Last night, I listened to a Coalition for College panel session, “All About Testing”. I learned more about the role standardized tests play in college admissions for the class of 2023. Admission representatives from Barnard College, Carleton College, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and the University of Vermont were on the panel.
As I was learning about how colleges are taking a more holistic view of college applicants post-pandemic, it made me realize that teens can also take a holistic view of colleges that they place on their college lists. Remember that it is the teen (not just the college) making the choice!
What does that look like practically? Teens can determine if prospective schools have the attributes to be a good fit by asking themselves some of the questions below:
Mission Fit
-Is the prospective school’s mission similar to my personal desires?
Academic Fit
-Will the school’s academic offerings (classes, class sizes, internships, etc.) help me to attain my post-college goals?
-Are the teachers truly interested and vested in the success of their students?
-What type of guidance/counseling is available?
-Can I learn best in this environment?
Social Fit
-Will I fit in socially and connect with the other students?
Thomas Bear (from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology) gave one piece of advice that really stood out when thinking about school “fit” socially: While visiting prospective colleges “eat lunch at the dining hall and listen to the conversations”.
Dining halls are definitely great places to get a glimpse of the various college student groupings.
-Is the diversity at a level that I am comfortable with?
-Will the clubs and activities that are offered enhance my college experience?
-Will my passions and interests be encouraged here? Can I be my genuine, authentic self at this college?
Financial Fit
-Will the financial aid package that the college offers work for my family?
You can use the College Net Price Calculator tool to quickly find out how much your family will need to pay for each potential college.
Every college website is required (by federal law) to have this college grant estimation tool on its website. You can also find the link for your desired school’s net price calculator on the U.S. Department of Education’s Net Price Calculator Center.
-Am I willing to get a job, participate in a work-study program and/or take out loans for costs not covered by grants, scholarships and the like?
Ultimately, we want our teens to go to colleges that are good fits – places where we believe that they can be successful. I loved when Grace Bradley (from Barnard College) said, “There are multiple wonderful options” for each student.
She also echoed what I had said in my prior college list post – students should apply to schools that they would be excited to go to. That way, even if they don’t get into their “first choice” school, they end up with other great choices.
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