How to Choose Colleges to Apply To
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Choosing colleges to apply to directly impacts your student's future, and it can seem impossible to put together a list with so many choices out there. As your student prepares for college, it's best to organize college options by the most influential factors and the aspects of college life that matter most to your student.
What to Consider When Choosing a College
It's a good idea to put together a checklist that's unique to your interests, likes and dislikes, and goals for the future. This way, you can compare prospective colleges for your application list against what's essential to you. Here are some of the critical categories students should keep in mind.
Location
Every student may want something different out of their college location. Some might want to stay close to home at an in-state university. Others may want to go somewhere completely different from where they grew up, or maybe even leave the country.
Location can be more than geographic location, too. Students should think about the environment they want to be in for the next four years; city campuses and suburban or rural campuses may offer widely different experiences.
Price and Financial Aid
When choosing colleges to apply to, eliminating those with costs out of range before even sitting down to work on applications can be a good idea.
Costs can vary based on the institution (four-year vs. community college), what financial aid or scholarships might be available, and differences in in-state or out-of-state tuition. Putting all this information together and using tools to help calculate college costs can ensure that every college on your list is a realistic option.
Type of College
There are many different types of higher education institutions, such as community colleges, private and public four-year universities, trade schools, and online college degree programs. Each type of program offers a unique experience, and it's important to keep academic and professional goals in mind when choosing colleges for your application list.
College Size
Colleges range widely in size from small, rural liberal arts colleges to huge state universities with tens of thousands of students. A college's size can affect the size of a student's program of study, how much individualized attention they can expect to get, how many people will be in their classes, and if they'll have the opportunity to get to know their professors or other mentors.
When it comes to college size, there are advantages and disadvantages to both small and large student bodies. When adding colleges to your application list, consider what will best support your goals and your personality.
Academic Offerings
High school students might be sick of getting the question, "What do you want to do after high school?" But knowing what they want to pursue in college can help them determine the best schools to apply to.
Having political aspirations is different from wanting to become a famous musician or stay in academia, and different schools can offer academic and professional support in these areas.
Consider degree programs, clubs and extracurricular activities, internship opportunities, study abroad options, career counseling, and anything else a college might offer their students. Finding a college with offerings supporting your goals, dreams, and passions is essential.
Campus Life and Culture
Understanding a college's campus life and culture can help you figure out places you would love to apply to and others you would rather leave off your list. A college visit can help you grasp things like scheduled programming and events, and talking to current students can give you a good idea of the sort of people who attend that school.
Graduation Rate and Other Statistics
Qualitative information can be really helpful for putting together a list of colleges to apply to but don't leave out the quantitative data. Checking statistics on student success, such as what percentage of students complete their programs successfully and graduate, can give you a good idea of satisfaction rates and your own likelihood of success.
Other statistics that can help you build a picture of a school include number of tenured vs. adjunct professors, number of transfer students in and out every year, and demographic information about the student body.
How to Choose Colleges to Apply to: Trust Yourself
While it's important to look at all of these different pieces of information and thoroughly do your research, you will know best whether a school meets all of your criteria. Visit campuses, read brochures, and chat with admissions officers and current students. Take in all that information and see how you feel about the school.
Research will only take you so far, and there's no "right answer" regarding how to choose colleges. You'll know if a college belongs on your list.
Your Future Is Waiting
At K12, we know that for those choosing to continue their education after graduation, building your college list and selecting colleges to apply to is a focal point of your high school career.
We're here to help you every step of the way as you build your journey toward achieving your dreams.
