What Does Your Ideal College Look Like?

Where will your college be? Will you look for colleges in your hometown, your home state, or out of state? Will you search for in the city, the country, or colleges in the suburbs? Do you want to live at home, on campus in the dormitories, or in an off-campus apartment? What type of college are you looking for; a technical or trade school, two year or four year colleges? Also will you pick a public (state) or private college, or a liberal arts college?

What are you looking for in a student body size? Would you like a men or women’s only college or a co-educational college? Are you looking for a large (more than 10,000) medium (4,000-10,000) or small (less than 4,000) college? Does ethnic or religious breakdown or affiliation make a difference to you? Do you know any family, friends, or other students from your school or community that attend the college you’re looking into? What types of majors and/or programs are offered and what are you looking for?

What is the college’s academic reputation for teaching styles (hands-on, lecture, seminar)? Are the classes taught by actual professors or teachers assistants? What are the average class sizes of the college, and are you able to study evening, weekend or part time or full time only? What are the qualifications of the average student that is accepted? What is the average GPA, SAT/ACT, and class rank?

What type of non academic activities are you looking for; things like sports (Division I, II or III) both collegiate and intramural, clubs, music, arts, SGA, fraternities or sororities, jobs on campus and all extracurricular activities. What types of internships, career services, community service, and study abroad options are there for you?

Another very important component to ask about that most don’t think about is the support services or programs the college offers? Do they have counseling and tutoring and is it free, and who is the tutor a student or a professional? The next really important thing to consider is the cost of the total tuition, room and board. Do they offer in-state or out of state tuition? What is the percentage of students that receive financial aid and what is the opportunity to renew financial aid after the first year?

How to find out this information? Talk to people – family, friends, teachers, and guidance counselors. Attend college fairs at your school, local schools, or national NACAC fairs.
Use the Internet to research colleges and have them send you information. Finally, schedule campus tours, visit campuses, and engage admission staff.

Aaron Smith
University Advisors

College Campus Trips/Tours

I’m always amazed at how students choose colleges Most times, it’s the brand name, or a family member attended, or a high school friend is going, or it’s in-state/close to home (perception that tuition will be cheaper). I rarely hear a student say: I’m interested in X school because I visited the campus when I went on a college campus trip/tour. Students that go on college campus trips/tours are the ones I enjoy working with because someone (their parents, their guidance counselor, or perhaps themself?) took the initiative to learn more about the “lived experience” of a school. In this age of facebook and google searches, it’s comforting to know that students will look outside their limited view and focus on the possibilities, which are initially found on the campus itself.

There are many college campus trips available to students in the United States. One that I know well and recommend is College Campus Trips. I met with their owner, Ron Denaro, after the NACAC conference this past year, and learned more about the unique experiences that his company provides – hassle free – so that students can focus on observing and living the campus experience. Without going into all the details, it just made sense for me as an admission consultant to want my students involved with this opportunity.

Many juniors are just beginning their college search and should consider scheduling a college campus tour experience this spring/summer/fall. Don’t rely on hearsay, the default of going to the local school, or following in someone else’s footsteps just because you’re supposed to. College is a major investment of your time and money. Take the time as a high school student and visit campuses you don’t know about or want to investigate. It will broaden your viewpoint on college itself. Additionally, traveling is such a fun experience to begin with, so why not do it while you can!

Liam Dunfey
University Advisors