How (and Why) to Narrow Down Your List of College Choices

When you are young, the world is your oyster — full of possibilities and choices, and it is up to you to make the best of them. That’s why taking a scattershot approach to choosing colleges and universities is not a good idea.

So, what is the best strategy to follow when deciding at which institutes of higher learning you want to matriculate? Below are some tips and information for making the best choices possible for your educational experience.

Do Your Research First

While you have many rich opportunities from which to choose, not all will be a good match for you. It is up to you, with the help of a career counselor, to narrow your options by researching which schools can best help you meet your educational and career goals.

Look Beyond the Websites

While a university’s or college’s website is a good place to begin, you must broaden your research past a school’s website. For one, a university website is a professionally curated montage of photos that they hope will attract students to enroll.

Do you know that those supposedly candid shots of students are carefully posed and edited? Students are chosen to represent certain ethnic groups and instructed to wear specific colors and to interact in predetermined ways. In other words, they are anything but a true representation of a school.

Do a Deeper Dive

One of the best ways to determine if a school will be a good fit for you is by talking to the students who already attend. If you are lucky, you may connect with an enrolled student who previously attended your high school. This is something that your high school guidance counselor may be able to arrange. You may even do so informally by talking with a friend’s older brother or sister who already is enrolled at the school.

But you can also research further by reading copies of the student-published school newspaper, reading reviews of the school in other publications and even following some of the social media profiles of those associated with the university or college.

Take a College Tour

Once you have your list down to about five or fewer potential choices, arranging to tour the college with a parent or guardian to accompany you is a good way to get the feel or “vibe” of a school. Again, be aware that your student-guided tour is designed to hit all the high spots of the university and steer you away from anything that could deter your enrollment. After the tour, you might wander around the campus unaccompanied by a school representative. Strike up a casual conversation with a few students to get some honest, non-rehearsed responses to your questions.

Alter Your Perspective

So much of college preparation focuses on selling yourself to the prospective university or college. But you should also mentally flip the script and ask yourself what each school has to offer you.

For instance, is the school diverse and welcoming to those of other cultures? Do they have programs and opportunities for international students to feel welcomed and respected on campus? Connecting with a student who shares your ethnic or cultural background can answer some of your questions and concerns far better than any college recruiter could.

If you are a laser-focused student who is already sure of your educational and career path, make sure that the department of the school you choose enjoys an excellent reputation. All schools have their strengths and weaknesses and you need to be informed to make the right decisions.

Email the department head yourself or ask your career counselor to set up an introduction during your school visit. Your meeting gives you a chance to ask some important questions and listen to what the school offers students on your career path.

Have a List of What You Need From Your University

Everyone has certain expectations of their college experience and non-negotiable amenities they must have or situations they cannot tolerate. For instance, you may want to attend an all-girl’s school or live in a non-smoking or co-ed dorm. Swimmers who exercise by doing laps in the lanes will want convenient access to a pool to have a quality college experience.

Be mindful that you should also be open to compromise in some areas. If the chemistry department is the best available for your career path but you might have to forgo something else, you must prioritize your expectations.

Compare the Financial Aid Offers

If you will need financial aid to cover your educational costs, make sure the schools to which you apply can meet your fiscal needs. Your counselor can help you discover all sources of assistance. Remember that if you can’t afford tuition and the many other costs associated with education, you’ll need a scholarship or aid.

Finally, live your best life at the school you love best!