Choosing a College? Look Beyond the Academics

It’s no secret that academics and cost are usually the two biggest factors in deciding where to apply and where to attend college. Data has shown that when it comes to satisfaction post-graduation, cost matters a lot and rankings matter … a bit less.

But whether you’re taking a first stab at compiling your list of schools to apply to or choosing between your top two options, many other important factors often fall through the cracks. Here are some to add to your list of criteria. 

Location and environment

Whether you want to live at home and commute to your local college or move to another country halfway across the world, where you go to school will impact your experience. 

As you’re making your list, consider:

• How far would you like to be from home?
• Do you want a rural, suburban, or urban environment? 
• Where are the nearest hospitals/doctors’ offices that take your insurance?  

If you’re looking for a college in a city, do you want a distinct campus feel or school buildings integrated into the city?

The campus's style is also worth considering. Would you be more inspired to study in a gothic-style castle on idyllic grassy hills or amid clean, modern architecture with lots of natural light? It may seem silly, but the aesthetic of your campus can contribute to your headspace. 

School pride

School pride — or a lack thereof — helps define campus culture. How much does school pride matter to you? Here are a few places to look for school pride at your dream college: 

• Sports teams: Schools with football teams tend to have the most intense school spirit scene, while those without tend to be slightly calmer about their school pride. For example, if you hit up a football game at the University of Delaware, expect a sea of blue and gold in the stands from the Blue Hens students cheering for their team. 
• Rivalries: Nothing unites college students in enthusiastic support of their school like a common enemy. Whether they are athletic adversaries or rivals in the rankings, colleges with long-standing rivalries will likely have more school spirit. It’s no coincidence that the schools with the most notoriously spirited student bodies are also known for their intense football rivalries. 
• Social media: Look at the school’s Instagram posts to see how much engagement they get. Check out their sports teams’ posts to see how many people are in the stands. 
• Merchandise: When you tour any campus, note how many students wear their college merch. This observation can give you an idea of how much school pride the average student shows. Also, browse the school store; more robust offerings might indicate a higher demand from students and alumni wanting to rep their alma mater. 

Alumni network

A strong alumni network can come in handy during the post-graduation job search. Look for alumni groups or pages on social media and LinkedIn. Also, do a quick Google search for alumni events for the college you’re looking into to see what’s offered. 

You don’t have to wait until graduation to take advantage of the alumni network. Some schools offer mentorship programs that connect current students with alumni. Don’t ignore the value of starting to network before you graduate from high school — alumni might have valuable insights about their alma mater and how it affected their job readiness. 

Learning structure

A college’s learning structure can impact your academic experience because the balance of classroom lectures, hands-on projects, and independent study varies across schools. Take into consideration your preferred learning style when you look at colleges. 

For example, a structured curriculum with clear learning objectives offers a solid foundation for some people — but maybe you’re more comfortable in a flexible, inquiry-based environment. Look at other university resources, like academic advising, tutoring, and research opportunities, too. 

Values and mission

Ultimately, you want to choose a college to help you grow as a person, not just as a student. Think of it as a high-stakes shopping trip — what matters most is that it fits how you want it to. So, when assessing how “right” a school is for you, don’t overlook your core beliefs. 

Some schools have a religious affiliation that informs their values and mission statement. If religion is a source of your values and ideals, a school with a religious affiliation matching yours could be the place for you. Note: religiously affiliated schools welcome students of all backgrounds, so if you aren’t religious or don’t practice the religion that a certain school aligns with, don’t count yourself out.

Do some soul-searching. What matters to you — and what should matter to an institution you attend? If you care about furthering social justice, for example, a school that promotes its focus on diversity and community engagement might be a great fit. Then, review the school’s mission statement to see its core values. Do those values align with yours?

The main takeaways

Deciding where to apply and attend is an enormous decision, and no one can choose for you. Parents: use this guide to better support your teen as they make this decision. (They’re going to need it!)

No online list of factors to consider will include all the criteria that matter to you. This list is hardly exhaustive — but use it as a jumping-off point, adding whatever makes sense for your individual situation and who you are, because you know what matters most to you.