Finding Your Fit

There are many factors to consider when choosing a college. Below are some of the different categories you can consider, but you should also be asking yourself questions about what is the best fit for you in a college experience. This requires introspection, reflection, and research. The Colleges That Change Lives organization has put together a guide of questions you can ask yourself to help you determine the fit factors that are most important to you.

Four Year Schools

• Universities: Institutions made up of several colleges, where each may have different admissions and graduation requirements. Universities offer a broad range of majors and degrees.

• Liberal Arts Colleges: Usually these schools require a more diverse program of study for graduation.

• Specialized Colleges: Schools offering a limited number of programs, usually focused on technical education or fine arts.

Two Year Schools

• Community Colleges: Offer associate degree programs. A broad offering of courses, most of which is equivalent to the first two years of a four-year school.

• Vocational / Technical Schools: Specialized schools that offer specific programs and do not require study in areas outside the program of interest.

Location

• City/Urban: Offer accessibility to a broad range of cultural, employment, and recreational opportunities.

• Suburban: Offer the best of both worlds. They are found within a well-developed town, offering students access to jobs, recreation, & facilities.

• Rural: Offer a wide variety of out-of-class activities on campus. Campus is the central focus.

Admission Selectivity

• Open: All high school graduates accepted, to limit of capacity.

• Liberal: Accepts many freshmen with ~ C+ GPA or higher.

• Traditional: Accepts freshmen with ~ B average GPA or higher.

• Selective: Majority of accepted freshmen with ~B+/A- average GPA + Honors/AP Courses

School Size

• Small: 3,000 or fewer students; Smaller class sizes throughout four years; Greater chance to participate.

• Mid-sized: 3,000 – 12,000 students; More personalized approach than large schools; More options than small schools

• Large: 12,000+ students; Large Gen Ed class sizes; More diverse curriculum, Greater variety of activities & organizations

In addition to using SchooLinks to search for college based on your preferred criteria, you can check out some of these other college search tools below.

College Scorecard

College Navigator

BigFuture College Search

Cappex College Search

Not all colleges/universities are alike. They vary in size, category, cost and admission policies. The following chart is a general guideline to follow, to determine admission eligibility. Factors to consider are coursework, grades, GPA, test scores, major area, talents, school participation, special circumstances, community activities, letters of recommendation, personal essay, and related career exploration.

The following information is not an absolute rule – these are general guidelines to consider in selecting a category for your college/university search.

• Most Selective

  • Recommended HS Coursework: 4 yrs. English / 4 yrs. Advanced Math / 4 yrs. Lab Science / 4 yrs. Social Studies / 4 yrs. Foreign Language; Majority Honors/AP courses

  • Average GPA / Test Scores: 4.3+ Weighted GPA / SAT: 1500+ / ACT: 32+

  • Examples: Ivy League Schools, Stanford, Notre Dame, Univ. of Chicago, Northwestern Univ.
    
    

• Very Selective

  • Recommended HS Coursework: 4 yrs. English / 4 yrs. Advanced Math / 4 yrs. Lab Science / 4 yrs. Social Studies / 4 yrs. Foreign Language; Honors/AP courses recommended

  • Average GPA / Test Scores: 3.8+ Weighted GPA / SAT: 1280+ / ACT: 28+

  • Examples: Big Ten (especially engineering/business), Michigan, Wisconsin, Military Academies, Creighton

Selective

• • Recommended HS Coursework: 4 yrs. English / 3-4 yrs. Advanced Math / 3-4 yrs. Lab Science / 3-4 yrs. Social Studies / 3-4 yrs. Foreign Language; Some Honors/AP courses recommended

  • Average GPA / Test Scores: 3.3+ Weighted GPA / SAT: 1160+ / ACT: 24+

  • Examples: Major State/Private Universities, UIC, ISU, Bradley, Iowa, Minnesota

Traditional

• • Recommended HS Coursework: 4 yrs. English / 3 yrs. Math (including Alg. 2) / 3 yrs. Lab Science / 3 yrs. Social Studies / 2-4 yrs. Foreign Language; 1 yrs. Fine Art

  • Average GPA / Test Scores: 3.0+ Weighted GPA / SAT: 1020+ / ACT: 20+

  • Examples: Many State College/Universities, NIU, EIU, Western Michigan, Carthage, Carroll, Lewis

Flexible Admissions

• • Recommended HS Coursework: 4 yrs. English / 3 yrs. Math (including Alg. 2) / 3 yrs. Lab Science / 3 yrs. Social Studies / 2-4 yrs. Foreign Language, 1 yrs. Fine Art; Tends to be more flexible with requirements

  • Average GPA / Test Scores: 2.7+ Weighted GPA / SAT: 900+ / ACT: 18+

  • Examples: Some Private/State, Ferris State, Benedictine, WIU, SIU

Open Admissions

• • Recommended HS Coursework: High school graduation

  • Example: College of DuPage

Specialized Programs

• • Recommended High school graduation; Varying additional requirements

  • Other Requirements: Fine Arts - Portfolio and/or Audition; Trades - Aptitude Test

  • Examples: Conservatory programs, Columbia Chicago, Trade/Technical schools

College Rep Visits at The PARC

Demonstrate interest in colleges by attending College Rep Visits in the Postsecondary Advising & Resource Center (PARC). Click here for instructions on how to sign-up for these visits.

College Fairs

Your College & Career Counselor will share out information on upcoming college fairs (both local & national) as it becomes available.

Campus Visits

There are many ways to find out about a college: websites, brochures and college fairs; but there is no substitute for seeing the campus yourself. Here are some tips for attending On-Campus Visit Tips.  You can also refer to our Questions to Ask While Visiting resource document. If you do have the opportunity to visit a campus, please consider the following:

Before you go:

• Go to the Admissions Website to discover what visit opportunities are available and register online.

•         Inquire about attending an information session, visiting classes, or talking with the faculty, if interested.

• If you want to stay overnight in a residence hall, ask if they can assist with arrangements.

• Research the college using resources from The PARC or on the school’s website.

• Make a list of questions you want answered.

While you are on campus:

• • Talk to as many students as possible

  • Take a tour of the campus

  • Sit in on a class

  • Have a meal in the cafeteria

  • Pick-up copies of the college newspaper/magazine

Questions to ask during your visit

• • Are campus jobs readily available?

  • Are faculty members interested in students and accessible outside of class?

  • How many hours a week do you typically study?

  • What do you like most about this college/university? What do you like least?

  • Are the athletic facilities open to all students, or just to athletes?

  • Do students typically go home on the weekends?

  • What’s available nearby (stores, movie theater, restaurants, etc.)?

  • Ask yourself – Can I see myself here with these people?