Assessing Your List of Colleges

As you develop a list (mental or otherwise) of colleges that interest you, be sure you can answer these questions about them.

College Characteristics:

• Where is the college?  Can you locate it on a map?  Is it too close to home?  Is it too far?  Is it too cold or too hot there?
• Have you taken the course work that the college requires for admission?
• What size is the college?  How many students are undergraduates?
• What is the college’s selectivity ratio (what proportion of applicants were admitted last year)?
• Does the college offer majors that interest you?
• Is the college coed or single sex?
• How many of the students graduate in four years?  Five years?  Six years?
• How many first-year students return for their sophomore year?
• What type of financial aid is available?

Where would you fit in?

• What are the college scores for the ACT or SAT?  Where does that place you?
• What were the high school GPA’s of most of the freshmen last year?
• Are freshmen guaranteed on-campus housing?  If not, where do they live?
• Are there extracurricular activities that interest you?
• What is the average age of the student body?
• What is the male-to- female ratio?
• What percentage of students reside on campus?
• Are dorms co-ed or single sex?
• Is it a “suitcase college” where all the students leave on the weekends?
• What are the procedures for selecting a roommate?
• What are some of the rules and regulations that govern campus and dormitory life?

Student Population:

• Where do the majority of students come from?
• Do most of the students commute or live on-campus?
• What types of activities are there?
• Are sororities and fraternities on campus?
• What athletic programs are available?
• Is the surrounding community supportive of the college?
• Does the college have a campus visitation program?
• Is housing available/guaranteed for freshmen?
• Is it available for all four years?

Cost:

• What are the costs for tuition?
• Room and Board? Are there other fees?
• How much did cost increases from last year to this year?
• Is there a difference in the costs for in-state and out-of-state students?
• Are accepted students required to place deposits for tuition and housing?  Are these refundable?
• By when must accepted students decide whether they will attend?
• Are deposits required each year for returning students?
• When do the bills have to be paid?

Financial Aid:

• What percentage of students receive financial aid based on financial need?
• What percent of students receive scholarships based on academic ability?
• What would be on a typical financial aid package for a freshman?
• What percentage of those who apply for financial aid receive it?
• Will my financial aid be adjusted if my need increases?
• What are the financial aid application procedures and deadlines?
• When are financial aid applicants notified of their awards?
• How long do they have to respond?
• Is there a tuition payment plan?
• Are there campus jobs available?  Are there off-campus jobs as well?

Visit the college’s websites, read the guidebooks, and look at their literature.

• What are their strong academic programs? (Ask a college representative, students, graduates, and teachers)
• What courses are required for graduation?
• Are the courses you need/want available each semester?  At convenient times?
• Are there special programs that interest you (study abroad, internships, etc.)?
• What is the social life like?  What percentage of students join fraternities or sororities?
• Do the pictures and the language of the college uses to describe itself attract you?
• What is your general impression of the college?
• Is the school accredited?
• If professional certification is required for employment in the field that interests you, how many students enrolled in the school’s program pass the certification exam?

Admissions process:

• When are applications due?
• Does the college except the Common Application?  If so, does it require supplemental forms?
• What does the application contain?  Are essays required?
• Is an interview suggested or required?  Is an interview available form staff or alumni?
• When may you visit the college?  What is its policy regarding campus visits?
• What are the financial aid deadlines?  What financial aid forms are required?
• What high school courses are required? Are entrance tests required?
• Is there a certain grade point average or class rank required?
• Is there an early decision or early action plan?
• What percent of applicants are accepted?
• Can admission denials be appealed?

Now answer these questions:

• Am I a strong candidate for admission to this college?
• If I am not a strong candidate, what are my chances?
• Do I want to visit this college?
• What additional information do I need?