Research Tips for Students Applying to College
Guidelines for Navigating the College Search or Deciding Where to Go
Sep 25, 2009 Kenneth Burchfiel
With thousands of colleges in the United States, and plenty more in other parts of the world, deciding between schools can be an intimidating task. Cost and location are two important factors, which this article will not discuss. But just as noteworthy for the college search are schools’ academics, resources and atmosphere, all of which can help influence the decision of students applying to college.
Students Applying to College Should Take College Academics Into Account
College is known for a lot more than books and exams, but the academic experience a student gets at college will largely shape his or her future. High schoolers should be wary of applying to schools where students do not study too often, or where learning is seen as a college’s secondary function (with alcohol or sports coming first).
But how can one judge what the educational quality of a school is like? Talking with or e-mailing students there is one way to do this; sitting in on a class may also help, but this would provide only a small picture of a school’s academic offerings.
Applicants making a college list, or narrowing it down, should see which majors a school offers. Some offer only one, like College of the Atlantic; others may have dozens of majors, but with varying levels of quality. (Many will allow students to create an independent major, giving them the chance to shape their own academic journey.)
Are average SAT scores or acceptance rates accurate predictors of a college’s academic level? This is debatable, and students should never assume that a college’s high acceptance rate makes it a less demanding institution. Perhaps more telling is a school’s retention rate (the number of freshmen who return to that same school for a sophomore year); a high rate often means that students are committed to academics and enjoying the environment around them.
Those Involved in the College Search Should Examine Schools’ Facilities and Amenities
Students do not merely spend time in their classrooms, of course. Much of their day is spent in their dorm; in college libraries, should they have to study; at athletic complexes, either to play or watch a sport; in dining halls and other on-campus eateries; and outside on the campus itself. Applicants should make sure to research their prospective schools’ resources, whether academic or otherwise. Are the colleges on their list schools were students receive the amenities they need, or do students there take on challenges with little outside help?
Other resources to consider include technology assistance, study centers, tutors, health services and organized lectures. How popular are these offerings on campus? Does one have to pay for them?
A School’s Atmosphere Makes a Large Difference
Lots of schools have excellent academics, and often, those applying to college will be hard-pressed to decide between schools based on their educational quality alone. Likewise, large universities and liberal arts colleges alike may provide students with excellent academic and extracurricular resources. But each college has its own distinct atmosphere, which can help students make difficult decisions between one prospective school or another.
This “atmosphere” is affected by the collective personality of the student body, the school’s religious affiliation (or spiritual environment in general), the policies of the administration, the prevalence of fraternities or alcohol, the importance placed on sports and lots of similar factors. College applicants should purchase multiple guides and read previews on the schools they are thinking of going to. Online websites with student comments on colleges are also a great help.
Seeing the Big Picture
Applying to college is stressful for many people, but the process should be exciting as well. Students engrossed in the college search should make a school’s academic offerings, resources and general attitude before sending in their application – or, later on, making the choice to go there.
Campus Resources are Important to Consider
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