How do you find your best-fit college? And when should you start researching and applying to colleges? Read on to have all your college research questions answered!
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are nearly 6,000 U.S. colleges and universities. Needless to say, picking the perfect college isn’t as easy as choosing what you’re having for dinner!
Every university has something unique to offer, but there is much to consider when choosing the right college for you. Without further adieu, let’s talk about how to do college research!
So, how do you start researching colleges? Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to do college research.
Before beginning your research, you’ll narrow your list by identifying your priorities and determining factors. These are the factors you should consider first:
Knowing what you’re looking for helps eliminate what you don’t want. For example, if you’ve decided you want to go to college far away from your hometown, you can rule out colleges in your home state.
Focusing on what’s most important to you is the first step in beginning your college research.
Marina, a former member of the admissions committee at UChicago, talks about the importance of self-reflection in our webinar on college research.
"I think the whole college consideration application process involves a lot of self-reflection. It might sound kind of cheesy or silly, but really that's such a beneficial part of this experience is really figuring out what is interesting to you, what are your goals… A great place to start is through self-reflection and thinking about what works for you, what makes you happy, and what doesn’t.”
A great way to begin researching colleges is by attending college fairs: many high schools offer them annually.
Once you’ve identified your preferences, your search will become much more manageable. Talking to people who work for different colleges will provide the relevant insights you need to determine possible options.
Go into your college fairs with your preliminary list and a pad of paper. Take notes as you learn more about each school, such as:
If your high school doesn’t hold college fairs, you can do research from home. If you want more help than searching on your own, consider contacting an admissions consultant to help navigate your search.
You’re now ready to narrow your list to the colleges you’re sure you want to apply to.
The colleges you’ll apply to should be places where you can see yourself thrive and should meet your preferences. Remember, this is where you’ll spend the next four years of your life!
You’re not alone if you’re unsure what to look for when researching colleges. Before starting your college research, consider these factors:
Before beginning your search, do some self-reflection. Here are some questions to ask when researching colleges.
It’s challenging to determine what you want to do with the rest of your life so early. And it’s okay if you don’t know yet! But if you have some general ideas, they can help direct your search.
Consider what classes, hobbies, and extracurriculars you enjoy most. Then, you can try to align a major with your interest areas. Remember, you generally don’t have to choose a major until your second year of college, but identifying your interests can help you find programs you’d love to attend.
Admissions expert Jennifer gives the following advice about researching programs and majors:
"For the majors, minors, concentrations that you might be interested in, we do encourage you to read up on the faculty who are doing research in the areas that you're interested in. Look at the curriculum for each major as kind of a roadmap for your next four years of education after high school."
Some people are reluctant to move away from home, and some can’t wait to explore and live independently in a brand-new place. Going to a college in a new place can be intimidating, whether you’re a three-hour drive or a plane ride away from home.
Think about how often you want to visit home and potential travel time and expenses. For example, if you live in New York and want to stay close to home, you can search for in-state schools like Columbia or NYU.
Colleges offer many extracurricular opportunities that could help you make your decision. Some extracurricular programs can even help you pay for college or stand out in your application.
For example, are you interested in sports? Many colleges have excellent athletic opportunities, from simply participating on a team to earning athletic scholarships.
From theater clubs to hockey teams, you should play into your interests and strengths.
Extracurriculars are a great way to make new friends and fit into your new community!
This is an important question for many reasons. If you want to attend a large school like the University of Florida, your introductory classes may be in a spacious hall with a few hundred students, and your teacher most likely won’t recognize you or your name throughout the semester.
On the other hand, a small campus is easier to navigate, and class sizes will be significantly smaller. But smaller campuses may feel like a high school setting, where everyone knows everyone.
There’s no right or wrong choice here. Once again, it’s based on your preferences. Consider the relationships you want with students and teachers: do you value a close-knit community, or do you prefer some anonymity?
To help make this an easier decision for you, you can try out our quiz down below! This interactive tool will help you decide whether a big or small college is for you.
Having a general idea of your financial limitations for college is a huge help. Sit down with your parents or a school counselor to discuss your budget. If you’re financially limited, it isn’t the end of the world.
FAFSA and other financial aid programs can significantly cut your costs. However, remember that you’ll have to repay these loans after graduation. Your GPA, ACT, and SAT scores may also qualify you for scholarships that you don’t have to repay,
You may also be able to make college more affordable by studying in-state: some schools offer reduced rates for in-state students.
Since you’ll spend four years or more in college, it’s essential to consider the city or town you’ll be living in. Do you prefer the hustle and bustle of a busy city? Or do you prefer the quiet, peaceful aura of a rural town?
Big cities tend to be more expensive compared to rural settings. These additional costs add up in many big-city college towns in terms of:
It’s also essential to think about opportunities to explore your interests and hobbies. Obtaining a college degree is hard work, but you should still be able to have fun where you live!
It’s important to consider how you want to spend your time outside of the classroom. College is largely a social experience, so think about how your chosen college might fulfill your social expectations.
Consider housing, for instance. How are the dorms set up on campus? How many roommates might you have? Would you need to share a bedroom?
Meals and dining are also important. Are you required to participate in a meal plan? Will you cook meals in your dorm? Where do students typically eat their meals?
You may also want to think about things like Greek life, on-campus clubs, regular school events, and the local community of the city.
Honestly, evaluating your stats can help you choose colleges. While many colleges don’t have SAT/ACT or GPA cutoffs, comparing your stats to past admitted students can help gauge your competitiveness.
Here is an example of a class profile from Emory University:
Source: Emory University
You should start your college research as early as possible. Your junior year of high school is a good time to begin your college research. Your junior/senior years of high school are when you’ll take the ACT or SAT, which is important for college applications. Your scores and GPA can help you determine safety, target, and reach schools.
Junior year is your time to explore, ask questions, and learn about colleges. Senior year is the time to finalize your college list and apply: it takes time to find the right college!
The first place you should start when researching a college is its website. You can find plenty of helpful information there, including available programs and departments, information on student life, and admission requirements.
Another good resource, especially when you’re putting together an application, is the Common Data Set. This will tell you average SAT/ACT scores, GPA ranges, number of admitted students, factors in the selection process, class demographics, and more.
Outside sources are also helpful. You can look up reviews of certain colleges or even read ratings of professors that you might take classes with. You can also talk to alumni or admissions counselors as well as visit campuses to get a better feel of what life is like at a particular college.
For more in-depth information on various top colleges, you can also check out our college guides! These downloadable guides will help you conduct college research easily and quickly.
Finalizing your college list is no simple feat. It takes reflection, preparation, and research. If you’re struggling to make decisions, planning college visits can help. Sometimes, a physical visit can help you determine if the school is a good fit for you.
When you go on these college visits, take notes and ask lots of questions. As a bonus, talking to the person leading a college tour is an excellent opportunity for you to see the college through a current student’s eyes.
Looking for some quick ideas on which schools you should apply to? Our College Selection Quiz can help you find your ideal school!
Do you still have questions about school research and how to find your best-fit college? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.
There’s no specific number that you need to be shooting for. However, most students typically apply to 7-12 schools.
Keep your preferences as a “checklist” while researching colleges. If you’re researching a college that meets your criteria, it’s a great fit! If you’re still unsure, try to visit the school so you can see it and learn more in person.
College research can take many forms: for example, you can research school websites, attend college fairs, and visit schools.
College research ensures that the colleges you apply to are schools you’d actually like to attend. You’ll spend at least four years at the college you choose: you want to ensure you’ll enjoy yourself!
Some of the best online college search resources include the College Navigator and application portals like the Common and Coalition Apps.
When you research colleges, you should consider:
You should also consider the college’s extracurricular activities or other opportunities and the school’s culture.
Starting your research can feel daunting, but once you determine your preferences, you can start wherever you like. Look at school websites, compare schools, and use your stats to build a varied school list.
The biggest mistake you could make when choosing a college is picking a college for the wrong reasons. When conducting college research, ensure you keep your wants and needs in mind.
Finding the right school isn’t easy, and it’s not something you decide overnight! Doing the necessary research is essential to making the right choice.
Identifying what’s most important to you in a school is crucial. If you’ve identified your preferences and make the time to perform the necessary research, you’re sure to find the right school for you.
