Young White blonde with hair in bun smiling holding five fingers up

5 Important College Search Criteria to Find the Best Schools for You

There are many factors to consider during your college search, but these are the most important to keep in mind as you look for the best school(s) for you.

Throughout the college application process, you’ll hear a lot about finding the right college “fit” for you, but what does that really mean? There are many factors to consider as you’re searching for a great place to pursue higher education, and everyone will have different criteria that may seem more important than others. But here are five of the most common considerations to help you determine if a college or university aligns with your preferences and is a good option that fits you and your goals.

1. Size

When researching colleges and universities, it’s important to consider their size and student population. Some people feel more comfortable at larger schools with tens of thousands of students, while others might get overwhelmed. A big university might also lack the staff to provide you with regular one-on-one support, forcing students to take the initiative to engage with professors or learn on their own. Similarly, some students enjoy the relative coziness of a smaller liberal arts college or university. A more personal connection with professors may make getting help easier, but some students might feel stifled in such a close-knit learning environment.

By the same token, different sized universities may receive different amounts of funding and use their resources differently. Larger universities are often more well known with bigger alumni networks and thus receive more funding. With more students to support and larger campuses to furnish, however, you may receive a smaller amount of financial aid or scholarships at these schools. Small colleges often receive smaller donations than big, well-known universities; with fewer students to support, however, financial aid awards and scholarships could be larger. School size often goes hand-in-hand with learning style and financial ability, making it all the more important to consider in your final college decision.

Related: Considering College Size: Which Is Right for You?

2. Location

Another key aspect of the college experience is the school’s location. Do you thrive in the hustle and bustle of a city, the relative calm of a suburb, or the open space of a rural area? Is the rush of the East Coast calling you, or is the more laid-back vibe of the West Coast your style? Do you want to stay near your family, travel across the country, or even travel abroad? A college’s location often dictates what you can do in your free time as well. If you’re someone who likes to get out of the house, for instance, you’ll probably want to attend school in a city or suburb with a vibrant nightlife or busy downtown area. If you enjoy peace, quiet, and relaxing in your room with a few friends or a good book, a calmer suburban college or rural university might suit you better. Remember, you’ll most likely be living in or around your school for four years or more, so it’s important to find a location that you’ll enjoy.

3. Special focus and major selection

Do you have a strong connection with your faith? Are you passionate about the arts or sciences? Maybe you’ve been interested in a single-gender school or exploring your heritage through a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). If any of these options pique your interest, a school with a special focus might be a great fit for you.

While the categories mentioned above may seem specific, most universities have a subject or two that they specialize in. Before applying to a university, be sure to look at their list of majors and minors to make sure they have several different academic programs that interest you. If you’re still unsure what you’d like to study in college, make a list of five or 10 subjects that interest you, pick a college or university to research, and check off that list based on majors that the school offers.

Related: How to Choose Your Major and Explore All Your Options

4. Student life

While it’s important to study during college, it’s just as important to remember that you could be spending more than four years with the students around you. With this in mind, student life at your future college or university could make or break your experience. If you have the opportunity, take time to visit a school and interact with some of the people there. This can help you learn what students do in their free time and whether those activities align with your favorite pastimes. If you end up clicking with some of the students, great! If you choose to attend that school, you can look forward to having some friends there already and knowing some of the best places to have fun around campus. While an in-person visit to a school is ideal, it can be expensive to travel to so many places before applying. If you can’t travel to the school yourself, take a virtual tour and peruse their social media to learn more about a school’s student life and traditions.

5. Career matriculation

When you’re applying to college, your future job may seem far away. But no matter how long you think you have, the time will come when you have to enter the workforce. Luckily, many colleges provide support with internships and networking opportunities that will kick-start your career. As part of your college research, look up what companies your top schools have a connection with. Most colleges are very proud of their graduates’ job placements, so this information should be readily available in information packets, on the school’s website, or on social media accounts like LinkedIn. Be sure to consider more than just the prestige of these companies too—look for colleges with connections that truly excite you and job opportunities you can see yourself enjoying five to 10 years in the future.

Related: How to Use LinkedIn Data to Build Your College List

Ultimately, deciding what college “fits” you best is a very personal decision. With these five topics in mind, you’ll be more prepared than ever to find the school of your dreams. Best of luck in all your research!

Not sure where to start your college search? Check out all our featured schools by category to start connecting with colleges and get the ball rolling! 

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

Tags:

About Sofia DeRose

Sofia DeRose is a member of the Class of 2024. Outside of school, she enjoys rowing, reading, and writing.

 

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress
Alexandria

Alexandria

High School Class of 2021

For a long time, I've been searching everywhere to find the perfect website I can get scholarships and information from. Needless to say, I could never find the right one. That was, until I found CollegeXpress. Through my journey of finding the right scholarships for me, I was able to find articles about different things. They've all been helpful, especially in times like this! I was even able to connect with some of my favorite colleges! I love CollegeXpress. Thank you!

Caitlin Eaton

Caitlin Eaton

$10,000 Scholarship Winner, 2021

I first discovered CollegeXpress during my sophomore year of high school while researching colleges that interested me. My SAT prep class the following year further familiarized me with the opportunities available through the organization. CX has personally helped me by exposing me to a diverse selection of schools as well as scholarships and life tips that have provided valuable guidance in my college search.

This scholarship will help me adjust to college life without worrying as much about tuition. This gives me more room to truly explore and benefit from all aspects of higher education. I plan to study Conservation Biology and work protecting species/ecosystems. I’m looking forward to getting field experience and seeing firsthand the problems research is solving.

Sierra Carranza

Sierra Carranza

High School Class of 2022

I had absolutely no idea where I wanted to go to school; I was considering colleges in almost every state. CollegeXpress was an amazing resource and helped me compare all of my top schools. Without the help of CollegeXpress, I probably wouldn't have made such an informed and confident decision.

Sadie Hartmann

Sadie Hartmann

High School Class of 2021

I'm a senior in high school, and CollegeXpress has helped me in so many ways this year in trying to navigate the process of deciding and committing to a university. The COVID-19 Student Resource Center has helped me many times with the most up-to-date and accurate information, along with financial aid and student life [advice]. During these uncertain times, CollegeXpress has been a great recourse to relieve the stress as a senior. Along with the COVID-19 Student Resource Center, I'm constantly using the extremely helpful tools off the site to aid me during this stressful process. Tools like the lists and rankings of universities have been the most beneficial. I've also used the site to receive expert advice on topics like financial aid. Finally, CollegeXpress has helped me easily apply for several scholarships. I'm thankful to be given the chance to win a scholarship to lessen the burden of my college debt.

Jeff Parsons

Jeff Parsons

Counselor

Thank you so much for this valuable information about these opportunities. I truly appreciate the CollegeXpress communications and use them to keep my high school seniors informed about their opportunities!

College Matches
X

Colleges You May Be Interested In

Samford University

Birmingham, AL