Where Do I Apply?
Let’s start with a reality check: Does it make sense to limit your college search to only highly selective colleges? Only you can answer that. Ideally, you will have a range of colleges on your list, based not only upon selectivity, but also upon other important considerations: environment, programs, majors, sports, and the chance to be challenged both personally and academically. In the field of college counseling, we call this the right match. And there is no perfect college for you. There are a number of colleges that may be right for you. While it is true that there is undoubtedly a type of college which is more suited to your needs than another type, it is not wise to narrow your sights to only one or two colleges. A better plan is to investigate several possible options and you will discover that each one has its own advantages. There are 1677 2year colleges and 2675 4year colleges in the U.S. (National Center for Education Statistics).
Step 1: Factors to Consider in Researching and Selecting a College
What Not To Do:
Put any faith in US News and World Report or similar rankings.
Just because a school is highly ranked doesn’t mean that you will like it or that it will suit your needs. The rankings are based on factors that include things like faculty salaries, average spending per student, alumni giving rate, and the number of students who transfer. While these factors are important to the college, they have little or nothing to do with whether or not you will be happy there.
Your best friend’s boyfriend didn’t like the school he attended.
Just because he didn’t like the college doesn’t mean that you won’t. There might be a very specific reason that he was turned off by the school – a weird freshman year roommate or a professor with whom he didn’t click. Those things can happen at any school. Be your own person in researching colleges.
“I heard that . . .”
Much of the information that floats around about particular colleges is at least 10 years old, sometimes older. Many colleges that had fairly lightweight academic reputations in the 70’s or 80’s have refocused their priorities and are now top institutions. Similarly, some schools were considered party schools, and others were considered easy to get into. Schools have changed, and the way they might have been 10, 20, or 30 years ago is the way they might seem to your parents. Do your research. What are the social and academic realities now?
I’ve never heard of it.
Many of the small, liberal arts colleges are actually some of the best colleges in the country, and they might be some of the best-kept secrets too. The average well-educated person can probably name only a small number of the 4352 2year colleges and 4year colleges in the United States. These tend to be older Eastern schools, the large state universities, those with outstanding athletic teams, or those that happen to be near home. It is important to remember that a college which may be right for you may be one that is unknown to you now, while some of the universities you are most familiar with may not be appropriate choices.
Start by making a list of things you want in a college. Some suggestions for consideration:
· Size: Do I want the relative anonymity of a large school versus the personal attention from professors at a smaller school? Think about the learning environment in a lecture hall of 400, where you might be able to go through four years without being called on more than a few times; as opposed to the smaller class size, even seminar classes at small schools, where your participation is expected. It is much easier to have a big impact on life at a smaller school, since you will be better able to get to know the administration and many of the other campus leaders personally. At large schools, meetings will be announced, but unless you seek them out, clubs and organizations won’t come to find you.
· Weather: Can I live through wind, snow, rain, and sleet – in a word: weather. This is an important question if you are considering attending a college where weather is drastically different than your own.
· Location: Have I visited a school in a suburban or rural area, so that I know what it means to distinguish between urban, suburban, or rural campuses?
· Programs: Am I looking for a specialized school? (engineering, music, fashion design)
· Co-Curricular Activities: Do I want to attend a school with a strong sense of campus community? Big-time sports can make you feel like you belong the minute football season begins. Do you like the tradition that goes along with big-time sports programs? Or are you trying to find a school with an orchestra, an award-winning student newspaper, political demonstrations, or important guest speakers?
Academic Atmosphere: What environment suits me? Tense or relaxed, competitive or geared to individual progress, high or low academic expectations, opportunities for recreational and cultural activities to supplement academics, honor systems and academic discipline codes.
· Graduation in 4 years: Is it important to you to graduate in four years? You may not know that the norm for colleges to quote graduation statistics is now six years, as in “We graduate 65% of our students in 6 years.” It is possible to graduate in four years. Be sure to find out how many students do that at the school you are considering. Ask: “What is the graduation rate for 4 year graduates?”
· Social Structure and Campus Lifestyle: Is a residential campus important? Would you be comfortable at a college where most of the students commute? Weekend social life, on and off campus, types of entertainment favored by the students, fraternities and sororities, and system of student rules are all important factors in the daily life of a student.
· Position in the incoming class: Do you want to be one of the better students at the school, or do you want the challenge of working extra hard to keep up with the top 25%? Would you consider entering an Honors program at a somewhat less competitive school in order to get the best education possible at a large school in a smaller group experience? For example: University of Kentucky or Pikeville College.
· Calendar: Is the school’s calendar important to you – semesters or quarters?
· Your Own Priorities: Think about the dozens of other things that you as an individual might consider: athletics, performing arts, distance from home or relatives, cost, public/private, religious affiliation, specific programs or interdisciplinary majors. . . add your own special considerations.
Step 2: Honestly Assess Your Profile
A realistic self-assessment will help you examine your academic and personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as your reasons for going to college and what you are seeking in a college education. The process involves a combination of looking back at your high school career and looking ahead to how a college education will prepare you for your post-collegiate years. Answer these questions in an honest and thoughtful manner. A self-evaluation will help you understand what to look for in your selection of prospective schools, and it can prepare you for statements you will be asked to make about yourself in essays and interviews when you apply.
Goals and Values
What is your main educational goal?
What values do you consider most important?
What kind of person would you like to become?
Which of your unique gifts and strengths would you like to develop?
What events or experiences have shaped your growth and way of thinking?
Education
What are your academic interests?
Which courses have been most satisfying for you?
What interests beyond daily class assignments have you pursued in research papers, through independent projects, and recreational reading?
How much do you genuinely like to read, discuss issues and exchange ideas?
What has been your most stimulating intellectual experience in recent years?
In what academic areas do you feel confident? Inadequately prepared?
Are there outside distractions which have interfered with your academic performance?
Consider such things as family problems, health, afterschool job responsibilities.
Activities and Interests
What activities outside of the daily school routine do you enjoy the most?
Which have meant the most to you?
Do your activities show any pattern of commitment, competence or contribution?
What do you do for fun and relaxation?
What concerns you most about the world around you?
What would you do if you could change certain aspects of your world?
Personality and Relationships with Others
Are you competitive? If so, to what extent?
What kind of a person are you?
What three adjectives would you use to describe yourself?
How would someone who knows you well describe you?
What are your finest qualities? Your most conspicuous shortcomings?
How do you feel about choices and making decisions for yourself?
Step 3: Create a List of Colleges to Investigate
You might want to create a section of a notebook for keeping track of your research. Make notes initially about size, location, selectivity, and special features based upon some of the qualities/characteristics noted in Step 1. Be honest about the kind of student you are. In terms of grades and standardized test scores, what kind of student are you?
· A student with 2100-2400 on the SAT or 28-36 on the ACT can consider competitive colleges (more applicants meet their admission requirements than they are able to accommodate).
· B student with 1800-2100 on the SAT or 22-27 on the ACT can consider selective colleges (many applicants meet their explicit requirements).
· B to C student with 1400-1800 on the SAT or 18-21 on the ACT can consider open admission colleges (colleges accept virtually all interested students; some institutions have selective requirements for specific programs such as nursing). Once you can be honest with yourself, you can begin to categorize colleges as Reach/Risky, Realistic/True Possibility, and Likely/Safety.
Help in your research:
· Talk with your counselor who is a professional in the area of college counseling. Meet with the counselor and keep open lines of communication. Counselors are there to answer questions and make suggestions, but they are not there to do your work for you. Research is work.
· Take advantage of some of the excellent guidebooks and information available from colleges and universities and on their websites. Almost all colleges have websites to provide students with information. You can submit your name online to get on a particular college’s mailing list. They will follow up with catalogs, view books, and applications.
· Don’t forget the visits by college representatives to RHCS in the fall. These are great opportunities to meet with the person who will probably be reading your application.
A list of 10 or more colleges to research is reasonable. You need to begin narrowing your list down to a reasonable three to five colleges. Narrowing down the list is a task made successful by good research. A good list will include some reach, target and safety schools.
Step 4: Visiting Colleges
Beyond all of your research on the internet, in general reference materials, books, video tapes, catalogues, and brochures from individual schools, there is nothing like visiting a campus and seeing for yourself what a school is like. You will want to visit the schools that especially interest you, and certainly the ones that accept you, once you have completed the application process. You can visit virtually any type of college right here within driving distance. Some of the area colleges might approximate the size and setting of an out-of-state school that you may be considering.
Before the Tour
· The timing of a visit can make a significant difference in your impressions and opinion of the school. Try to plan your visit when school is in session, if at all possible.
· Advance planning with the college’s admission office is important to help you make the most of your visit. Most colleges encourage campus visits, and many publish special brochures to help you plan one. The admission office can assist you with travel information, driving directions, and scheduling your itinerary (distances/driving times to nearby schools, the feasibility of visiting their school and another on the same day, etc).
· Call the admissions office, and set up a day and time for a tour. If this is a serious visit, you might want to ask about staying overnight in a residence hall. Ask if they can make arrangements. If this is not possible, ask for assistance in finding lodging for the night if you need a place to stay. Some offices have arrangements with hotels or motels in the area.
· During your visit, try to meet with someone from the admission office, attend an information session, and take a tour of the campus.
· Learn all you can and take notes. You will never be indifferent after a college visit. You will have strong impressions. Write them down, good or bad, and start learning about what you want in terms of size, type of school, people, dorms, activities, etc. You might want to make a comparison chart to take with you if you plan to see several schools at one time. If you do not make notes of some kind, you will find that your memory of specifics becomes vague after visiting several schools.
· Follow up with a thank you note to the admissions person who helped you arrange your tour, or who spent time with you on campus.
What to Look for On a Tour
· General appearance of the campus (poor maintenance, vandalism, campus pride)
· Student attire (J. Crew, Gap, very casual,)
· Friendliness (eye contact, offer to help, hello’s)
· Student conversations (topic, tone, classes, papers, books, parties)
· Transportation (bikes, cars, foot, shuttles)
· Faculty presence (office hours posted, open doors, student interaction)
· Library (hours, easy access)
· Laboratory and computer facilities (hours, easy access)
· Fine arts facilities (studios, practice rooms, performances)
· Residence Halls (singles, doubles, suites, coed, substance free or wellness, guaranteed housing)
Questions to Ask Campus Representatives on a College Visit
What percent of applicants are accepted?
What percent of first year students return as sophomores?
What percent of entering students actually graduate? In how many years?
How much flexibility will I have in my curriculum?
Can I double major?
Is a core curriculum required?
What is the average class size?
What is the faculty/student ratio?
Will I be taught by graduate assistants?
What percentage of the faculty teach first and second year students?
How many credits/classes do students usually take in one term?
What percent of graduates who apply to law (medical) school are admitted?
MBA programs?
Honors programs?
Financial Aid?
Questions to Ask Students on a College Visit
Stop several students and ask them about the school and their programs. Watch for their facial expressions and any hesitation in their voice. Some sample questions you could ask:
If they were choosing a college today, would this college be their first choice?
Is there anything about the school they wish they could change? If so, what would it be?
What are the school’s strongest or most popular majors?
Is housing guaranteed for freshmen?
Will you need a car?
Can you have a car on campus?
Parking Costs?
Is there public transportation to nearby destinations (shopping, museums, etc)?
Also, ask questions about your own particular interests, such as internships in your field, fraternities/sororities, student organizations, intramural leagues and/or club sports, student government, and what campus life is like on the weekends.
Other Helpful Activities When You Are on a Campus
Look at school newspapers, kiosks, and bulletin boards for activities that interest you and give you insight into issues students care about.
Eat in the dining hall (you might need permission from the admissions officer).
Visit the student union.
Talk to professors of classes or majors you may be interested in.
Talk to coaches if you plan to play a sport.
Visit the housing complexes.
Visit the libraries.
Step 5: Meet with College Representatives at RHCS
You can take advantage of meeting college admissions representatives who visit RHCS. Listen for announcements and notices in the newsletter and on the school website. Juniors and Seniors may attend college presentations.
Let’s start with a reality check: Does it make sense to limit your college search to only highly selective colleges? Only you can answer that. Ideally, you will have a range of colleges on your list, based not only upon selectivity, but also upon other important considerations: environment, programs, majors, sports, and the chance to be challenged both personally and academically. In the field of college counseling, we call this the right match. And there is no perfect college for you. There are a number of colleges that may be right for you. While it is true that there is undoubtedly a type of college which is more suited to your needs than another type, it is not wise to narrow your sights to only one or two colleges. A better plan is to investigate several possible options and you will discover that each one has its own advantages. There are 1677 2year colleges and 2675 4year colleges in the U.S. (National Center for Education Statistics).
Step 1: Factors to Consider in Researching and Selecting a College
What Not To Do:
Put any faith in US News and World Report or similar rankings.
Just because a school is highly ranked doesn’t mean that you will like it or that it will suit your needs. The rankings are based on factors that include things like faculty salaries, average spending per student, alumni giving rate, and the number of students who transfer. While these factors are important to the college, they have little or nothing to do with whether or not you will be happy there.
Your best friend’s boyfriend didn’t like the school he attended.
Just because he didn’t like the college doesn’t mean that you won’t. There might be a very specific reason that he was turned off by the school – a weird freshman year roommate or a professor with whom he didn’t click. Those things can happen at any school. Be your own person in researching colleges.
“I heard that . . .”
Much of the information that floats around about particular colleges is at least 10 years old, sometimes older. Many colleges that had fairly lightweight academic reputations in the 70’s or 80’s have refocused their priorities and are now top institutions. Similarly, some schools were considered party schools, and others were considered easy to get into. Schools have changed, and the way they might have been 10, 20, or 30 years ago is the way they might seem to your parents. Do your research. What are the social and academic realities now?
I’ve never heard of it.
Many of the small, liberal arts colleges are actually some of the best colleges in the country, and they might be some of the best-kept secrets too. The average well-educated person can probably name only a small number of the 4352 2year colleges and 4year colleges in the United States. These tend to be older Eastern schools, the large state universities, those with outstanding athletic teams, or those that happen to be near home. It is important to remember that a college which may be right for you may be one that is unknown to you now, while some of the universities you are most familiar with may not be appropriate choices.
Start by making a list of things you want in a college. Some suggestions for consideration:
· Size: Do I want the relative anonymity of a large school versus the personal attention from professors at a smaller school? Think about the learning environment in a lecture hall of 400, where you might be able to go through four years without being called on more than a few times; as opposed to the smaller class size, even seminar classes at small schools, where your participation is expected. It is much easier to have a big impact on life at a smaller school, since you will be better able to get to know the administration and many of the other campus leaders personally. At large schools, meetings will be announced, but unless you seek them out, clubs and organizations won’t come to find you.
· Weather: Can I live through wind, snow, rain, and sleet – in a word: weather. This is an important question if you are considering attending a college where weather is drastically different than your own.
· Location: Have I visited a school in a suburban or rural area, so that I know what it means to distinguish between urban, suburban, or rural campuses?
· Programs: Am I looking for a specialized school? (engineering, music, fashion design)
· Co-Curricular Activities: Do I want to attend a school with a strong sense of campus community? Big-time sports can make you feel like you belong the minute football season begins. Do you like the tradition that goes along with big-time sports programs? Or are you trying to find a school with an orchestra, an award-winning student newspaper, political demonstrations, or important guest speakers?
Academic Atmosphere: What environment suits me? Tense or relaxed, competitive or geared to individual progress, high or low academic expectations, opportunities for recreational and cultural activities to supplement academics, honor systems and academic discipline codes.
· Graduation in 4 years: Is it important to you to graduate in four years? You may not know that the norm for colleges to quote graduation statistics is now six years, as in “We graduate 65% of our students in 6 years.” It is possible to graduate in four years. Be sure to find out how many students do that at the school you are considering. Ask: “What is the graduation rate for 4 year graduates?”
· Social Structure and Campus Lifestyle: Is a residential campus important? Would you be comfortable at a college where most of the students commute? Weekend social life, on and off campus, types of entertainment favored by the students, fraternities and sororities, and system of student rules are all important factors in the daily life of a student.
· Position in the incoming class: Do you want to be one of the better students at the school, or do you want the challenge of working extra hard to keep up with the top 25%? Would you consider entering an Honors program at a somewhat less competitive school in order to get the best education possible at a large school in a smaller group experience? For example: University of Kentucky or Pikeville College.
· Calendar: Is the school’s calendar important to you – semesters or quarters?
· Your Own Priorities: Think about the dozens of other things that you as an individual might consider: athletics, performing arts, distance from home or relatives, cost, public/private, religious affiliation, specific programs or interdisciplinary majors. . . add your own special considerations.
Step 2: Honestly Assess Your Profile
A realistic self-assessment will help you examine your academic and personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as your reasons for going to college and what you are seeking in a college education. The process involves a combination of looking back at your high school career and looking ahead to how a college education will prepare you for your post-collegiate years. Answer these questions in an honest and thoughtful manner. A self-evaluation will help you understand what to look for in your selection of prospective schools, and it can prepare you for statements you will be asked to make about yourself in essays and interviews when you apply.
Goals and Values
What is your main educational goal?
What values do you consider most important?
What kind of person would you like to become?
Which of your unique gifts and strengths would you like to develop?
What events or experiences have shaped your growth and way of thinking?
Education
What are your academic interests?
Which courses have been most satisfying for you?
What interests beyond daily class assignments have you pursued in research papers, through independent projects, and recreational reading?
How much do you genuinely like to read, discuss issues and exchange ideas?
What has been your most stimulating intellectual experience in recent years?
In what academic areas do you feel confident? Inadequately prepared?
Are there outside distractions which have interfered with your academic performance?
Consider such things as family problems, health, afterschool job responsibilities.
Activities and Interests
What activities outside of the daily school routine do you enjoy the most?
Which have meant the most to you?
Do your activities show any pattern of commitment, competence or contribution?
What do you do for fun and relaxation?
What concerns you most about the world around you?
What would you do if you could change certain aspects of your world?
Personality and Relationships with Others
Are you competitive? If so, to what extent?
What kind of a person are you?
What three adjectives would you use to describe yourself?
How would someone who knows you well describe you?
What are your finest qualities? Your most conspicuous shortcomings?
How do you feel about choices and making decisions for yourself?
Step 3: Create a List of Colleges to Investigate
You might want to create a section of a notebook for keeping track of your research. Make notes initially about size, location, selectivity, and special features based upon some of the qualities/characteristics noted in Step 1. Be honest about the kind of student you are. In terms of grades and standardized test scores, what kind of student are you?
· A student with 2100-2400 on the SAT or 28-36 on the ACT can consider competitive colleges (more applicants meet their admission requirements than they are able to accommodate).
· B student with 1800-2100 on the SAT or 22-27 on the ACT can consider selective colleges (many applicants meet their explicit requirements).
· B to C student with 1400-1800 on the SAT or 18-21 on the ACT can consider open admission colleges (colleges accept virtually all interested students; some institutions have selective requirements for specific programs such as nursing). Once you can be honest with yourself, you can begin to categorize colleges as Reach/Risky, Realistic/True Possibility, and Likely/Safety.
Help in your research:
· Talk with your counselor who is a professional in the area of college counseling. Meet with the counselor and keep open lines of communication. Counselors are there to answer questions and make suggestions, but they are not there to do your work for you. Research is work.
· Take advantage of some of the excellent guidebooks and information available from colleges and universities and on their websites. Almost all colleges have websites to provide students with information. You can submit your name online to get on a particular college’s mailing list. They will follow up with catalogs, view books, and applications.
· Don’t forget the visits by college representatives to RHCS in the fall. These are great opportunities to meet with the person who will probably be reading your application.
A list of 10 or more colleges to research is reasonable. You need to begin narrowing your list down to a reasonable three to five colleges. Narrowing down the list is a task made successful by good research. A good list will include some reach, target and safety schools.
Step 4: Visiting Colleges
Beyond all of your research on the internet, in general reference materials, books, video tapes, catalogues, and brochures from individual schools, there is nothing like visiting a campus and seeing for yourself what a school is like. You will want to visit the schools that especially interest you, and certainly the ones that accept you, once you have completed the application process. You can visit virtually any type of college right here within driving distance. Some of the area colleges might approximate the size and setting of an out-of-state school that you may be considering.
Before the Tour
· The timing of a visit can make a significant difference in your impressions and opinion of the school. Try to plan your visit when school is in session, if at all possible.
· Advance planning with the college’s admission office is important to help you make the most of your visit. Most colleges encourage campus visits, and many publish special brochures to help you plan one. The admission office can assist you with travel information, driving directions, and scheduling your itinerary (distances/driving times to nearby schools, the feasibility of visiting their school and another on the same day, etc).
· Call the admissions office, and set up a day and time for a tour. If this is a serious visit, you might want to ask about staying overnight in a residence hall. Ask if they can make arrangements. If this is not possible, ask for assistance in finding lodging for the night if you need a place to stay. Some offices have arrangements with hotels or motels in the area.
· During your visit, try to meet with someone from the admission office, attend an information session, and take a tour of the campus.
· Learn all you can and take notes. You will never be indifferent after a college visit. You will have strong impressions. Write them down, good or bad, and start learning about what you want in terms of size, type of school, people, dorms, activities, etc. You might want to make a comparison chart to take with you if you plan to see several schools at one time. If you do not make notes of some kind, you will find that your memory of specifics becomes vague after visiting several schools.
· Follow up with a thank you note to the admissions person who helped you arrange your tour, or who spent time with you on campus.
What to Look for On a Tour
· General appearance of the campus (poor maintenance, vandalism, campus pride)
· Student attire (J. Crew, Gap, very casual,)
· Friendliness (eye contact, offer to help, hello’s)
· Student conversations (topic, tone, classes, papers, books, parties)
· Transportation (bikes, cars, foot, shuttles)
· Faculty presence (office hours posted, open doors, student interaction)
· Library (hours, easy access)
· Laboratory and computer facilities (hours, easy access)
· Fine arts facilities (studios, practice rooms, performances)
· Residence Halls (singles, doubles, suites, coed, substance free or wellness, guaranteed housing)
Questions to Ask Campus Representatives on a College Visit
What percent of applicants are accepted?
What percent of first year students return as sophomores?
What percent of entering students actually graduate? In how many years?
How much flexibility will I have in my curriculum?
Can I double major?
Is a core curriculum required?
What is the average class size?
What is the faculty/student ratio?
Will I be taught by graduate assistants?
What percentage of the faculty teach first and second year students?
How many credits/classes do students usually take in one term?
What percent of graduates who apply to law (medical) school are admitted?
MBA programs?
Honors programs?
Financial Aid?
Questions to Ask Students on a College Visit
Stop several students and ask them about the school and their programs. Watch for their facial expressions and any hesitation in their voice. Some sample questions you could ask:
If they were choosing a college today, would this college be their first choice?
Is there anything about the school they wish they could change? If so, what would it be?
What are the school’s strongest or most popular majors?
Is housing guaranteed for freshmen?
Will you need a car?
Can you have a car on campus?
Parking Costs?
Is there public transportation to nearby destinations (shopping, museums, etc)?
Also, ask questions about your own particular interests, such as internships in your field, fraternities/sororities, student organizations, intramural leagues and/or club sports, student government, and what campus life is like on the weekends.
Other Helpful Activities When You Are on a Campus
Look at school newspapers, kiosks, and bulletin boards for activities that interest you and give you insight into issues students care about.
Eat in the dining hall (you might need permission from the admissions officer).
Visit the student union.
Talk to professors of classes or majors you may be interested in.
Talk to coaches if you plan to play a sport.
Visit the housing complexes.
Visit the libraries.
Step 5: Meet with College Representatives at RHCS
You can take advantage of meeting college admissions representatives who visit RHCS. Listen for announcements and notices in the newsletter and on the school website. Juniors and Seniors may attend college presentations.