College Search Process
Conducting a college search is hard work, but you have abundant resources at your fingertips here at LHS. You will have questions along the way. Ask your counselor - if you aren’t sure what to ask, tell them that. You will hear reports about specific colleges from various sources – whether from people you know or pop culture and media. Resist stereotypes and investigate for yourself. Start your research online, with Naviance, or with a good college guidebook. Collect information and materials as you go. Many students create their own college information file.
Please note that the following links provide general information. More detailed information can be found in the Post-Secondary Guidebook.
Stages of Building a College List
Factors to consider during the college search process...
Researching college options is among the most important tasks you will perform. There are many factors to take into consideration, but several questions stand out as particularly significant. Be patient with yourself. You may not be certain about any of the questions below. That's ok! You may think one way now and change your mind after visiting several colleges. That's ok too! It's all part of the process.
1. Geographic and Nature of the College
Size of School: small (under 3,000), mid-size (3,000-10,000), large (over 10,000), or super-sized (20,000+).
Setting and Location: large city, college town, rural/small town, or suburban.
Distance from Home: hour drive, five-hour drive, day's drive, train ride, or plane flight.
Nature of the Institutions: liberal arts colleges, comprehensive colleges with Master programs, or major research universities.
2. Intellectual Culture of the College
Is there a strong department in my area of academic interest? How easy is it to switch majors? Add minors?
Size of classes? Who teaches the classes? Who handles the grading?
Availability and interest of the faculty in teaching undergraduates?
What are the other students like? Do they enjoy studying? Do they take their work seriously?
Intensity: degree of independence expected
How many students get practical, real-world experience through internships or off-campus field experiences?
What learning support services are available?
How satisfied are students with academic advising?
3. Social Culture of the College
What activities and clubs are available? What is the focus on sports in the life of the college?
What is the campus diversity in respect to your priorities - race, religion, cultural makeup?
Residential life: how many years do students live on campus? What are the dorms like? Is campus housing guaranteed?
What is the depth of political, artistic, athletic life on campus given your interests?
4. Extracurricular opportunities beyond the traditional curriculum
Study abroad, or specialized study within the United States
College exchanges, consortia, and linkage with other colleges' programs
How active will the college be in supporting your interests?
5. Graduate outcomes of the College
It is increasingly important to know about the outcomes of a college - the placement programs (jobs or graduate school). Are they proactive, who handles the advising, when does it start and do they help with summer job placement?