Data are great, but when push comes to shove, your choice of college will most likely be based on intangibles: a feeling of connection that's hard to describe.
When your college meets your hard academic, financial and logistical requirements, AND just feels right, you've found your "best fit".
College search road trips can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Prepare yourself with a "look and see" approach before getting in the car:
1. Start with the usual list of 20-some schools on your consideration list. You'll wind up with fewer than ten at decision time. Contact me at http://www.whatsyourmajor.net/index.php/Contact-Us.html for free advice about how to compile your list.
2. Use student-directed interactive tools to develop an understanding about what life is really like at your first 20 choices.
US News and World Report, for example, now offers online videos of 150 campuses, with student commentary and blogs .
Collegeconfidential.com offers a topic-specific forum where parents and students can share impressions and experiences openly. You can submit a question about your colleges and someone with experience is very likely to respond quickly.
Some printed college guides are written from a student's point of view, such as "The Insider's Guide to the Colleges," and "Students' Guide to the Colleges". These are great places to do a first screening of your list of 20 colleges.
3. Visit five to ten schools on your list during the first go-around. Through the visits, you'll find yourself developing the criteria for the intangibles that matter to you: The social culture on campus, the teaching philosophy of the faculty you will meet, and more.
4. If a faculty presentation is not on your campus visit agenda, make sure you make an appointment with a faculty member from either the core curriculum or your field of interest. Ask about the teaching philosophy on campus and how it's realized in the classroom. Inquire about job opportunties and hiring trends in the field.
5. Don't omit any colleges from your list based on indirect internet or book resources. Look and see for yourself! But be sure to get details from college officials about any areas of special interest or concern.
Happy Hunting!
