College Fit Matters More Than Rankings: How to Find the Right College

Many students apply to colleges without knowing much about them. Often, colleges are selected based on ranking alone, which is not the most important factor to consider. Fit will have a greater impact.

Fit can be determined by researching specific aspects of a college, such as offered majors, curriculum, campus size, location, and student population size. Some students may not want to be at a large school and may be overwhelmed while others may thrive in the same environment. Some students may want to be in a large city while others prefer a rural campus. These factors are all very important in determining the experience a student will have in college, and subsequent success in the setting. By completing in-depth research about colleges applicants will have a much better understanding of which schools are a match for them. Applicants will also be more prepared to write college application essays.

Reading reviews online about colleges from current students and alumni will also allow for an insider look at daily life on campus. A great online resource for reviews is unigo.com. Some colleges have qualities that are not made clear on official websites. For instance, some colleges may have an extremely competitive environment, which could affect the college experience of a prospective applicant. Additionally, a college may place emphasis on academics instead of sports, which could be a deal breaker for a student looking for school spirit and college level athletics.

Campus visits can be a good option for establishing a great fit. Some high schools excuse a limited number of absences for college visits, so check your school's attendance policy. Many colleges offer guided tours for much of the year, but tours and information sessions are offered on certain dates only and can fill up. If certain colleges are out of state and students are unable to visit, then attending local information sessions is a good alternative. These are organized by admissions officers from their respective colleges and are very informative for students and families. Some are joint sessions in which admissions officers from several colleges present together on a single date. Most require advance registration, which can usually be completed online, and many colleges also offer virtual information sessions.

Fit also includes competitiveness based on admissions statistics. Important factors to compare to a student's applicant profile are GPA and standardized test scores. A student should be at or above a college's average GPA and have test scores within the 25th and 75th percentile (middle 50%). At test-optional colleges, these ranges reflect only students who submitted scores. These are just general recommendations to consider. Just because a student does not have matching stats does not mean they cannot get accepted as other important factors are considered, such as extracurricular and individual circumstances.

When selecting a college to apply to, consider more than just rank. There are many other factors to consider to ensure students find satisfaction and success during their college experience.