College Search

Research. Research. Research.

The college search process can be overwhelming and you may find yourself not knowing where to begin - and, that's ok! There are lots of ways you can start checking out colleges. The earlier you start doing your research, the sooner you will figure out what you like - and don't like. The goal is to find a good match for you - somewhere you can call home for the next four years.

Always remember your future success is largely determined by you, not your college. College is what you make of it. So you can go to any number of the thousands of colleges and universities and graduate ready for whatever the real world throws at you.

First, Ask yourself some important questions

By now, you’ve probably heard the same question over and over:

Where are you going to college?

Before you settle on the “where,” there are a few questions to answer.

Why do you want to go to college?

Is there a particular job you want to have? Are there skills you want to learn?

Is there an area of the country or the world you want to experience?

Think about what your life looks like now. What do you want to keep, and how would you like for it to change?

This helpful guide put out by Georgia Tech will help guide you in your college search

ways to begin THE search PROCESS

UTILIZING SCOIR

Saint John Vianney provides all students with a powerful search and application tool called Scoir. (www.scoir.com). Students can use this tool to build their college list, search for scholarships, find out which colleges will be visiting SJV and ultimately, manage admission applications. Parents can also create and connect an account to their student. How to utilize this tool.

YouScience x SCOIR

YouScience is the science of YOU – how your mind is wired, what makes you tick, the skills and knowledge that set you apart. You have talent and there’s a path that’s right for you. SCOIR has partnered with YouScience to allow students to take a Career and Aptitude Assessment will allow you to discover career suggestions that can help drive your college search and discovery.

Personalized Career Matching
In-Depth Career Information
Insights about YOUR abilities and strengths
Match Favorite Careers to Majors to guide your college search

This can be found in the "My Profile" section of SCOIR.

CAMPUS TOURS

A key part of deciding which college to go to is finding a good fit. A great way to get more information is to visit colleges in person. Of course, visiting colleges may not be possible for everyone, but it’s a good idea to make the trips, if you can. Visits can help you determine whether a college is the right place for you. A college catalog, brochure or website can only show you so much. To really get a feel for the college, you need to walk around the quad, speak with students and faculty, and view the residence halls. Most colleges have scheduled daily tours with information sessions or weekend Open House events. It is always wise to call the Admissions Office in advance to learn the times of programs and to determine if an appointment is necessary. Some Offices of Admission will make arrangements for additional engagement experiences like sitting in on a class or going to lunch with a student. The Guidance Department strongly recommends that a student make every effort to visit a school before making a final commitment to enroll. There is usually ample time to visit after the acceptance has been received and before the deposit is due, with the exception of early decision. The early decision candidate should have visited the college before making application.

Not sure what to ask on a campus tour? See the enclosure with a list of questions to ask.

The college visit experience has gone virtual

Colleges are getting very creative with how they connect with students virtually. There are more ways to research and connect with colleges than ever before. While nothing can replace the experience of physically walking on a campus, here are some ways to stay connected until you can visit campus:

1. College Websites

First check each college websites to see whether they have closed campus or are continuing to offer prospective student visits. Each admissions webpage will also include videos highlighting the campus and links to any virtual tours or online information sessions offered in lieu of in-person tours.

2. YouVisit.com

This can be accessed in the parent or student Scoir account. A YouVisit tour will give you a look at the size and feel of a campus, student housing, what a typical dorm looks like, dining options, and more. The tours also highlight some of the well-known programs offered at each college.

3. CampusReel.org

This website offers student-generated videos and tours. Get a true insider’s perspective and learn everything you want to know about dorm life, campus traditions, and more!

4. Google: “College Name” Virtual Tour

This is another way to find videos or tours of campuses. The results from this kind of search will turn up official school videos, student recorded tours, and more!

5. YouTube

Most colleges have their own YouTube channel, and I’d recommend starting there. There are usually tons of interesting videos highlighting campus traditions, alumni accomplishments, student clubs, cool classes, and notable professors. These videos truly give viewers small snippets into life at the college and can be even more informative than a tour on campus.

6. Follow Colleges on Social Media

Colleges have announced that they will begin doing guided tours and information sessions via Facebook Live and Instagram Live. This is all the more reason to follow prospective colleges on social media.

7. Stay in Touch with College Admissions Offices

Even if colleges close, employees will still be working and accessible by phone and email. Continue checking college websites to see if any virtual informationsessions are being offered and to find out when colleges open again for tours.

COLLEGES VISITING SJV & LOCAL COLLEGE FAIRS

Every fall (late September – mid-November) and Spring (March – April) over 100 colleges from across the US and world visit Saint John Vianney. The schedule is posted on your Scoir account and on the SJV website. Most visits take place during lunch where the admission reps from each college are set up mini-fair style in the gym with tables of information. Colleges also come at other times during the school day for Instant decision opportunities to give on-the-spot admission decision. Students can sign up for these visits on Scoir and receive reminders when colleges will be visiting. This is a great opportunity for students to make a connection with the admission representatives who will likely be reading their applications.

Monmouth County Guidance Counselor Association also hosts two college fairs during the school year at Brookdale Community College or Monmouth University. The college fairs take place in April and October and attract over 300 colleges from across the US and world.

VIRTUAL COLLEGE FAIRS

AND lastly...

There is almost certainly more than one “right” college for you. Some might be reach schools, some might be safeties. In any case, when you’re searching for colleges, try to remember what college should be. It's a place where:

You're comfortable being yourself—but also challenged to be better.
You find people to talk with late into the night—whether it’s because you totally agree with each other or you’re debating something you care about.
You have opportunities to study things that fascinate you, play the sports you want to play, work at internships that help clarify your career plans, and join the clubs you want to join—and you are expected to take advantage of those opportunities, because they won’t just fall in your lap.
You learn how to learn, communicate well, and solve problems—skills all employers want to see, no matter what industry.
And you can get this kind of education without breaking the bank and taking on crazy amounts of student debt.

FIND OUT WHAT COLLEGES WANT TO SEE IN AN APPLICANT

Ready to start making your college list?

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