Developing Your College List
By Robert W Andrews
With more than 3,500 colleges in the United States alone, the
process of narrowing down the college search to 8-12 schools can be daunting. Students
who utilize research and develop their list systematically should find applying
to college easy, and perhaps even fun. A successful search process should
involve a great deal of self-reflection and open conversations with family and school
counselors. Students with a balanced list of colleges and universities will end
with strong choices. It is good to think about applying to at least three “reach”
schools, three “target” schools, and three “likely” schools. Some schools will
always be considered a “far reach” because of the sheer number of applicants
applying, but other schools could be a “likely” to one student and a “reach”
for another. Working with your college counselor closely to determine which
schools fall into those categories is crucial. This is a highly personalized
process. Post self-reflection, students are
advised to research schools by looking at college view books and websites, and
then ultimately visiting schools. Finally, talking with students who currently attend
schools you are considering is another important barometer in making the right
selection.
Self-Reflection
Before building a list, students are advised to reflect on
the type of educational and social experience they desire to have in college.
This process will help develop parameters for their college search. The major
areas to think about are:
1) Field
of study, undecided, pre-professional?
2) Social
feel? School Spirit? Traditions?
3) Specific
talent (athletics, arts, music, foreign language)?
4) Diversity?
5) Geography?
Urban? Rural?
6) Academic
Calendar: block plan, semester, trimester, 4-1-4, 4-4-1?
7) Financial
Aid Policies?
There are no “right answers,” this is personal journey.
Finding schools that are a good “fit” in your “reach”, “target”, and “likely
schools” is important to making the best college match.
If you are coming from a community where the vast majority
of kids do not end up at four year colleges, the chances are that many
“prestigious” schools will not have much name recognition. Do not let this
deter you from applying, even if members of your family or teachers in your
school don’t understand where you are applying. The benefits will become clear
later in life.
How
to Navigate a College Website
Once you have decided to research a particular school, the
best thing to do is to see what it has to say for itself – in its’ own
words. Go to the website and start to
explore. Some students have an easy time
surfing a college website, looking at the many sections; others don’t know
where to start. Here are a few pointers:
- Check out the history and mission of the school. Typically there is an “about” section on the main page. Take a look at why the school was founded, by whom and the values that the institution holds.
- Look at the “fast facts” or “in brief” section to learn about the basic information about the school.
- Visit the Admissions page and sign up for their mailing list. It may say “mailing list” or “request further information.” This will allow you to receive more publications in the mail.
- See who your admissions representative is for that particular school, so you know who will be reading your application. You also may want to contact this individual later to ask questions.
- Click on the “academics” page and see what majors and areas of study the school has to offer. Explore these pages in detail. If they have a major you think you might want to study, make sure to see what classes are listed and how many professors teach in that department. See if any of the professor’s interests match yours.
- Check out the “Student Life” page of the website. See what sorts of activities have happened during the last year. See what clubs and activities exist. Get a feel for life outside of the classroom.
- If you are an athlete, make sure to sign up to be a prospective recruit. You will need your statistics to fill out these forms, but they are important if you want coaches to contact you to play in college.
- Peruse the website for student videos and other items that look unique to the school.
Recommended
Guidebooks
There are many college guide books, but the following standout
for having useful and unique perspectives:
The
Fiske Guide, by Edward Fiske, is a more traditional
guidebook that offers rich descriptions of a variety of institutions.
The
Hidden Ivies, by Howard and Mathew Greene, offers a
strong guide to a diverse group of schools, but more important, it offers an
important chapter on the value of a small liberal arts college. A must read for
every college bound student and parent.
Loren Pope’s Colleges
that Change Lives has a title that says it all. (www.ctcl.org)
The
College Finder, by Steven Antonoff, is a great tool
for a veteran college counselor, but for a savvy student, this book is full of
amazing lists compiled to help sort colleges by multiple variables.
The
Final List
By the end of junior year in high school, you should have a
working list of about 10-25 colleges and/or universities; narrowing that list by
April of senior year to 8-12 schools. What you think you want in September of
your senior year might be completely different when April rolls around. Creating
a balanced and diverse list will ensure you make the best “fit” and keep you
from feeling stuck in the end.
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