A certain amount of instinctive feeling is involved in choosing a college. As you learn about a particular school, whether from people or print or the web or your own observations during a campus visit, ask yourself not only whether it has the specific features you are seeking but also “Would I fit in and feel comfortable here?”  Read on for a consideration of common criteria students use to evaluate colleges.

Region • Size & Setting • Reputation • Academics • Philosophy • Resources • Financial Aid

Region

For many students, college is a chance to live in a different part of the country, or even a different part of the world. Think carefully about whether this would be an exciting change for you, or a trip too far outside your comfort zone. Even if you decide to stay relatively close to home, you can choose a school with a geographically diverse student body!

Size and Setting

Size does matter when it comes to colleges. Smaller colleges may not be quite as rich in academic resources as a large university, but they are rich in personal attention -- small classes, discussion-based instruction, writing-intensive curriculum, and close contact with professors who care. At a small college, students are more likely to do varsity sports, participate in plays, do research with professors, and study abroad than their large-school counterparts -- to be participants rather than spectators.

Prospective college applicants often shrink from the idea of attending a college that's "no bigger than high chool" without realizing that a college of 1500 students is very different from a high school of the same size. Not only will the small-college facilities and course offerings eclipse anything available at even a very large high school, but the percentage of students who might be potential friends is also likely to be larger. This is because the students selecting a particular college are likely to have a great deal in common, and they are also more apt to mingle across grade levels than high school students.

Students who hail from urban areas frequently have a hard time imagining they could enjoy college life removed from the urban scene. But you should be aware that urban colleges often have a less developed sense of community and fewer extra-curricular activities, precisely because the city is their playground. Liberal arts colleges -- offering personal attention and small classes -- are also less likely to be located in urban centers.

Read more about the value of a liberal arts college education.

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Reputation

In our prestige-conscious society, it is natural to think about how our college choices might be perceived by others. And so we are especially prone to be influenced by rankings from organizations such as U. S. News and World Report. Unfortunately, these rankings are based largely on reputational, selectivity, and test-score measures, with less attention given to the quality of undergraduate education available at the schools being ranked. Put another way, Harvard and Yale are judged by U. S. News to have sterling reputations because many people in academia judge that they have sterling reputations, not because the magazine actually asked undergraduates about their undergraduate experiences at those schools. More meaningful indicators of educational quality are absent, including class participation, contact with professors, multiple paper drafts, and others measured by the National Survey of Student Engagement (and listed in NSSE's handy Pocket Guide to useful questions). At the same time, very bright classmates, of the sort chosen by highly selective universities, could themselves be a strong component of a quality undergraduate education, as long as the academic atmosphere is cooperative and supportive rather than cutthroat and competitive.

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Academics

Try to get an accurate picture of how hard students work at the colleges that interest you. Is there a healthy balance between the academic and social realms? Challenge can be very exciting, but make sure you won't have to work much harder than your classmates to keep up!  Are you pleased with the kinds of learning possibilities available at the college?

What majors and degree programs does the college offer? Check the course and major descriptions listed in the course catalog (usually available online). Do the courses sound interesting and substantial? Does the college offer enough depth in your specific areas of interest to keep you busy and challenged for four years? Check on the number of courses offered each year; this could determine how you would construct your program in any given major. Check the faculty list in the departments that interest you. Do the faculty members teach several courses?

What are the academic requirements for all students? Does the school have a core curriculum, distribution requirements, or a writing competency or foreign language requirement? What credit is given for AP exams? Is a senior thesis required? Is there enough flexibility to allow you to explore different fields?

What is the academic calendar? A semester schedule means that classes change less frequently and you may end up with fewer courses than in a trimester-based school. A quarter system usually means faster-paced courses. Colleges sometimes offer special calendars, like 4-4-1 (in which 4 classes are taken fall and spring, followed by a one-month in-depth experience). When does school start, and how long is winter break?

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Philosophy

What is the philosophical bent of the school? Is it traditional?  Innovative?  Does the school offer and encourage study abroad? What about undergraduate research opportunities? Does the school help students obtain internships?  What sorts of rules and regulations does the college prescribe? Is there an honor code?

Resources

The description of the facilities will give you an idea of the college’s resources and activities. Housing policies will illustrate the campus living situation. Do all students live on campus? Is housing guaranteed for all four years? What are the living arrangements in the dorms, and how are rooms assigned? Is housing at a larger university broken down into smaller units to promote a more cohesive community of peers?  A list of student activities can provide a clue to the main interests of the student body. Are your interests represented?

What do the endowment resources of the college tell you about the financial foundation the school has built over the years?

Financial Aid

Does the college offer a variety of payment plans for tuition, room, and board? What percentage of the student body receives need-based financial aid? Are merit-based scholarships offered? Is admission need-blind?

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CTCL: 
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Harvard Schmarvard: 
20 Gems

Tail Fins and Ivy Walls

Who Needs Harvard?

Don't Be Suckered By
These College Myths!

Large vs. Small

Size Matters

A Case for the
Liberal Arts College

Choosing a Liberal Arts College

The Selectivity
Illusion

What Makes a College Good?

How is College Different
from High School?

National Survey of Student Engagement