who offer a wide variety of interdisciplinary core classes would give the most freedom of choice. Some schools don’t require you to declare a major until the end of sophomore year. This allows students to fulfill an array of core classes in different disciplines so that they can explore a variety of topics and concentrations before declaring a major. Some schools like Brown University and Wake Forest University are famous for their “open curriculums” where students are encouraged to take courses in any discipline throughout their time as an undergraduate. Their model focuses on broader concepts such as problem solving, intellectual risk taking and critical thinking. This type of environment might be especially appealing to students who don’t feel especially called to one area of study over another just yet.
Other universities such as University of Michigan and UT Austin, separate admissions decisions into the specific colleges where those majors are held. Oftentimes applications are read first by general university readers and then by individual college readers in additional rounds. For example at Georgetown University, students who are interested in International Relations apply to the Walsh School Of Foreign Service. Those wanting to focus on business apply to the McDonough School of Business. Each application adds a college specific supplemental essay question in addition to the overall university supplementals. They do offer an option for students to apply undeclared to their College of Arts and Sciences, however if students decide to declare a major in another college after they are admitted, they have to go through another application process to move colleges. In schools that follow this model, there is less of an interdisciplinary focus, and more emphasis put on specialized courses in a particular field. One is not better than the other, it’s just important to consider which path of learning best fits your particular wants and needs.
Where do I want to live in for the next four years?
Oftentime students and families only think about the school itself and not the actual location of the college. If you’ve always lived in the same state or one part of the country it can be hard to imagine how different day to day life can be in another location. This may be an exciting prospect for some students, while daunting for others. Students need to think about if climate is important to them and do some research on what the weather is really like at the schools you are interested in. For example, University of Florida is a top choice for many reasons, however many would be surprised that Gainsville is a fairly rural area (they call it the “swamp” for a reason) that is three hours from a beach. Winters are mild, but fall and spring are hot and humid. While many Gators will tell you there is no place they’d rather be, If you are looking for the “Florida Life” of palm trees and sandy beaches, UF’s location may not live up to your expectations. The University of Miami, Eckerd College in St. Petersburg or Florida Gulf Coast University in Estero, will all better fit the image of the picturesque beach-living you many have envisioned.
Then there are the southerners who want to experience winter and the beauty of snow. Make sure you visit the campus in actual winter, this does not just mean November or March. Go when the ground is frozen, the temperatures are in the single digits and it gets dark at 4:00 pm. Understand what real cold feels like and recognize the differences in daylight hours. Sleigh rides and hot chocolate study sessions can be amazing, but make sure you are ready for the transition before you get there!
The other location factor is simply understanding the type of community that surrounds the campus. Some students want the vibe and energy of being in the middle of a big city. NYU and Boston University boast campuses directly woven into the streets of New York and Boston. Dorms look more like apartment buildings and students quickly integrate their lives going between classes and true city living. Others want the total opposite culture from a campus community, and enjoy the idea of a rural atmosphere. Completely contained campuses like Penn State or University of Tennessee keep all academic and social endeavors in one place. These type campuses are often described as a worlds of their own, with little reason to ever leave. Then there are the schools who fall somewhere in the middle, like UNC Chapel Hill or Boston College, residing in close proximity to cities while incorporating a typical “college town” into their campus culture. The University of Delaware is located in the picturesque town of Newark, with a Main Street chock full of shops, restaurants and bars frequented by students. It is also only about a two hour drive or train ride to Philadelphia, New York and Washington DC. Again, there is no one perfect college environment, only a perfect fit for each individual.
Want more advice on how to craft the best college list for you? Reach out to College Concierge for afree consultation!
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