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Finding the Right College:
» Tips For Finding Your College Match
College Characteristics To Consider
How can you find colleges that match your needs? First, identify your priorities. Next, carefully research the characteristics of a range of schools. Finally, match the two. Here are some college characteristics you should consider.
Size of the student body
Size will affect many of your opportunities and experiences, including:
- range of academic majors offered
- extracurricular possibilities
- amount of personal attention you'll receive
- number of books in the library
In considering size, be very sure to look beyond the raw number of students attending. For example, perhaps you're considering a small department within a large school. Investigate not just the number of faculty, but also how accessible faculty members are to students.
Location
Do you want to visit home frequently, or do you see this as a time to experience a new part of the country? Perhaps you like an urban environment with access to museums, ethnic food, or major league ball games. Or maybe you hope for easy access to the outdoors or the serenity of a small town. Learn more.
Academic programs
If you know what you want to study, research reputations of academic departments by talking to people in the fields that interest you. If you're undecided, relax and pick an academically balanced institution that offers a range of majors and programs. Most colleges offer counseling to help you find a focus.
In considering academic programs, look for special opportunities and pick a school that offers many possibilities.
Campus life
Consider what your college life will be like beyond the classroom. Aim for a balance between academics, activities, and social life. Before choosing a college, learn the answers to these questions:
- What extracurricular activities, athletics, and special interest groups are available?
- Does the community around the college offer interesting outlets for students?
- Are students welcomed by the community?
- Is there an ethnic or religious group in which to take part?
- How do fraternities and sororities influence campus life?
- Is housing guaranteed?
- How are dorms assigned?
Cost
Today's college price tag makes cost an important consideration for most students. At the same time, virtually all colleges work to ensure that academically qualified students from every economic circumstance can find financial aid that allows them to attend. In considering cost, look beyond the price tag to assistance available. Learn more.
Retention and graduation rates
One of the best ways to measure a school's quality and the satisfaction of its students is to learn the percent of students who return after the first year and the percent of entering students who remain to graduate. Comparatively good retention and graduation rates are indicators that responsible academic, social, and financial support systems exist for most students.
What Kind of Degree Do You Want?
You've Got Options
When you say you want to earn a "college degree," that could mean any number of things. Part of your college selection process should be thinking about exactly what kind of degree you want to earn, and which college can get you there. Here are some of your options:
Certificate or diploma
These nondegree offerings generally lead to employment in an occupational field. For example, to enter fields such as computer science or teaching, you may first have to get a certificate or diploma.
Associate degree
You receive an associate of arts (AA) or associate of science (AS) degree after completing two years of study similar to the first two years of a four-year college. Community colleges or four-year universities offer associate degrees. After earning an AA or an AS, you may transfer to a four-year college to complete the requirements for a bachelor's degree. The associate of applied science (AAS) degree is awarded on completion of technological or vocational programs of study.
Bachelor's or baccalaureate degree
Complete a four- or five-year, full-time program of study (or its part-time equivalent) at a college. The bachelor of arts (B.A.) and bachelor of science (B.S.) are the most common degrees awarded.
First professional degree
Complete academic requirements to become licensed in a recognized profession. The programs of study require at least two years of previous college work for entrance, and at least six years of college work for completion.
Combined bachelor's/graduate degree (or joint degree)
Complete a bachelor's degree and a master's or first professional degree in less than the usual amount of time. In most programs, students apply to the graduate program during their first three years of undergraduate study, and begin the graduate program in their fourth year of college. Successful completion results in awarding of both bachelor's and graduate degrees.
International baccalaureate (I.B.)
This comprehensive and rigorous two-year curriculum (usually taken in the final two years of high school) is similar to the final year of secondary school in Europe. Some colleges award credit or advanced placement to students who have completed this program.
Liberal arts/career combination
In this program of study, also known as the 3-2 program, you typically complete three years of study in a liberal arts field followed by two years of professional/technical study (for example, engineering). At the end of this study, you're awarded bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees.
Teacher certification
At some schools, you can receive a teacher certification by completing bachelor's degree and state certification requirements. Your college adviser can help you prepare a plan of study to meet these twin demands. All institutions that prepare teachers are accredited by the state; each state sets its own certificate standards.
A program leading to teacher certification typically involves three types of courses:
- general liberal arts courses
- the major (such as elementary education or mathematics)
- professional education courses, including student teaching
In order to gain certification in most states, you must pass an achievement test in the field in which you plan to teach.
Location 101
Where Do You Want To Live And Learn?
Are you drawn to the big city, to wilderness, or to a little of each? Do you want to stay in a familiar place, or branch out?
The location of a college is often downplayed relative to the importance of academics. Let's face it, though. It can have a huge impact on your choice of a college and your experience there.
The familiar vs. the unknown
Consider how you react to new situations and people. If you get anxious or homesick for familiar diversions, you may not want to throw yourself into a different environment. On the other hand, college is all about new experiences, whether you seek them or not. A change in locale can be one. For example, maybe you live in a large city but want to try life in a small town.
Managing expectations
Learn what to expect from a college's setting before you go and, better yet, before you make your final decision. For example, if you live in Los Angeles and go to school in a rural area of Montana, don't be shocked when you can't get anything you want, whenever you want it. Similarly, if you're from a small town in Montana and go to school in Los Angeles, realize that you may miss the big sky of your home state. To get the big picture, visit campuses, talk to students, and read campus and local newspapers.
You've got options
If you get to campus and don't feel anchored to the school or its location, you're not stuck. Many schools offer an option to study abroad or off-campus for a semester or a year. You can also transfer to another college or program. Keep in mind, too, that a college's location is only one characteristic, however significant. Factor in other things such as the kind of school, majors offered, financial aid available, and, most importantly, the "feel" of the college.
Bottom line
Ultimately, you determine what experience you'll have at college. You need to evaluate who you are, places you like, activities you enjoy, and how easily you adapt to new situations.
Special College Programs
College Offerings That May Interest You
Did you know that colleges offer more than a degree? They also offer special programs that allow you to tailor your education to fit your needs. Here's a sampling of the offerings:
- Accelerated program
Want to earn your bachelor's degree in three years, rather than four? This is a program you complete in less time than is normally required, usually by attending summer classes or by carrying extra courses.
- Cooperative education
Sometimes called work study, this program allows you to alternate between semesters of full-time study and related paid full-time work. It takes five years to receive a bachelor's degree under this plan, but you get a year's practical experience, too.
- Distance leaning
Take courses for credit broadcast via public or cable stations or the Internet.
- Double major
Complete the requirements of two majors concurrently.
- Dual enrollment
Enroll in college courses for credit while still in high school.
- English as a Second Language (ESL) program
With this program, international students can improve their English skills.
- External degree
Earn credits towards a college degree through independent study, college courses, proficiency exams, and personal experience. Minimal (or no) classroom attendance is required.
- Honors program
This is an opportunity for educational enrichment, independent study, acceleration, or some combination of these.
- Independent study
Complete some of your college program by studying independently instead of attending scheduled classes and completing group assignments.
- Internship
This is any short-term supervised work experience, usually related to your major, which earns you academic credit.
- Semester at sea
Live for part of a semester on a ship, frequently a research vessel.
- Student-designed major
Construct a major field of study not formally offered by the college. Often nontraditional and interdisciplinary in nature, the major is developed with the approval of a designated college officer or committee.
- Study abroad
Complete part of the college program studying in another country. A college may operate a campus aboard, or it may have a cooperative agreement with some other American college or an institution of the other country.
- United Nations semester
Take courses at a college in the New York City metropolitan area while participating in an internship program at the United Nations.
- Urban semester
Spend a semester in a major city, such as Philadelphia, Chicago, New York, Denver, or San Francisco, experiencing the complexities of an urban center through course work, seminars, and/or internships related to your major.
- Visiting/exchange student
Study for a semester or more at another college without extending the amount of time required for a degree.
- Washington semester
Participate in an internship program with a government agency or department in Washington D.C.
- Weekend college
Take a complete course of study and attend classes only on weekends. These programs are generally restricted to a few areas of study at a college and require more than the traditional number of years to complete.
College Planning For International Students
How To Study In The U.S.
Applying to college in the United States can be exciting and challenging. It can also, at times, be frustrating. The key to a successful experience lies in careful planning and timely completion of the required steps.
Step 1: Think about why you want to study in the U.S.
For example, many students come to the U.S. because of the diversity of educational opportunities available. There are more than 600 major fields of study offered at more than 3,000 colleges and universities. What are your reasons?
Step 2: Research college opportunities.
Answer questions about your needs and preferences, such as:
- What do I want to study?
- Where do I want to live?
- Is the institution located in a large city or a small town?
- How is the student life at a particular institution?
- How competitive is the admission process?
- Create a list of U.S. colleges that meet these needs.
Step 3: Visit your local Overseas Educational Advising Center.
Overseas Educational Advising Centers are located in major cities worldwide and are affiliated with the United States Information Services (USIS) and/or the United States Embassy. There you can find advisers and information to help you understand college searches, the admission process, and financial aid opportunities. Overseas advisers are experienced and well informed about American university systems and admission procedures.
Step 4: Apply to colleges.
Begin the application process as soon as you've decided which college best meets your needs, and no later than twelve months before your expected start date. Remember to send all required documents and forms as soon as possible. U.S. colleges usually review applications only when everything has been received.
Finding the Right College
Types of Colleges
Campus Visits
» Tips for Finding Your Perfect College Match
The White House Initiative gratefully acknowledges collegeboard.com for providing the content found on this page.
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