<p>Throughout CC everyone talking about finding the school that's the perfect fit for you. What does that mean? Besides weather and size, I don't really understand what everyone means by that. I have heard that you get that feeling when you walk onto a campus. I think I felt that at Stanford, but the rejection letter shattered that dream. Can someone on here please explain this concept of "The Right Fit"?</p>
<p>I felt the same way about Stanford, but I got a cold, cold rejection of course. One of the most important parts of selecting the right fit is to be realistic about your chances at extremely competitive colleges. It also comes down to what the adcoms think of you. While you might believe that their college is right for you, they might not. There are many out there that you’ll be happy at. Visit more college campuses. Pick the colleges you love the most, while keeping in mind affordability, academics, reputation, opportunities, and campus feel. You’ll know if the one you pick is right for you if enjoy your experience while attending. I wish you the best of luck! :)</p>
<p>No I do not think it is a ‘feeling when you walk onto a campus’. That is just temporary, from newness and stars in your eyes. Once you are there and see it every day, is the culture suiting your? Insular community or urban life or both? Intimate environment or large social scene? Students are connected, you are meeting people you want to be around? The graduation requirements? Academic strengths in your interest areas? Class size, relation to profs, opportunities. Things available you like to do? </p>
<p>Someone is posting in the Brown forum that they are thinking of leaving at college they are otherwise happy at because not enough hiking or running opportunities. To actually leave for that reason meant it must have been very important so they have a bad fit. That hiking situation could have been foreseen. A student from Brown transferred to Harvard but found the fit bad because of being discouraged from taking a grad class in an area not in her concentration and being restricted to one concentration so she transferred back and got a double major BA as well as a BS in a third area. Another reason I see a lot of students in the transfer forum is because they don’t feel they fit in with the student body–people are either too immature/hs, too nerdy, not nerdy enough, too party, not party enough, not intellectual etc.</p>
<p>Let me offer something about fit that has nothing to do with the feel of things. Expected Family Contribution. If your family cannot or will not provide what the school expects of them in the way of payment, you’re not the right fit for that school. Fortunately, there are several thousand other colleges to which to apply. You’ll find one that fits in all the ways that are important. </p>
<p>I don’t think that a rainbow comes out or the angels sing when you find a school that is a good fit. The fact is that there is more than one “right school” for every person. You need to assess what is important to you in a school such as (but not limited to) finances, academics (including majors, class sizes etc.) location (both geographically and if you prefer a city/suburban/urban area), size. if you care about big time sports or not, if you want Greek Life or don’t care, if you like the students you met, or anything that is important to you. Sorry Stanford didn’t work out, but there are many other great schools out there so find one you love.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone</p>