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Searching for College Fit

Finding a School That Suits Your Academic and Social Needs

Jun 6, 2008

Spend Time on a College Campus to See if it Fits, Brian Nunnery, Stock Xchange

"Find a school that fits" is a popular guidance counselor mantra -- but what does this mean? Here are some ways to tell if a college or university is a good fit.

Ask a guidance counselor what the most important thing you should look for in a prospective college or university, and you'll probably hear one word: fit. But what does that mean?

Well, if a school fits, it feels like home. Your needs as a student will be met, both academically and socially. You'll feel like you can be yourself and find others who appreciate you. Most counselors will tell you that fit is much more important than other things you might look for in a college, except maybe cost. (A designer outfit might fit you perfectly, but if it's too expensive, that doesn't matter.) Ultimately, fit matters more than the name recognition of a school. If you're miserable at a school, you'll have a lousy experience, regardless of name recognition.

Academic Fit

First and foremost, a school has to be a good academic fit. In determining if this is the case, here are some criteria you might look for and questions to ask yourself.

Are majors that interest me offered here?
Are classes that interest me offered here?
Am I comfortable with the class sizes at this school?
Am I comfortable with the amount of teacher/student interaction?
Am I comfortable with the percentage of graduate teaching assistants who teach classes?
Am I comfortable with the level of academic competitiveness (or lack thereof) among the students?
Is this school challenging enough for me -- or too challenging?
Does the school focus more on information that can be applied in the working world, or more on abstract ideas -- and am I comfortable with the balance between the two?
If there are graduate students at this school, am I comfortable with the amount of attention undergraduates get?
Do undergraduate students get opportunities to do research with professors?

Looking for a Good Academic Fit

So how can you tell if a school is a good fit for you academically? First, do some research. Read any online or printed materials that you can find about the school. Find out what kinds of majors are offered, and what courses are offered in majors that interest you. In addition, talk to as many alumni as you can, and find about their experiences at the school.

In addition, it's very helpful to go to campus and ask questions to professors, students, academic advisors, and anyone you can talk to on campus. One great way to get a feel for the school's academic culture is to sit in on a few classes. (Instructors rarely mind-- just ask first.) Afterwards, chat with some of the students in the class about their experiences. In addition, make an appointment with a few professors in areas that interest you, and ask some honest questions.

Social Fit

Academic fit isn't everything. You're going to be spending four years of your life here (and maybe more), so it's also important to find a place where you feel comfortable. Here are some things you should look for when it comes to social fit:

Are students more serious about studying or partying?
Is this more of a commuter campus, or a residential one?
Are students friendly?
What are the politics of students on this campus? Are they very involved, or apathetic?
Do students who share my religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, or other demographic factors feel welcome, safe, and comfortable on this campus?
Does this campus have pleasant dorms and cafeterias and surroundings--and if not, how much does that matter to me?
Am I comfortable with the kinds of students who are attracted to this campus?
Am I comfortable with the level of diversity on this campus?
Are there activities on campus that meet my interests?
How does religion fit into life at this campus -- and am I okay with this?
How big is Greek life on this campus -- and am I okay with this?
How do alcohol and drugs fit into campus culture?
Where is this campus located geographically? Do I like that?

Looking for a Good Social Fit

One of the best ways to get a feel for social fit is to spend a few days on a college campus. If you possibly can, stay with some students. Find out what their everyday lives are like. Eat in the school cafeteria, read the school newspaper, go to some activities, go to parties, and do typical things that students on this campus do.

Things to Keep in Mind

Fit is a complicated thing. You're probably not going to find a school that fits 100% -- and that's okay. Don't feel bad if you can't find perfection, as you almost certainly will not. Different schools may fit you for different reasons. Moreover, because schools offer diverse experiences, students who have very different needs may find that the same school fits them for different reasons.

Do your research. The only way you can decide if a school is a good fit is by trying it on, so to speak -- and you should try on as many as you can to find the best fit. Good luck with your college search!

The copyright of the article Searching for College Fit in College Preparation is owned by Naomi Rockler-Gladen. Permission to republish Searching for College Fit in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.