How to find the college with the best fit?

[Anonymous]

I think that one point here is to try to emphasize the idea that nothing is perfect.

For me, college was so much fun, in retrospect. But, while I was in college, a lot of what went on was exhausting, scary, humiliating and annoying. And I changed while I was in college. Some of what would have seemed great to my freshman self would have been bad for my senior self.

So, it’s good to sell your kid on the idea of making a choice, playing the hand dealt, and not counting on the college experience to feel wonderful while it’s happening or to lead instantly to the start of a fabulous career.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Serious question. What is a good resource where we can look at various factors beyond admissions rates, GPA, and test scores? Size of classes, dorm life, social activities, rural/urban setting, safety, etc? Would prefer a written guide so we can flip through and look at all the options, but the USNWR and Princeton guides seem a bit spare on the variables we are interested in.

Unfortunately, the real answer is there isn't a great way. It's like wondering whether you should take the job in Boston or Seattle. Intangibles like weather and whether you click with your hosts (student guides here) end up influencing your impressions. It's hard to know what's real and genuine and what's just a blip.

Back in the day, the Preppy Guide was very good. The author called it as she she saw it. That kind of opinionated writing doesn't exist anymore when it comes to colleges. Fiske and Princeton are bland.

In the end, nothing really beats a visit. My DC rejected several schools that way. It's a vibe. They click or they don't.

[Anonymous]

There is no perfect fit. It’s a myth. Out of the 4,000 to 6,000 institutions in America, DCUM parents’ kids usually apply to 10-15. Miraculously, every year, those moms come back on here to brag that their kid “found their own people” and “fit”. It’s like buying a car. After you do, you tell everyone how great is is (I do like my KIA). Don’t believe them. Use common sense. First, what can you afford? Every seasoned college counselor should start with that. Do not show your child a school they cannot afford. Then start with the obvious and tout an affordable university and an affordable slac and ask your child which they prefer. Read everything you can about college admissions. Go to College Confidential and Reddit and read. But, frankly, if I could do undergrad applications again I would hire a highly referred by-the-hour (not package) college counselor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sometimes I wonder if what the kids think they want is actually what they want. They don't have the benefit of life experience and are just making judgment from an outsider's perspective, basically saying to themselves, that looks cool.

It would be nice if AI could psychologically profile a kid and match him with a school where other kids with similar profiles had a great experience. Crap, I just gave away a billion dollar idea.

Well my DS looked at a map asking where are there ice rinks and good coastal fishing? Long Island! What colleges are there?

One way of narrowing down. I am not fully on board with that method.

Connecticut College, across the Long Island Sound. Bam.

That’s a great tip!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sometimes I wonder if what the kids think they want is actually what they want. They don't have the benefit of life experience and are just making judgment from an outsider's perspective, basically saying to themselves, that looks cool.

It would be nice if AI could psychologically profile a kid and match him with a school where other kids with similar profiles had a great experience. Crap, I just gave away a billion dollar idea.

Well my DS looked at a map asking where are there ice rinks and good coastal fishing? Long Island! What colleges are there?

One way of narrowing down. I am not fully on board with that method.

SUNY Stony Brook, but they closed down the nearby ice rink years ago!

[Anonymous]

My kid is currently applying, and she doesn’t seem to have a “type”

We visited one private school this summer with 600-ish students, and she thinks she could be happy there.

But then she attended a program at a state university of 20k for the 2nd time and also thinks she could be quite happy there.

And I honestly would be happy if she chose either one of those.

I do think a visit makes a difference, though. Highly recommend it. That way you can visit campus, see the surrounding area, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Remind yourself there is no ONE best fit. There are a lot of colleges your kid could be happy at.

+1
I hate it when people post the colleges their kid is interested in and invariably some dolt comes along and says, "These schools are all over the place! Urban, rural, big, small - what are you thinking??" My kid was interested in a bunch of very different schools and I know his friends were too. You don't have to only look at one "type".