College is a big decision — I mean, this is where you’ll spend the next four (or more) years of your life. And there are enough choices to drive anyone insane, including online colleges, Ivy League universities, and everything in between!
How do you choose?
Research.
Skrrt… say what?
We know, we know, the last thing you want to do after a long day of school is sit down and research more about school.
For real, though — this is the time to find out as much as you can about your college options.
And this is good research. It’s not all about acceptance rates and SAT scores. It’s also about where you want to actually live, the best places to hang with friends, and what kind of campus life you want.
This is one research project that’s all about you!
How to research the best college for you in 7 steps
By the end of this process, you should have a better idea of what your dream school is and what will get you there.
1. Get clear on what you’re looking for in a college
First things first: Determine your priorities. What are the most important things in your college decision process?
Here are some things to consider:
- Academic programs. Do you have a specific major in mind? Is there a particular field of study you want to explore?
- Location. Do you want to study close to home or spread your wings a little and go somewhere else? Are you looking for an urban, suburban, or rural setting? Do you want to be close to a specific city? What kinds of things do you want nearby?
- Size. Would you like to be on a large, active campus with a lot of people all around you? Or would you rather feel like part of a close-knit community? Does class size or faculty-to-student ratio matter?
- Tuition cost. Is the cost of college an issue? If so, you’ll want to learn about financial aid packages and scholarships. Could an in-state university be more affordable?
You might even have additional preferences outside of these, such as the university’s prestige, campus activities, student organizations, or something else entirely.
These are the kinda deets you need to know. Asking these questions will help you narrow your options — and make your next steps much easier!
2. Search for colleges by attribute on College Rover
Once you determine your college search priorities, it’s time to start looking. Search through your college options and use your priorities to filter through your choices.
College Rover is made for this.
With College Rover, you can search for colleges and universities by specific attributes. Filters include region, public/private, student population size, admission rate, tuition, and schools targeting specific ethnicities.
This helps you narrow your list to the top schools that fit your needs and preferences.
3. Create a list of schools that are the best fit for you
Once you’ve searched through all the colleges that meet your criteria, it’s time to create a college list. This list should include the colleges and universities that fit you best.
4. Request information about each college or university
Now, it’s time to dig a little deeper.
Start by going online. Check out college websites and their social media profiles to do your own vibe check. You can discover a lot with just these resources. Sure, you’ll find out about courses and degree programs, but you can also get the tea on student life and whether it’s a place you’d actually vibe with.
Here are some things to look for as you start digging:
- Facts and figures. This part can be a bit of a snooze, but hear us out. Statistics like graduation rates, acceptance rates, required GPAs, and faculty ratios can tell you a lot about a school. For starters, you can learn more about your chances of getting in and the coursework difficulty.
- Academics. Look through course catalogs and degree programs to see if any catch your eye. Read up on the different professors you’ll have and see if any seem interesting (psst — you can check out Rate my Professors for tips on which professors to take and which to avoid)
- Student life. There’s a lot more to the college experience than academics. Check out athletics, extracurricular activities, and the makeup of student bodies. This will give you the full picture of what your social life might be like on campus.
Extend your research to other platforms, not just school websites. College Rover is an excellent resource to research universities you are interested in and dig deep to get all kinds of info.
Most college websites will have an area to request additional undergraduate admissions information. Call the university’s admissions office to request the information if you don’t find it online.
5. Reach out to an admissions consultant
Admissions consultants are experts in the college admissions process. They know what colleges offer, the big differences between colleges, and what students need to do to qualify for admission.
A college admissions consultant can help you prepare for college in many ways. If you’re unsure what you want to do or study, they can guide you to a program based on your educational background and interests.
They can also help you narrow your options, create a timeline, provide advice on high school academics and extracurriculars, review your applications and essays, and give you valuable feedback.
While a high school guidance counselor offers many of these same services, sometimes they’re working with hundreds of students at a time. If you want more one-on-one, personalized attention, an admissions consultant may be just what you need.
6: Do an in-person college visit
By this point in the process, you may feel like you know everything you need to about a college or university. You might even be able to quote facts off the top of your head — go you! But knowing about a school and seeing it in person are two completely different experiences.
That’s why it’s essential to plan an in-person visit. As you visit these schools, you’ll be able to experience them for yourself — you know, IRL. Schedule a college tour to get an idea about campus life. Experience the campus vibe, see the dorms, talk to current students, and get a glimpse of what your life might be like there.
Some people realize that as good as the school seems on paper, the environment and overall vibe just aren’t right for them. And there’s no shame in that. I mean, you need your final college decision to feel right — and if it doesn’t, it’s good to find that out now!
7. Apply for your favorite colleges and universities
The research phase of your college search is over — phew! It’s now time to put what you’ve learned to good use and start filling out college applications.
But no sweat, you’ve totally got this!
Take that list of colleges you’ve been working on — probably a lot shorter now — and start plugging application deadlines and due dates into your calendar. You can even create a checklist of things you need to do, such as getting teacher recommendations and writing essays.
If you have a top school that you’re 100% certain about, why not put in an early decision application? This allows you to apply early to your top-choice school and find out whether you’re accepted well before other students — a definite win!
If you’re accepted in the early decision process and the financial aid package meets your needs, it’s time to agree to attend that college. This is a big decision, so make sure this is truly your top choice!
Easily compare the best colleges and universities with College Rover
Let’s be FR — research takes time, and it’s not the most exciting thing. But, if you put in the time now, you’re much more likely to find a school you legit love.
At College Rover, we’re all about making your college research easier.
With our search and comparison tool, you can filter through the most important college attributes and compare your top colleges and their rankings to find the best college that checks all your boxes!
