How to Research a College

Researching colleges you may wish to attend is a vital step when trying to find which college or college’s best meet your needs, ideals, desires and your academic goals. Every student thinks he or she knows where they want to go Even if you think you know where you want to go to college you should research that school and others that meet your needs. Maybe you will find that the school you thought was perfect was not what you thought it was.

To research a college or colleges is not always easy, but there are many tools at your fingertips.

Internet Research:

Today most colleges and universities have websites which will allow a student and their parents to view what the school offers. These websites offer a invaluable resource where students can gain information about the school, its programs and majors, location, academics, on campus activities and much more. But you must remember a website is just a brochure about a school and will tell you what they think you want to hear. Most schools are truthful, but you should look close and investigate other sites about the school if possible.

Most college websites will have pictures of the campus, maps of where it is, school resources, list of degrees it offers, and courses you can take. They may offer you information about student life and what recreation is available for their students. Checking out colleges or universities on the internet can give you insight to a school that you may not find through a brochure.


Friends and Relatives:

Take some time to talk to your friends and relatives about schools they know and if they know anything about a college or university you are interested in. You may be surprised by what they know. Even if your friends and relatives do not know about a school they may have a friend that does. So don’t be afraid to ask.

Students and Alumni

If you want to know what a school is really like then you should talk to students or students who have graduated from that college or university. You will find that students and students who have graduated will be your best source of information, they will give you their unvarnished opinion of what it is like or what it was like going to that school. Talking to students going to the college or university now can give you a look at what the campus is like now and what you will find if you decide to attend their school, they can tell you what the professors are like, what classes to take and which ones not to take. Also talking to students who have recently graduated from the college or university can tell you how it was truly like to go there and what they personally feel they gained from their education, take the time to ask each student or alumnus question: Did you like attending _____ college or university? What was it like there? Did you live on campus or off campus? What is the community like around the college? Are the students friendly?
Once again they are your best source of information so don’t be shy to ask them their opinion.




Professional Consultant or Counselor

If you have access to a professional consultant or high school counselor then you have someone that can be of great value when researching colleges or universities. A consultant or counselor has studied many schools, plus they know what to do when they need information about a specific college or university.

Students should use their high school counselor but you must understand that they may have hundreds of students that need their help just like you, so don’t expect that they can help you with the extensive application process for college. On the other hand there are private educational consultants who can devote their time and energy to you throughout your high school years and the college application process.

Other Resources:

Today there are so many other resources that students and family can use to help them. You can read books, visit websites, read magazines; you can visit your local library or your school library just to name a few of the other resources available.