6 Things to Look for When Researching Colleges
Navigating College Research: How to Simplify the Process
When it's time to begin exploring colleges, it can feel like there’s a seemingly endless to-do list. But thankfully, the research phase of the college admissions process is one of the most straightforward steps. Once you establish a clear system, the process becomes more manageable and quicker, and you may even start enjoying the deep dive into various schools' websites, learning about their history, programs, and campus life.
Without proper guidance, though, browsing beyond a college’s official site can lead to frustration as search engines yield limited or overwhelming results. With so much information scattered and sometimes buried, it can feel daunting to gather what you need to know about each institution.
Luckily, knowing exactly what to look for and where to find it makes the task far more efficient. Below, we break down the importance of researching colleges, offer tips on how to begin, and explain what key information to prioritize.
What’s Inside
- Why College Research Matters
- Starting Your College Research
- Key Areas to Focus on When Researching Colleges
- Gaining Confidence Through Research
Why College Research Matters
As colleges across the country adopt holistic admissions processes, it’s beneficial to take a similarly comprehensive approach when selecting which schools to apply to. By examining every aspect of a college, you’ll feel more confident that you’re making the best decision for yourself.
Doing thorough research before applying is crucial for another reason: the promotional materials and online videos colleges produce can’t fully capture every aspect of student life or academics. There’s a wealth of information out there from current and former students offering insights that official college tours can’t match. Skipping this research would mean missing out on these valuable perspectives.
In fact, schools expect you to have done your homework. This becomes especially apparent in supplemental essays, which often probe into specific values or topics important to the institution. A well-researched response demonstrates a student’s genuine interest and effort in learning about the school.
Ultimately, the most important reason to research your college options is to find the right fit. The more informed you are, the more confident you’ll feel in your final decision. You might even uncover information that completely shifts your perception of where you thought you wanted to go!
How to Begin Your College Research
Effective college research requires dedicated time and focus. You’ll primarily be reading, but it’s also important to take notes and jot down questions. Staying organized during this process is key, so whether you prefer using a spreadsheet, document, or notebook, make sure to track your findings.
As you go through your list of potential schools, you’ll develop a research method that works best for you. Some students prefer to start with a college’s official website, while others might first seek opinions from alumni.
While you find your rhythm, here are a few starting points:
Where to Find Information
The word “research” might sound intimidating, but in this case, it’s fairly simple. Begin with the school’s official website—this is the most direct source of accurate information. Pages titled “Admissions,” “Apply,” “About,” “Campus Life,” and “Blog” often provide valuable insights.
Beyond the school’s site, there are plenty of external resources to deepen your understanding. WeAdmit guides, for instance, offer comprehensive overviews of individual colleges and provide tips on how to tailor your application. Other trusted sites like U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review also offer valuable college reviews.
If you’re after a more personal take, sites like Niche and Reddit can give you insider perspectives from current students and alumni. Some schools even have dedicated subreddits, such as r/Harvard, while r/college covers general student discussions.
Just remember to approach online reviews with a critical eye. If many students point out the same issue, it might warrant more research. However, a single negative review shouldn’t deter you from considering the school.
Creating a Research Timeline
It’s essential to strike a balance between being thorough in your research and not letting the process drag on endlessly. While several colleges may feel like a great fit, you don’t want to fall into the trap of searching for “the perfect school” indefinitely.
To keep yourself on track, allocate around two to three hours per college. For some, you’ll quickly realize they’re not a good match, while others might captivate you for hours with their campus life and academic offerings.
Once you’ve done your initial research, you’ll naturally narrow down your list. At this point, your research should shift to interacting directly with colleges through admissions inquiries, attending college fairs, or visiting campuses.
Setting a timeline, even a loose one, helps ensure you stay focused and finish your research before application deadlines loom.
What to Focus on in Your Research
Now that you know where to look, let’s dive into what you should be focusing on when gathering information about potential colleges.
Program Offerings
Check if the college offers your intended major or, if you’re undecided, a variety of majors that interest you. Beyond this, consider:
- General education or core class requirements
- Flexibility in designing your major
- Availability of interesting and valuable courses within your major
- The prominence of your department within the college
Academic Challenge
Each school has its own level of academic rigor. Community colleges, for example, often provide an easier transition from high school, while Ivy League schools are renowned for their challenging programs.
Gather information from multiple sources—school websites, counselors, and students—about professors, course loads, and overall expectations to understand how demanding a school might be.
Student Support
Today’s colleges offer a wide range of support systems, from mental health services to career guidance. Some schools even provide opportunities to connect with industry professionals before you graduate. Consider what types of support will best suit your needs.
Campus Life
Campus life includes factors like the size and layout of the campus, student housing and dining options, extracurricular activities, and student diversity. Even if you’re only living on campus for a year, these details will shape your college experience.
Affordability
While tuition and housing costs are the most obvious expenses, don’t forget to account for transportation, meal plans, and off-campus living. It’s essential to understand all the financial factors that come into play when attending a particular college.
Personal Preferences
Finally, don’t ignore the details that matter to you. If a college’s culture or history is important to you, prioritize that. While no college will be a perfect match in every category, there’s always something unique to get excited about at each school.
Confidence Comes from Research
Once you know how to efficiently find the information you need, researching colleges becomes a far less intimidating task. By following a timeline and focusing on the key aspects that matter most, you’ll make the process smoother and more productive.
For assistance with your college essays, check out Admit AI, which provides automatic feedback to help write essays that will get you accepted.
Always remember: The more research you do, the more confident you’ll be in finding the right college for you!