Anonymous
Post 11/27/2013 17:45     Subject: Re:I Have No Idea How to Evaluate Colleges
The advice I was given was this: start by visiting a small, a medium, and a large campus, and let your child decide which they prefer -- that should be the first step. After that, evaluate based on strength of intended major.
Anonymous
Post 11/27/2013 17:34     Subject: I Have No Idea How to Evaluate Colleges
Determine the interests of your child. Find a school that offers such programs. Is there a location north, south, east, or west. Is in state, out of state, or privates are a priority? Large schools have greater course offerings. Is your child interested in attending sporting events?

There's hundreds of colleges, but the variables are not the great. Climate, Courses/Programs, Size, and Social Life.
Anonymous
Post 11/27/2013 16:43     Subject: I Have No Idea How to Evaluate Colleges
Co-ed dorms aren't for our family.

oh dear, I just read this
Anonymous
Post 11/27/2013 16:41     Subject: I Have No Idea How to Evaluate Colleges
I would look at the Common Data Set online (now some small privates will not post, but most do) For one, look at the last page of this document and note the % of graduates in each major. If it is particular departments you/son are interested you may want to know it's size/influence.
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2013 11:37     Subject: I Have No Idea How to Evaluate Colleges
OP, is it you who is having trouble with this or your DC? Because if its the former, let your DS decide. He may get a gut feeling of where he would belong.

One thing thats very helpful is to narrow it down to a few he really likes so he can spend the night and go to classes.
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2013 08:05     Subject: Re:I Have No Idea How to Evaluate Colleges
OP, a dozen is a fine number of colleges for a junior to be considering. It's great he has criteria at all. I have a senior who will finish college app #14 this weekend. She hasn't narrowed down her criteria much at all and most schools have early application deadlines. The only downside at this point is the $70/application. But we're figuring that will be worth it when she finds her best fit college.
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2013 08:00     Subject: I Have No Idea How to Evaluate Colleges
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Co-ed dorms aren't for our family.

Well that narrows the list way way down. I don't think we've visited a college where dorms were not coed (many separate men/women by floor or wing).

Sorry, that seems good enough. We just had the unfortunate experience of touring dorms with our daughter, that had larger than life playboy posters for all to see. Can't imagine too many parents thinking they'll send their daughter to live there.

I wasn't knocking your criteria, but more commenting how widespread the coed dorms seem to be compared to when I last was in a college dorm 30 yrs ago.
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2013 07:58     Subject: I Have No Idea How to Evaluate Colleges
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Co-ed dorms aren't for our family.

Well that narrows the list way way down. I don't think we've visited a college where dorms were not coed (many separate men/women by floor or wing).

Sorry, that seems good enough. We just had the unfortunate experience of touring dorms with our daughter, that had larger than life playboy posters for all to see. Can't imagine too many parents thinking they'll send their daughter to live there.
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2013 07:50     Subject: I Have No Idea How to Evaluate Colleges
Thanks for the reference to Choosing the Right College. Looks helpful!
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2013 07:08     Subject: I Have No Idea How to Evaluate Colleges
Anonymous wrote:Co-ed dorms aren't for our family.

Well that narrows the list way way down. I don't think we've visited a college where dorms were not coed (many separate men/women by floor or wing).
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2013 07:03     Subject: I Have No Idea How to Evaluate Colleges
Co-ed dorms aren't for our family.
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2013 06:55     Subject: I Have No Idea How to Evaluate Colleges
There is one, and only one criteria that counts, how many graduates had jobs within 6 months of graduation from the department/program in which your child wants to study.
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2013 06:27     Subject: Re:I Have No Idea How to Evaluate Colleges
Talk to your DC's counselor or Career Center Dricrector.
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2013 05:44     Subject: I Have No Idea How to Evaluate Colleges
Anonymous wrote:We have just started visiting colleges with our oldest. I have looked at the rankings, Fiske, College Confidential and the like. So we know the range of schools he may qualify for, what the common wisdom and stereotypes are for different schools, and he has preferences for size and location, sports, Greek life, etc. But probably a dozen schools easily fit his general parameters. How do you start to narrow it down? We have visited a couple schools that he really liked based on the tours. But unless we know a current or recent student, they all seem like black boxes. How can you know if the teaching, or particular programs, are really any good? How can the student really know if he will fit in based on seeing a few hand picked kids at admissions events and maybe spending one night? It seems crazy to spend so much money on something one can know so little about in advance, and I have been surprised to hear how many of my friends' kids have transferred after one year because the school turned out to be a poor fit socially or academically. Our high school will be of limited help since DS is interested in colleges most kids at his small school don't apply to. Any advice on how to get a deeper understanding of potential colleges?


USNEWS is a good starting point for everyone. Once you've identified target schools, the first hand insight from college prowler and college confidential can fill in gaps. YouTube videos are the "poor mans" way to get a virtual campus tour. The "Choosing the Right College" guide is the most detailed, but it is not for everyone - use it if you want to avoid overly politicized campuses and watered down core curricula.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2013 23:55     Subject: I Have No Idea How to Evaluate Colleges
We have just started visiting colleges with our oldest. I have looked at the rankings, Fiske, College Confidential and the like. So we know the range of schools he may qualify for, what the common wisdom and stereotypes are for different schools, and he has preferences for size and location, sports, Greek life, etc. But probably a dozen schools easily fit his general parameters. How do you start to narrow it down? We have visited a couple schools that he really liked based on the tours. But unless we know a current or recent student, they all seem like black boxes. How can you know if the teaching, or particular programs, are really any good? How can the student really know if he will fit in based on seeing a few hand picked kids at admissions events and maybe spending one night? It seems crazy to spend so much money on something one can know so little about in advance, and I have been surprised to hear how many of my friends' kids have transferred after one year because the school turned out to be a poor fit socially or academically. Our high school will be of limited help since DS is interested in colleges most kids at his small school don't apply to. Any advice on how to get a deeper understanding of potential colleges?