Where should I go to college? Most students do not spend much time thinking about this question since they assume that all colleges are the same and they just choose a college they are familiar with. There are many factors that should go into choosing a “good fit” college. And why does a “good fit” matter? If students are going to be successful, they should be at a place that matches his/her learning style, and environmental needs. Educational needs can be met in a variety of ways, but for a student to experience maximum success, it is important that he/she chooses a college that fits his/her needs.
So how does a student do that? There are many factors to consider as you select the best fit college. Probably the most important is finding a school that provides you with an academic program that you need and a style of instruction that suits your learning style. For example, would you prefer to be in a lecture hall with 300-500 other students taking notes and listening, or in a seminar-style environment with 20-30 students? Would you rather take a bubble-in test or do a project or write a paper? Do you enjoy class discussions where you can ask questions or to you prefer to remain anonymous?
A second factor to consider is the environment. The environment can mean climate, extracurricular, sports and political. If you do not like cold weather, then you should probably stay away from the far north. If you want the “big time” sports atmosphere, then you probably won’t find that at some of the smaller colleges. Some students want to join a fraternity or sorority and others prefer to be involved in a campus ministry group. A student who is ultra conservative may not feel comfortable in an atmosphere that leans to the far left. Another environmental factor might be the actual location of the college. Some students love access to the big city life with all of its hustle and bustle. Others want to go skiing or hike the nearest mountain.
Although there are many other factors to consider, the last one I will discuss today is the financial fit. There is nothing more devastating to a student than finding out AFTER he/she has applied and been accepted, that the family cannot afford the school. It is important that you figure this out before the student goes through all the work involved in filing an application. Some families exclude a private college when they see the total cost of attendance. This is a big mistake!! The private colleges have endowment money that allows them to offset the total cost and many times the private school can be cheaper than the public university!! I often tell my students, “It is not how much the college costs, it is how much you have to pay”!
Finding the right college can be a lot of work, but it is a very important part of the college application process. Students have to figure out what they need first and then they have to find it!
