For many students, the word “college” brings to mind images of sunny days playing Frisbee on green grass; or long nights studying in the library. But whether you’re just beginning to plan for college or already trying to decide which offer to accept, there’s a big question you need to answer: What school is the right one for me?
You often hear the term “best-fit” thrown around, as if there were only one, correct solution. It can feel like there’s a secret code to figuring out where you should go to school, one that everyone around you has already solved. Fortunately, it’s no secret and really more like a set of guidelines to follow.
Here are 5 tips to help crack the code and find the best-fit school for you. (As part of the Best of NJ back to school College 101 Guide):
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Start with your Outcome in Mind
If you have a specific career in mind, schools with a strong focus in your field are a great way to start your list. Not sure what you want to do? You’re definitely not alone–as many as half of freshmen students nationwide begin college undeclared. If you’re looking to keep your options open, larger universities (made up of multiple, more specialized colleges) offer a variety of majors ranging from architecture to zoology.
Do your Research!
Visit each school’s website and don’t be afraid to look around. Start with the Admissions page if you’ve never been to a school’s site before. This section will give you a quick overview of the school, along with important statistics such as class size, total enrollment and what majors are offered. Explore the rest of the website to find what additional resources the school provides for their current students. Check out their sports teams and see what student clubs are available. You never know…you might end up as captain of the Quidditch Team or secretary of the Astrobiology Club.
Visit the Campus
You’ll know which school is a good fit when you feel confident and comfortable with your decision; you need to be able to see yourself there. The best way to do that is to take a campus tour or even schedule an overnight visit. Research has shown time and time again that visiting a campus can be the most important factor when making a college decision. Seeing first-hand the classrooms, residence halls, other students, and campus alive with activity will give you a sense of what daily life will be like and help you decide if you can picture yourself there.
What’s your Style?
College campuses come in many shapes and sizes, from smaller liberal-arts colleges to sprawling urban universities. Urban schools feature late-night dining, museums and theaters, along with access to an unlimited source of companies offering internship and employment opportunities. Many city schools have apartment-style residence halls, and it’s not uncommon for students to take buses or trains between buildings. If you’re less comfortable with an urban environment, a smaller school may be a better choice. The self-contained, traditional college campus offers everything right outside your door. Think carefully about which option is a better fit for you.
Size Does Matter
Compared to a high school with 800 students, a college with 4,000 undergraduates may seem large, but would actually be considered a small school. Large schools, like some flagship state schools, can have well over 50,000 students enrolled. These large institutions are well equipped to support research, offer extensive study abroad options, and provide students with long lists of majors to choose from. Smaller schools, with enrollment in the 2,000-5,000 student range, typically specialize in fewer programs of study and feature small classes and personalized attention from faculty and staff. Do your research and visit schools in person to find your ideal balance between big and small.
Hero (Top) Feature Image: gstockstudio/Depositphotos, Inc.
Additional Images (in order) Courtesy:
Wikimedia/Anton Bielousov
Wikimedia/Mark Schellhase
Wikimedia/Tulane Public Relations
Anthony Muccio is a former college admissions professional and education researcher currently advising students one-on-one with his private practice. After years working at large state and small private schools, he decided to spend time focusing on helping unique learners reach their full potential.
