<p>The NYT reported a couple of years ago that 1 in 3 college students is a transfer student, clearly “Fit” is something that is hard to determine during the selection process. With so much on the line, a group of 6 Harvard students just created a new program called Campus Insider (<a href=“http://www.campusinsider.org”>www.campusinsider.org</a>). The program connects high school students with curated college students with similar backgrounds and interests for direct and confidential conversations about the true student social and academic experience. Check out this short video (<2 min) for more info: <a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube;
<p>It’s very important that YOU want to go there instead of attending for someone else. Also don’t attend just because of the name</p>
<p>If you can’t afford it without mortgaging your future, it doesn’t “fit.”</p>
<p>Fit is hard to assess. Kids change. Things change. I still remember the young man who so shocked his parents when he came home from Bucknell for winter break with all of his things and adamently refused to return. It was his first choice school. But things just didn’t turn out the way he had expected. He would have given the “Fit” a 10 out of 10 when picking, but could not stand the place in short time. Did very well as a transfer and is now a doctor Can’t argue with that success. </p>
<p>Don’t blame on kids, adults as well. The divorce rate in America is what? ~50% ? So one out of two family does not “fit”? or Course Rigor?</p>
<p>How much the program corresponds with a student’s goals. You could get into Wharton with a full ride, but if your one and only interest is Bulgarian Literature, you’re still fresh out of luck </p>
<p>Mine was pretty detailed, but I wanted to pick a school where I could get a great education but also enjoy four to five years of my life immensely. With that said, I cared a lot about the greek life and wanted a school with good greek housing and lots of opportunities. I also wanted to go to a ‘big sports school’, because I love sports. </p>
<p>So for me the biggest factors were finding a nice campus, great sports clubs, and good greek life – all interwoven together with a good academic reputation. I chose to attend an SEC school for these reasons and have enjoyed it. A lot of people give the SEC flack for bad academics, but I don’t think that’s the case. Yes, relative to other Division 1 conferences, the SEC is probably on the lower end of things. However, any big flagship University is going to have plenty of academic All Stars. </p>
<p>University of Florida, Vanderbilt, Alabama, Arkansas, Mizzou, and South Carolina are all ranked in the Top 150 National Universities. I’m sure there are others in the SEC. Probably most, that are in the Top 150 – these are just the ones I know for certain. </p>
<p>Although I’ll sound like a hippy, but the “vibes” are super important. If you research + truly believe you were meant to go to this uni, then you’re going to end up trying harder at that uni. <- do i make sense?</p>
<p>Prestige, courses, scholarships, and where your parents want you to go sort of matters but at the end of the day if you don’t really feel like you’re going to like it there, what’s the point?</p>
<p>Life’s short. Don’t waste it by following other people’s reasons.
Go with your gut~ Then no regrets
: )</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1665912-need-help-in-deciding-where-to-apply-international-student.html?new=1”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1665912-need-help-in-deciding-where-to-apply-international-student.html?new=1</a></p>
<p>The most important factor in choosing a college is CAN I AFFORD IT?</p>
<p>I’ve long lost count of how many similar threads I’ve read of kids wanting to know their chances as an OOS applicant to UCLA needing FA, or how to borrow 45k/year to go to NYU.</p>
<p>Unless money is no object for your family, you need to have a strategy UP FRONT, and not as an afterthought, for paying for college: in-state public, need-based aid, merit aid, community college, whatever. Then u can pick a slate of schools accordingly. </p>
<p>If u need a lot of FA, then target schools w either a low COA or give generous FA. If your income level is likely to disqualify u for FA, but still can’t afford full pay private, then target in-state public, and schools that give generous merit aid-- you shouldn’t be chasing ivy schools that only give need-based aid.</p>
<p>Most important factor in selection after acceptance is financial aid/cost. As far as selecting schools to apply to, my personal top 3 are 1. The atmosphere (what kind of students, how I feel on campus, town v rural v city etc.) 2. Academics including rankings and co-ops/internship program 3. Location distance wise. This way I’m never applying to somewhere where I wouldn’t be happy in the first place.</p>
<p>
No, the cost side has to worked BEFORE you even apply. It needs to be considered as you put together your list of which schools to apply to.</p>
<p>Too many kids on CC complaining that they can’t afford any of the schools they were admitted into.</p>
<p>The most important factor in selecting a college is quality of education correlated to what you are paying.</p>
<p>Honesly, my personal opinion is that the social atmosphere and the campus itself is your kind of place. If you don’t connect with the college on these levels, than it is probably harder to succeed academically.</p>
<p>“Overall Fit”
Hoping that the major 3 things are considers to build that perfect fit -
1). Academic program/Rigor/Quality
2.) Affordability
3). Environment (social, nature, prospects) etc.
In that other…
Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>GPA</p>
<p>I think this is the right order…</p>
<p>1). Affordability
2). Environment (social, nature, prospects) etc.
3). Academic program/Rigor/Quality</p>
<p>Many students significantly underrate the environment of the school. The ivy leagues are filled with thousands of students who hate being there, but are there because of the name, prestige, and academics. College is so much more than learning content. You need to find an affordable place where you can flourish and grow. If you only care about the academic aspect, you might as well join an online college. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.xerjester.com/mepicsdone/facepalm.jpg”>http://www.xerjester.com/mepicsdone/facepalm.jpg</a></p>
<p>A canard for the ages!</p>
<p>What about Stanford, MIT, Chicago, Cal Tech, Duke, and the top LACs? Anyone who would lump the eight schools of that East Coast athletic conference into one boat should include these too. </p>
<p>@Exodius It’s called an example… </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.xerjester.com/mepicsdone/facepalm.jpg”>http://www.xerjester.com/mepicsdone/facepalm.jpg</a></p>
<p>I don’t think prestige is as important as FIT because when you think about it, you want to go to a school that is a good match for you. If you’re not quite ready for a rigorous program, maybe a lower division school is a better fit for you. idk that’s just my personal opinion because I know I personally can’t handle the academic rigor of Stanford, but I can certainly handle Cal Poly, and besides Cal Poly is a better fit for me anyway. So think about where you’d fit in best, not so much about how good the school is. You get what you put in to your education. </p>