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Choosing the Right Colleges
Choosing the Right Colleges
Students often choose colleges based on their intended major and whether they meet the school’s admission requirements. However, there are many other factors to consider when building your college list, including cost, location, size, campus culture, extracurricular opportunities, and academic programs.
As you build your college list, it is important to set realistic goals and create a balanced list of schools. Your list should include colleges where you are a strong match, as well as a few schools that may be more competitive.
Students should sort and categorize the colleges on their list to make sure they are setting realistic and achievable goals. Consider the criteria below to determine whether your college list provides a reasonable range of options and opportunities.
Remember, there is no single “best” college. The goal is to find the best fit for you academically, financially, personally, and professionally.
College Visits are held during all lunches on various dates during the fall and spring semesters.
A safety school is a college where your academic credentials are above the typical range for admitted students, making you reasonably confident you’ll be accepted.
Your safety schools should still be colleges you’d be happy to attend. It’s also important to have a financial safety school, one you and your family can afford even without financial aid or scholarships.
A match school is a college where your GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and class rank are within the typical range for admitted students.
While admission is never guaranteed, you have a reasonable chance of being accepted to a match school.
A reach school is a college where your GPA, SAT/ACT scores, or class rank are below the typical range for admitted students.
Admission is less likely, but not impossible. It’s okay to include a few reach schools on your college list, but make sure you also have match and safety schools.
COLLEGE RESEARCH TOOLS
COLLEGE RESEARCH TOOLS
The number one recommendation is for students and parents to research options and ask questions early.
Below are search tools to help you reseacrch colleges, degrees and careers.
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