College Search Factors To Consider

by Carolyn Z. Lawrence, AdmissionsAdvice.com

While your college search should begin and end with you, the characteristics of individual colleges are also important to consider.

Here are some important factors to consider while researching and comparing colleges:

The prestige factor. Be careful about adding colleges to your list just because they are “prestigious.” If a college or university isn’t a fit for you in other ways, prestige in and of itself will not make up for what’s lacking. Consider prestige a bonus, not the entire reason for choosing a college.

Admissions selectivity. How many applicants typically apply? What percentage are admitted? What are the Grade Point Averages (GPA) and test scores of those admitted? How do yours compare? Be honest and realistic. While it is fine to include a few dream colleges that may be out of reach on your list, a college list that is made up only of dream colleges is not a wise plan.

Cost. Every college publishes an estimate of the cost of attendance, including tuition/fees room and board, books, and personal expenses. You can find this information on each college’s website. However, keep in mind that the published cost of attendance can vary widely from what you may actually pay after financial aid and scholarships. So, don’t immediately rule out colleges or universities based on their published cost. If a school truly interests you, send in your application, apply for financial aid and merit scholarships, and then make a fully informed decision about what your cost will be.

Location. Urban? Suburban? Rural? Cold winters or sunshine year-round? Do you want a school like New York University or San Francisco State where the campus blends right into the urban setting, or a more bucolic setting, such as the University of California, Santa Cruz or Kenyon College, which each have hundreds of acres of trees? Don’t forget you are not only selecting a school but also a place to live, so as you investigate colleges, also research what the area surrounding each campus is like. Each school and its location is different, with pluses and minuses.

Distance from home. Do you want to be close to home or in another part of the state or country? How often do you want or expect to visit home? However, before you rule out any geographic area as “too far,” do your homework. Colleges that seem far away may offer programs and features that you can’t find closer to home. Additionally, distances can be deceiving. For instance, I live in San Diego.  In terms of miles to travel, Arizona State is closer to me than University of California, Berkeley. If you’re an international student, of course, you’ll likely be far from home no matter which school you attend. However, it is still a good idea for international students to take a close look at where colleges that interest them are located in the U.S.  The U.S. is a huge country, with many different climates and lifestyles.

Size. The smallest college in the United States has just 24 students; the largest well over 50,000. In between are thousands of different choices. Think carefully about which size might be best for you both academically and socially. There are advantages and disadvantages to all sizes of colleges.

Programs of study. If you already have a specific major or career in mind, make sure that the schools to which you apply have that program. Look at the course catalog and department website to see how many faculty the department has, what courses are offered, how many students major in the program, and any special facilities or resources the program may offer. This type of information will let you compare programs at various schools. However, keep in mind that a large percentage of students change their major at least once, so don’t let the availability or strength of a particular program be your only reason for choosing a college. If you’re undecided about a major, look for colleges that offer a variety of programs in subjects that interest you, and compare those departments in the same way. You should also investigate the advising services offered so that if you need help picking a major, you will be able to receive it.

Graduation requirements/curriculum. Many students make the mistake of focusing only on comparing majors at different colleges. In truth, you'll only be taking a small percentage of your courses in your major area of study. Therefore, it's also important to look at how colleges differ in their graduation requirements and curriculum.  Some schools offer very open curriculums that allow you to sample a wide variety of courses in different subjects.  Others have strict "core" requirements that lay out exactly which courses you'll need to take outside of your major.  Most colleges have some required areas of study that every student must take for graduation, but allow for some flexibility in choosing the courses you will take to fulfill those requirements.  Taking a close look at graduation requirements before you enroll is important.  For instance, if you're not a math and science type, you'll probably be happier at a school where you won't have to take many courses in those areas to graduate. On the flip side, if you are someone who doesn't enjoy literature and foreign language study, you might prefer to look at colleges where course requirements in those areas are fewer or non-existent.

Student diversity. How comfortable are you around people who may be very different from you? Diversity doesn’t just mean ethnic or racial diversity, but also economic diversity, and even geographic diversity. Some students find being surrounded by many different types of people exciting, while others prefer to be surrounded by more familiar types. College guidebooks can give you some idea of how diverse a particular campus is, both racially and geographically.

Campus housing. It’s a good idea to consider the percentage of students who live on-campus if you plan to live on-campus yourself. The more students who live in campus housing, the more varied weekend activities are likely to be, and, in some cases, the more cohesive the campus community will feel. If on-campus housing options are limited, you may have to find off-campus housing after your freshman year, so do check about the cost and availability of such accommodations as well.

Academic atmosphere and “campus culture.” Just as your high school has a different feel than many other high schools, each college and university has its own unique campus culture and academic atmosphere. Some institutions are high-stress pressure-cookers in terms of academic intensity and competitiveness, while others take a more laidback approach. The same is true with the social atmosphere, with some feeling more friendly and social than others. On some campuses, weekends are filled with partying, while on others, there’s a quieter and more subdued atmosphere. As you consider your college options, think about these differences and which type of atmosphere is right for you.

Next: Which Type of College is Right For You?

Based in San Diego County, California, Carolyn Z. Lawrence is a private college admissions consultant who has helped hundreds of students from across the country and around the world find the right college matches. 

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