Concrete Steps to Conduct a College Search

By Jennifer Kunze, Ph.D.

Director of Ramp-Up to Readiness

I recently joined a Facebook group of parents that seeks to share information about colleges. One of my greatest surprises within this group is that parents often ask other complete strangers for ideas about where their child should go to college. Getting ready for and going to college is by no means an easy task, and reading these social media posts has reminded me that knowing how to conduct a college search is not universal knowledge. So, for those unsure of where to start, here are some basic tips that will get you moving ahead.

1. Start early. Ideally, in elementary and middle school, kids will hear about college and what the benefits are of going. In addition, students might visit a few colleges while on school field trips, attend sporting events or concerts, or participate in a K-12 summer camp program. If so, students will begin to have a sense of what takes place on college campuses by the time they get to high school.

2. Visit local colleges. As early as the summer after 8th grade, students can start to make official visits to schools in their area. They can do this by registering for appointments on the colleges’ websites. Visits are generally about two hours long, and it is helpful to have a family member attend with them. Visiting a wide array of local postsecondary institutions, such as two and four-year schools, and trade schools is wise, too, as it will narrow down some of the many choices available. Schools also offer virtual college visits for those unable to travel to visit a college in person. 

3. Think about additional college factors that will help guide a decision. 

a. Degree Type: Does the student hope to pursue a certificate, an Associate’s Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree?

b. Location: Does the student want to be in a rural, suburban, or urban area?

c. Size: Would the student like a small (under 5000 students), medium (approximately 5000 to 15,000 students, or large (more than 15,000) school?

d. Cost: What can the student afford to spend per year on college? One caution is that the annual price tags on college are astronomical, but families should understand that most people do not end up paying the sticker price seen on their website, and that students with financial need can find support. At any rate, the cost of attending college should not deter anyone from considering it at this stage.

e. Test Scores: Does the student intend to submit a standardized test score with the college application?

f. Affiliations: Does the student want to attend a school that has a particular mission or religion?

g. College Type: Does the student prefer to attend a public, private, or for-profit school?

h. Acceptance Rate: Does the student seek a school that has high, medium, or low acceptance rates?
 

4. Use a highly reputable and free source to search for schools meeting the criteria determined from the factors above. My favorite search tool is the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard because it is easy to use and provides current data at the institution level and by field of study. Students will then need to make sure that the remaining schools on their list have the majors and programs that they think they will pursue. Colleges can easily be compared and contrasted on this site, too. 

Once families have reached this point, students are ready to create an initial college list, which may have 10 - 20 names on it. Students should then make official in-person visits to their top choices, and when feasible, group several schools in the same region together in a series of visits to weigh against each other. In addition, students may want to visit a family member or friend on campus, and if possible eat on campus with them, visit their classrooms and places to study, and learn what kinds of non-academic opportunities the school offers. 

If in-person visits are not possible, students can schedule virtual tours. It may be wise to register for virtual tours on the school website because it is one way to express demonstrated interest in the school, which may be taken into consideration by Admissions teams later. One other way students can learn more about their colleges of interest is to schedule time with their own school or career counselor. These folks have deep knowledge about all things related to college. Finally, students can attend presentations by college recruiters who visit high schools. During these events, students should come prepared to ask questions and engage in dialogue with the recruiters.

After visiting several schools, families will have a clearer sense of what they are seeking in a college. At this stage, students may want to eliminate some of the colleges on their initial list, or add others that align with their priorities. Before filling out applications, which can be an expensive and time consuming endeavor, students should have lengthy, deep conversations with their families about mutual expectations in the process. Discussion points will vary, but families can consider if the list contains schools that are a financial, regional, program, and social fit. In addition, families should ensure that the list incorporates schools where the student has a low, medium, and high probability of being accepted to keep options strong! Finally, students should be aware that application fee waivers can be requested for those needing them.

The college search is undoubtedly a long, emotion-filled endeavor for students. There are, however, concrete ways to eliminate the uncertainty. Starting early, visiting local options, using reliable college search tools, utilizing resources at their own schools, and scheduling time for families to discuss options and expectations are all key steps that will help provide a path to clarity and a sound decision. Good luck!
 

About the Author
Jennifer Kunze, Ph.D., is the Director of Ramp-Up to Readiness™ at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities. Ramp-Up is a college and career ready curriculum for grades 6 - 12 that strives to make sure all students have an equitable opportunity to achieve social and economic mobility through higher education—whether it be at a two or four-year college, a trade school, or an apprenticeship.