<p>Since summer has begun (I will be a senior next fall) I need to start beginning my college research.</p>
<p>I have perused through the other threads in this forum, and I want to ask a more specific question.</p>
<p>When visiting a college's website, what should I look for? </p>
<p>In other words, I really want to begin college research but honestly just don't know where to begin. </p>
<p>Can anyone help? Where/how should I begin? Thanks!</p>
<p>You should start by trying the College Search function on collegeboard.org, or right here on CC: collegeconfidential.com/college_search/</p>
<p>1) Think about what schools you are academically qualified for. Be honest with yourself. </p>
<p>2) Talk to your parents about finances – get an idea of what they can afford. Tailor your search to find schools that are financial fits as well as academic fits. If you need substantial merit aid, that may mean targeting a few schools where you are above the average profile.</p>
<p>3) Consider what you might want to study and conduct your college search accordingly.</p>
<p>4) Think about your preferences in terms of a school’s size/location etc.</p>
<p>5) Research. Get some college guide books (Fiske, Princeton Review) and look at the school websites to see what appeals to you. While I don’t put a ton of stock in the USNWR ratings, it is a good way to get a list of colleges to consider. The school’s website can give you a sense of the size, academics, class profile etc. of the school.</p>
<p>6) Visit. Look at a variety of different schools. Do the official information session and tour and sign in so the admissions dept. knows you were there. Go when the school is in session. Ask questions. Try to walk around on your own a bit and maybe eat at the cafeteria to get a feel for the school and the students. Try to find schools where you feel comfortable and can see yourself being happy for 4 years. Gut feeling does come into play in the college process. You may change your mind as to what schools you like when you visit schools and that is OK.</p>
<p>7) Don’t get hung up on one college. The only people I see hurt by this process are those who obsess about one particular school and then don’t get in or can’t afford it. There are a ton of great schools out there.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>I liked reading the Fiske guide because it tells you a bit about the college without using the college marketing materials (website). And even if those colleges are not right by you, it gives you some ideas about the differences between colleges and they types of academics, experiences, offered by different colleges so you can see if something strikes you as appealing that you want to look for in other places as well.</p>
<p>From the website (or other source, like College Board) when you are making a list, you want to note down the stats of accepted students so you will have an idea where you fall in the mix, so you can evaluate reach, safety, match. Also the admit rate.</p>
<p>A lot of people here advise to pick your safety first, so you should look at your state schools and get to know more about them, and look at schools where you will definately be accepted and can afford.</p>
<p>Okay, thank you everybody!</p>
<p>Also, about safety schools, if there is a school in my state where I 100% will be accepted (because top 8% are automatically accepted), is it okay to just have one safety school then?</p>
<p>That depends – are you actually 100% sure? If something drastic suddenly happens to your class standing in high school, that could have dramatic implications. I’d go for at least 2 safeties, just in case of a fluke. Additionally, when considering safety schools, keep this question in mind – would you be happy attending that school if you didn’t get in anywhere else? Be honest, and don’t forget that many students each year face this situation and realize that the answer is “no.”</p>
<p>Best of luck in your search!</p>
<p>I think it is OK to have that as the safety as long as 1) you will be happy going there and 2) you are confident that you can afford it. If that safety has EA or rolling admissions I’d get an application in as soon as possible so you are 100% certain you are in. If you can find another safety you like you can always put in another application there. Not knowing the schools, I would recommend that you stage your applications at schools of different levels – I would not just apply to reaches and a safety – apply to a number of match schools as well.</p>
<p>if a school is of interest I check a few things that other people may not even care about…up front.</p>
<ol>
<li>does the school guarantee housing all four years</li>
<li>do they have single rooms for everyone after freshman year if they want one.</li>
<li>how close is the closest hospital</li>
<li>how close is the closest airport with commercial service
5.what is the freshman retention rate (very important to gauge overall student happiness, the higher the better)</li>
</ol>