Identify the Elements that
Will Influence Your Decision

Overview

In this section, you will explore a wide range of possibilities after high school and reflect on which options resonate most with your personal goals and interests. You will be equipped to make informed decisions regarding post-high-school options such as 4-year universities, community colleges, skilled trades, gap years, global programs, and entrepreneurship. 

By the end of this section, you will understand the different types of colleges and educational pathways available, including 4-year universities, community colleges, trade schools, gap years, and global opportunities.

Learn

In this activity, you will be introduced to factors such as school size, location, academic programs, and campus culture - key elements that influence your decision and help focus your attention when choosing a college or post-high school pathway. The BigFuture College Quiz* can help you identify the types of colleges that match your preferences in terms of size, location, and programs. Also, you will gain personalized recommendations that will help narrow down your search and guide you toward the right educational fit for you.

Follow the steps below to complete the BigFuture College Quiz*:

• 1. Click BigFuture College Quiz* or the image linked below.

  2. On the homepage, click the “Sign Up” button or “Create Account” link. You will be prompted to enter some basic information:

     • First Name

     • Last Name

     • Email Address (Use an active, personal email address that you check regularly)

     • Password (Create a secure password that you can remember)

     • Date of Birth

  3. Once all your information has been entered, click on “Sign Up”

  4. Confirm Your Email Address

     • After signing up, BigFuture will send a confirmation email to the email address you provided during sign-up.

     • Check your inbox and spam/junk folder if it doesn't appear in your inbox.

     • Click the confirmation link in the email to verify your account.

  5. Log In to BigFuture

     • Once your email is confirmed, go back to the BigFuture website and log in using the email address and password created during the sign-up process.

  6. Access the BigFuture College Quiz

     • After logging in, go to the “College Search” section, and under that, click on “College Quiz”

  7. Take the Quiz

     • The BigFuture College Quiz will prompt you with a series of questions about your preferences for school size, location, academic programs, and lifestyle.

     • Answer the questions based on your interests and future goals.

  8. Review Personalized Results

     • Once completed, you will receive personalized recommendations for colleges and educational pathways aligned with your answers.

     • Use the results to narrow down your college search and think about which educational path fits with your goals.

  9. Log Out or Continue Exploring

     • After reviewing the results, you can log out of your BigFuture account or continue exploring other features, such as researching colleges, financial aid options, and more.

*© 2025 College Board

Apply

(Optional) Use the information you learned to complete the activity outlined below.

After completing the BigFuture College Quiz and reflecting on your results, reflect on the following questions:

• What did you learn about your preferences from the quiz results? 

Reflect on the types of colleges or pathways (e.g., 4-year universities, community colleges, trade schools, global programs, etc.) that were recommended. Do these recommendations align with what you expected? Why or why not?

• What factors did you identify as most important to you in choosing a post-high school option? 

Consider things like school size, location, academic programs, campus culture, and cost. Which of these factors stood out most in your results? Were there any surprises?

• What are some pathways you are now more interested in exploring further?

Based on your quiz results, which educational pathways (i.e. a specific type of college, a trade school, or a gap year program) are you now more curious about or excited to learn more about?

• What did you learn about yourself through this quiz that you didn’t know before?

Was there any new information or insight about your preferences, values, or goals that you discovered through taking the quiz? How might this change your decision-making process as you move forward?

Click the link to access Module 2 Section 02 - Explore College Types to Understand College Fit.