<p>I think so far your list is fine, but you should add some schools that you have a better chance of getting into.</p>
<p>Okay, so you have a great list of well-known schools, and they all have great academics, no question about that.</p>
<p>Now, you have to focus on the non-academic aspects. You shouldn't just base your list on academics alone.</p>
<p>Here are some questions to get you going:</p>
<p>Questions to Ask Students and Yourself</p>
<p>SIZE/LOCATION:
Is the overall size of the school right for my personality?
Is the location right? (Consider region, distance from major city, distance from home, weather)
Are class sizes right for my learning style and my need for involvement in my class?
Will I be comfortable with the setting of the campus? (rural, suburban, urban)
Is there a genuine sense of community?
Does the school feel claustrophobic?</p>
<p>STUDENT BODY: How would you characterize the majority of students?
Are they bookish nerds?
Are they warm, fuzzy, and welcoming, or are they very independent?
Are they quirky? In what ways and to what extent?
Is there competition for grades, or is the emphasis on learning?
Are students generally involved in school activities?
Do students look more like they came out of a Goodwill sale rather than from a J. Crew catalog?
What is the drinking, the drug, and the sex scene?
What would students talk about in the dining hall?
How politically active are students?
Are there social cliques, which prevent personal social growth?
From what economic background are the majority of students?
How late would students typically stay up talking about academics?
Will the campus meet m religious and/or ethnic needs?</p>
<p>ACTIVITIES/SOCIAL SCENE:
What do students do for fun?
What's there to do in town? How do I get there? Do I need a car?
How often do people get out in the city?
Are there interesting guest speakers on campus?
Does the school have a cultural environment?
Are there opportunities for some off-campus or overseas programs?
What are parties like? What is the Greek scene? How often do students party?
Are there opportunities for undergraduate research?
Is it possible to get an internship or to have work experience during the school year or summer?
How safe is the campus?
Will I find activities that meet my interests?
What is the role of fraternities and sororities on campus? If I didn't want to join, could I have a satisfactory social life?</p>
<p>CAMPUS FACILITIES:
Are there resources to help ease me into a job? What about assistance with internships, interviews, and graduate school placement? How useful and accessible are they?
Is there easy access to the library? How often is it closed?
How does the school ease the transition from high school senior to college freshman? Are there freshman orientations?
How easy is it to get the classes I want?
Is housing guaranteed for all four years? Would it be a nice neighborhood to live in if I'm not guaranteed on-campus housing for all four years?
Are the food services suitable?
Are computer facilities readily available and are campus networking opportunities up-to-date?
Is the connection to the Internet adequate?
Do the people in the financial aid, housing, and other service offices seem attentive and genuinely interested in helping students?
Does the campus seem well maintained and managed?</p>
<p>ACADEMICS:
Does the college offer programs I want to study? Does the college offer people and classes that will help me decide what I want to study?
Do professors teach, or do TA's? How accessible are professors, TA's, and tutors?
What are the major styles of teaching? Discussion, seminar, lecture?
Will the college push me academically, but not shove me?
Do the best professors teach undergraduate courses?
Can I change majors easily if I have to?
Do students say the majority of classes are taught by fun, stimulating, and interesting professors?
Is there close student-faculty and student-student interaction? How often do students talk about academics?
Do people just take notes, go to dorm, and study and do their own thing, or is the school warm and fuzzy with lots of intellectual discussion?
Does the honor code work? How widespread is cheating?
How much free time do students have?
Does everyone do some major senior project as a capstone of his college experience?</p>
<p>EXTRA THINGS:
What are the chief gripes of people around here?
Does the faculty advising system really work?
Is the campus residential or commuter? How many people leave campus on weekends?
Is there a good balance of academics, social life, and extracurricular activities?
What is distinctive about education here?
Are students genuinely enthusiastic about their classes?
Has the student government made any real contribution to the school?
What political, social, or academic issues concerned students last year? How did the administration react? What was the resolution?</p>
<p>THE FIVE MOST CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
Is there a good chance I will be academically successful here?
Will I be happy as a student here?
Do I seem compatible with the student population? Do they seem to enjoy what I enjoy?
Does the student life seem in sync with my personality and my goals?
Is the student life what I'm looking for in a college?
Does the college feel right for me?</p>
<p>Good luck, and have fun! Happy trails!</p>