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Finding the right college is one of the most important and complicated decisions students can make in high school. The course of their academic and professional career can vary wildly depending on the university they choose to attend. On top of the weight of that decision, weighing the options can also be a challenge in and of itself. 

Which schools should one consider? How does one make a list? What goes into researching a school and learning whether or not it aligns with one's career plans? 

To answer these questions, we recommend breaking the process up into three separate categories:

• Creating a balanced school list
• Finding the best fit among these schools
• Aligning those choices with goals and career paths 

1. Creating a Balanced School List

Before deciding which schools to apply to, it's essential to research and learn about all the schools out there. Even among Ivy League schools, there is a lot of variety between them, and students can end up favoring a school they may never have thought of applying to before they learned more about it. 

This is why it's best to create a balanced list of schools—a healthy mix of reach schools, match schools, and safety schools. A list of schools that are too competitive may leave the student with few options for acceptance, while a list that's too safe may have students missing out on better opportunities. 

     Reach Schools

Reach schools are the dream schools, the ones that are at the top of the list—the most ambitious and competitive. Schools that fall into this category are often beyond the initial scope of a student's qualifications, but they are there to have a high mark to reach for. 

Generally, reach schools will have an acceptance rate of below 15% – 20%, and we recommend that around 50% of a student's school list be composed of reach schools. So, for a list of 10 schools, five should have an acceptance rate below 15% – 20%. 

     Match Schools

Match schools, or "target" schools, are where your academic credentials fall within the school's averages. They're the schools students would be happy to attend and have a decent chance of getting accepted. These schools have an acceptance rate between 15% – 35%. 

We recommend that 20 – 30% of the school list be made of match schools and that students are reasonably confident of their chances at acceptance. 

     Safety Schools

These schools are the safety net. For these schools, the student's qualifications will well exceed the requirements for the average freshman, and students can be virtually sure that they'll be accepted in these schools. Because of the nature of college admissions, especially for the top schools, there is no 100% guarantee of admission into any school. Still, the safety schools provide a safe foundation just in case all else fails. 

Safety schools typically have an acceptance rate exceeding 35%. For a student's school list, 20% – 30% should be safety schools. 

2. Finding the Best Fits

Once one has the formula for their school list and pulled databases of college acceptance rates, one must choose which schools will go on the list. While filling a list with as many schools as possible may be tempting, one must remember that for the best chance at acceptance, a student's application must be tailor-made for each school. 

So, students must be selective in their own right and only put schools on their list that they would be happy to attend but also have the proper time to dedicate to each application. 

Narrowing the list can be time-consuming, so starting early and seeking the proper resources is critical to saving time and effort. InGenius Prep specializes in college admissions counseling and can offer expert guidance on this process. But, as a starting point, researching the school, visiting the campus, and reaching out to schools' counselors and alumni will give applicants the information they need to narrow down the school they plan to apply for. 

     Research

Deciding whether to add a school to your list begins with researching some basic information about that school: information such as the courses that it offers, the reputation of the faculty and the ratio of faculty to students, the school's graduation rates, tuition costs, rate of enrollment, default, & retention, among other factors. 

Initial research will give you an overview of the school and a sense of whether or not it's a good fit. For this section, it's good to have baselines for what you're looking for in a school—aspects such as location, cost, notable programs, and the school's values and mission statements. 

     Personality Fit 

A somewhat disregarded aspect of colleges is the "personality." Each school will have a unique culture and environment some students may be drawn towards while others may not. Things like campus life, the size of the school, and what the institution prioritizes all contribute to a school's personality. 

Students from a smaller high school who prefer a more intimate environment may be interested in attending a liberal arts college. Others who desire a more exciting place with plenty of room to grow may choose a larger school in a more metropolitan area. 

In a recent episode of our podcast, Kathryn Scherer, our Director of Undergraduate Services at InGenius Prep, shares some tips on school personalities and finding schools that fit. "You can find out a lot about a college's overall personality just by looking at the front page of their website and seeing the things that are prioritized... What things are being displayed in pictures—maybe there are videos, maybe they have some institutional priorities right there." To hear more about school personalities and tips about applying for college in the new year, listen to episode 84 of our podcast, Starting 2024 Off Strong: Our Advice to Students.

     Campus Visits 

Campus visits are another great way to get a sense of a school and learn firsthand about its campus and faculty. However, depending on the time and location, this step can be costly in time and effort—especially if you plan on visiting multiple schools. For this reason, we recommend campus visits after having already narrowed down the list and only visiting the schools you know you have a strong chance at applying for. 

Campus visits offer great insight into a school. It's the time to get a feel for the school's environment, culture, and community in a way that cannot be done purely through online research. Speaking with students, counselors, and administrators is also a great way to gain valuable insight into the school from the people who are already there. Many schools also offer campus tours specifically for those wanting to learn more about the college—a valuable asset for anyone looking to apply. 

For more information on what to do during a campus visit, read our blog, College Visits: 21 Tips to Capitalize on Your Trip to Campus.

3. To Align Career Plans

One of the most critical aspects of finding the right school is learning whether that school ultimately aligns with your career path and your goals for the future. On top of aspects such as campus personality, acceptance rates, and academic qualifications, top schools often specialize in or have a reputation for specific programs. Depending on a student's career goals, they may prefer one school over another. Medical students, for example, will prefer a school with a robust pre-med program. 

Even if a school ranks lower than others on paper, if that school has a strong program in the field you wish to study, then that school will often be the better choice. Making this decision not only requires knowing your own goals and ambitions for the future, but it also requires knowing the schools' curriculum, their prospects for employment and internships, and the results students get from attending that school—all of which are great things to ask about during the research phase or campus visit. 

     Curriculum

Part of your research should go into learning about the school's curriculum. Those wishing to study a particular subject should look at how a school teaches that subject. What courses are offered? Who are the instructors? How many students graduate from that program and find success afterward? 

For medical students who wish to take a fast track on their college education, some schools offer BS/MD programs—combined degree programs where students can earn their Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree simultaneously. Brown University also has an "Open Curriculum" program unique to their school where students develop their own course of study with the freedom to discover their own paths. 

If a student is set on a specific career path or wants to know more about the school's unique programs, looking at their curriculum is one of the key ways to determine if a school should go on their list. 

     Extracurriculars, Internships, and Programs

In addition to curriculum, many schools also offer resources to help support students' interests. This can take the form of programs, extracurriculars, or internships designed to give students an advantage when applying for the workforce or to pursue their interests beyond academia. 

For example, Duke University offers its DukeEngage program—an eight-week program where students are placed in communities worldwide to help develop solutions and make lasting change. Schools may also offer other special programs related to a student's interest, as well as networking opportunities for students to get ahead in their industry. 

Many of these programs and resources may not be immediately apparent, so students and parents should ask about what different opportunities a school has for specific career paths to counselors, faculty, and other students when given a chance during times like campus tours or counseling calls. 

     Results

Finally, look at the school's results. What percentage of that school's graduates find employment in their chosen field? What do alumni say about the school? And what prospects are there for students who obtain their degrees? 

This is an excellent opportunity to think about your goals beyond university. If some students or alumni are currently in the position you wish to be in one day, you can reach out to them or reverse engineer their trajectory to find the best path for you in this school. 

Finding Guidance with InGenius Prep

In navigating the intricate landscape of college admissions, students often find themselves confronted with a myriad of choices and uncertainties. From crafting a balanced school list to identifying the best-fit institutions and aligning academic aspirations with career goals, the journey to finding the right university can be both daunting and exhilarating. 

For more guidance on the college application process, with strategies and expert counseling, InGenius Prep offers programs to give your student the best chance at acceptance into their reach schools and beyond. With a team of experienced mentors and former college admissions officers, InGenius Prep offers personalized guidance and counseling tailored to each student's unique needs and aspirations. 

Schedule a free strategy meeting with one of our counseling professionals today to learn more!