4 ways to find out if it's the right college

college buildingSo you’ve decided what your deal breakers are and the culture you’re looking for and narrowed down your choices. Now what?


Schedule campus visits, overnight if possible. This will show you firsthand how comfortable you’ll be at that college. You can see the dorms, facilities, and campus grounds for your own eyes. You’ll be able to get a sense of the culture you can’t experience through their website alone.

 

>>5 cultural considerations


Get in touch with current students. To get a complete view of the college, talk with someone with similar interests. Let admissions know you’d like to hear from someone in a major you’re interested in or the sports team you’re considering trying out for. It’s best if you can find people of the same gender and race, as well as from a similar socio-economic status. This way you’ll be able to get an insight to what your experience might be like at that college.


Talk to family and friends. If you have older friends or siblings that are in college, find out if they like their college and why.  Tell them what you’re looking for and ask if they think it would be a good fit for you too. They might be able to recommend other colleges you haven’t thought of or offer their own insight.


Make sure you’re choosing a college for the right reasons. Don’t choose a college based on who you’re dating or where your friends are going. Your friends’ choice of school might not be the best fit for you. If you both happen to choose the same college that’s one thing, but choosing a school because of your friends is another.

 

>>8 factors to help narrow down your search

 

>>Private vs. state university: What's the difference?