selecting the Best colleges
While attending the University of Southern California, I learned something very important about selecting a college: it’s more important what you do with the opportunities available to you than the school's prestigious or national ranking. For example, I completed graduate-level courses as an undergraduate, took on a research assistantship, and formed a mentor-mentee relationship with a great professor.
I think that many families and students are more concerned about the name of the school they attend than what they do once they are there. It’s unfortunate that some students and parents think that going to a top university is the ideal way to move forward in life. It is not the only way nor is it a guarantee for life success. Instead parents and young people could be more focused on how a college will support their development and long-term goals, such as developing a life purpose*.
In addition to effectively using opportunities available in college, an important factor in selecting a college is how the college fits you. Consider it this way—when you go shopping for a pair of jeans, you will select one based on your size, style that you are interested in, and the qualities of the jean, such as depth of pocket. Selecting a college could be approached in the same manner.
Therefore, I recommend that you make a list of your top colleges based on your goals and the things you want for your college experience. You can do this by going through the following topics and asking yourself your preferences for each.
I encourage you to go through this list and record your answers. If you do not know the answer for any of them, then that means you have some research to do. Once you’ve decided on your criteria, look for institutes that fit well with your preferences. There are various websites that will help you; you’ll find some below.
Compare your chosen institutions by writing down pros and cons about each. Then write down a gut feeling about each. If you decide on a school without considering who you are and your overall goals, it could lead to an unpleasant college experience, excess debt, and foregone opportunities.
Another strategy to use is to sort your schools of interest into three categories: those you are most likely to be accepted to, those you have a moderate chance of being accepted into, and those you are interested in but unlikely to be accepted. Then apply to each so that even if your preferred college doesn’t accept you, you’ll still have another to attend the coming academic year.
However, it’s just as good an idea, or even better in certain cases, to gain life experiences outside of the college, work toward meeting the requirements of the school you are interested in, and then reapply to the school the next year, and this time have the backup schools as options. Again, make sure the college is a good fit.
It’s not always possible to apply to several schools, due to application fees and geographical restrictions. Yet, you may be able to obtain an application fee waiver through your school. Talk to your academic counselor to learn more and reach out to the colleges you’re interested in.
Try to visit some of your preferred colleges if possible. Sit in on some of the classes, talk with their students, talk with faculty in the programs of interest, and explore the neighborhood. Imagine what it will be like for you to be a student there.
Be sure to include others in your selection process. Talk with those people that will be directly influenced by your decision, such as parents. In addition, talk with a person whose opinion can be relied upon to be most objective and in your interest. And don’t get your parents into a lot of debt attending college.
Sometimes, you will not be able to go to a particular school due to your grades, standardized test scores, money, and many other reasons. The important part is to use what you do have to make the best life possible.
Your goal should be to find meaning in your current situation and connect where you are with a realistic and fulfilling future.
Attending college is a huge investment in so many ways, so get the best-fitting jeans.
Also see Applying, Accreditation, Financial Aid, Personal Development, Extracurricular and Other Activities While in College, Attributions and The First Year, Happiness, and Health.
Resources
*Damon, W. (2008). The path to purpose. Helping our children find their calling in life. New York, NY: Free Press.
I think that many families and students are more concerned about the name of the school they attend than what they do once they are there. It’s unfortunate that some students and parents think that going to a top university is the ideal way to move forward in life. It is not the only way nor is it a guarantee for life success. Instead parents and young people could be more focused on how a college will support their development and long-term goals, such as developing a life purpose*.
In addition to effectively using opportunities available in college, an important factor in selecting a college is how the college fits you. Consider it this way—when you go shopping for a pair of jeans, you will select one based on your size, style that you are interested in, and the qualities of the jean, such as depth of pocket. Selecting a college could be approached in the same manner.
Therefore, I recommend that you make a list of your top colleges based on your goals and the things you want for your college experience. You can do this by going through the following topics and asking yourself your preferences for each.
- Location (rural, urban, suburb)
- Size of student body (3,000 or 37,000)
- Private or public
- Culture (liberal or conservative)
- On- and off-campus resources and opportunities
- Specialization in your discipline
- Individuals, such as professors or other college personnel, with whom you want to work
- Proximity to hometown
- Cost
- Retention rates
- Accreditation
- Current academic standing: GPA, test scores, and activities outside of school
I encourage you to go through this list and record your answers. If you do not know the answer for any of them, then that means you have some research to do. Once you’ve decided on your criteria, look for institutes that fit well with your preferences. There are various websites that will help you; you’ll find some below.
Compare your chosen institutions by writing down pros and cons about each. Then write down a gut feeling about each. If you decide on a school without considering who you are and your overall goals, it could lead to an unpleasant college experience, excess debt, and foregone opportunities.
Another strategy to use is to sort your schools of interest into three categories: those you are most likely to be accepted to, those you have a moderate chance of being accepted into, and those you are interested in but unlikely to be accepted. Then apply to each so that even if your preferred college doesn’t accept you, you’ll still have another to attend the coming academic year.
However, it’s just as good an idea, or even better in certain cases, to gain life experiences outside of the college, work toward meeting the requirements of the school you are interested in, and then reapply to the school the next year, and this time have the backup schools as options. Again, make sure the college is a good fit.
It’s not always possible to apply to several schools, due to application fees and geographical restrictions. Yet, you may be able to obtain an application fee waiver through your school. Talk to your academic counselor to learn more and reach out to the colleges you’re interested in.
Try to visit some of your preferred colleges if possible. Sit in on some of the classes, talk with their students, talk with faculty in the programs of interest, and explore the neighborhood. Imagine what it will be like for you to be a student there.
Be sure to include others in your selection process. Talk with those people that will be directly influenced by your decision, such as parents. In addition, talk with a person whose opinion can be relied upon to be most objective and in your interest. And don’t get your parents into a lot of debt attending college.
Sometimes, you will not be able to go to a particular school due to your grades, standardized test scores, money, and many other reasons. The important part is to use what you do have to make the best life possible.
Your goal should be to find meaning in your current situation and connect where you are with a realistic and fulfilling future.
Attending college is a huge investment in so many ways, so get the best-fitting jeans.
Also see Applying, Accreditation, Financial Aid, Personal Development, Extracurricular and Other Activities While in College, Attributions and The First Year, Happiness, and Health.
Resources
- College Navigator
- myOptions
- The College Portrait
- O’Shaughnessy, L. (2012). The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price
*Damon, W. (2008). The path to purpose. Helping our children find their calling in life. New York, NY: Free Press.