<p>twinmom...</p>
<p>Perhaps they would disagree, but I cannot tell you the number of students I know who think they are a "fit" at an institution, only to be rejected, go to a school they did not think was a "fit," and realize that their perceptions of what an accurate and appropriate fit for them really is/was. At my institution, I interview plenty of students who, in our discussions, advise me what they are looking for in a school...many times, they believe my institution can offer them what they are looking for and are surprised when I reply "actually, you won't find that here at (enter name of my school)". It is jarring for some of them, but many students believe that just because they have worked their tails off, have high grades and testing, and are active in their communities they are a "fit" for every highly selective, prestigious school in the country...and that just isn't true. </p>
<p>This is why I stress the importance of DOING ONE's HOMEWORK <em>WELL</em>. What does this mean? It means asking yourself what kind of environment do you want to be in? At large school? A small one? One with large classes taught by ta's? One with small, seminar classes taught by profs? A school with a competitive atmosphere? A school with a more collaborative atmosphere? A school with a self-contained campus? One with a campus integrated into a city? A place where one can engage in research at the undergraduate level? etc..., etc..., etc..., These are questions that students should ask themselves and answer BEFORE going on visits to schools. Before reading Fiske's. Knowing what you are looking for in a school makes finding the right fit for oneself easier...all too often, however, students figure it out as they go along and convince themselves - because of their peers, parents, and others - that their fit is school X when, really, it is school Y. </p>
<p>I will be blunt...students and parents come into admissions offices all around the country thinking they are a fit - or rather that the school fits them - solely because of WHAT THEY THINK THE SCHOOL IS LIKE rather than actually getting to know WHAT THE SCHOOL IS REALLY LIKE, usually because they are intoxicated by prestige. I start my information sessions telling students that if they are looking for this, that, and this, they should leave now and not waste their time because they aren't going to find it at my school. Why? Because I would rather a student apply to my school knowing what the school can truly offer them rather than apply, only to be shocked by their rejection because they clearly were not a fit for us. </p>
<p>The search takes time - a lot of it. Not all students have the luxury to visit campuses, meet current students, sit in on classes, etc...,. This is why I repeatedly mention in my posts that students should NOT BE AFRAID TO CALL ADMISSIONS OFFICES AND ASK THE QUESTIONS YOU <em>NEED</em> THE ANSWERS TO. Doing so will give one a clearer picture of what the school can offer and whether or not it is a place where one can thrive which, ultimately, is what we in admissions are trying to discern.</p>