Focusing on the Right Fit Makes the College Search Easier — and More Fun
It’s that time of year when young people are consumed with stress about getting into college. Juniors and seniors in high school are making final decisions. There are some key things students and parents can do to make the process easier and more productive.
First, take a deep inhale and exhale. In recent years, a lot of unnecessary pressure has built up around the college application process, and it’s primarily driven by declining acceptance rates A small number of elite schools. There’s a sense that if you don’t get into one of these schools, the college search process has been a failure. This is false.
Many colleges offer a high-quality education. Many colleges accept the majority of their applicants. All high school graduates will have great college options regardless of their choice. The top ten schools are the few dozen. U.S. News and World Report rankings Do not be the only ones providing quality education.
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How can parents and students ensure the best outcome? Begin by asking yourself the right questions: How can I find a college that my child will thrive in and be ready for success when they graduate?
Three things are necessary for college to be life-changing. First, students must establish a relationship with at least one faculty member. They must also be involved in academics as well as at least one activity, such as student government or sports, drama, clubs, or competitions. Third, they must be surrounded with peers who will bring out their best.
The likelihood of these three events happening for a potential applicant is not determined by Prestige. Fit is a far better indicator.
How do you assess fitness? Focus on your child. You can have a series honest conversations about their high-school experience. What were their favorite and least favourite things about high school? What are their best learning methods? Are there things they didn’t have a chance to do in high school that they might want to pursue in college? What types of people bring out their best? What subjects did they like? Which areas are they most interested in? Which environment would be best for them?
Next, look into universities that are within driving distance. They don’t have to be schools your child is applying to; just pick a small school, a large school, a rural school and an urban school to get a sense of what type of school might be a match. These short road trips are well worth the time.
Once you have an idea of where you want to go, it should make it easier to choose the right college. Next, parents and students need to narrow down the top choices and then register to visit. This is my view, the most important step in the college search process. Brochures and online materials can build up an image, but only after seeing a college in person do students get a real sense of the place and whether it’s for them or not. I have found that prospective students are more comfortable on campus when they see it in person if it is the right fit.
Do the school visit during school hours, if you can. More importantly, go beyond the campus tour by approaching students and asking a few questions about what it’s like there. You will gain a better understanding of the college and its culture if you can talk to a student about it for five minutes.
Students and their families tend to focus on interests that span from an academic program to a specific sport. These matters. If a student has a particular interest, he or she should apply to college where it can be pursued.
The following factors can also determine how fit you are:
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How can students make the orientation process easy to get off the ground?
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What is the best way to mentor and advise faculty?
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Are students able to change their majors?
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How can the university help students find a career and get a first job?
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What does campus social life look and feel like?
There are no right or wrong answers, and universities have different approaches — which is good, because students have different needs and interests. The fit will be determined by the answers.
Right now, my youngest child is in the middle of this process. We took her to a great university, which checks all her boxes and admits most applicants. We did it to make a point — getting into a great university is not the challenge; finding the right fit is, and it deserves all of our attention.
It’s possible to make college searching fun by focusing on the fit. It’s a great opportunity for bonding and to visit the wide range of excellent universities that make up our higher education system.