There are many ways to evaluate a college to see if it's
the right fit for you; but the best way to evaluate a college is by visiting the campus
itself. The first thing you must do, before you do anything else, is to
do your research online - it’s free and you don’t need to leave home. The
College Board is a
membership association in the United States that was formed in 1900 as the
College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB). It is composed of almost 6,000
colleges and universities. It contains comparative databases on all of them.
You can evaluate every one of these 6,000 colleges and universities by
location, size, major, acceptance rate, academics, athletics, etc. After
you’ve narrowed your search down to a manageable size, you can then proceed to
the college’s own website. If you’ve already done your research and learned all
that you can from the college website, then your goal should be to capture the
mood, the vibe, and all the personal impressions and interesting facts that can
only be gained by an in person visit. There is no substitute for the personal
experience that is unique to you. The buildings and grounds, the
administration, the faculty, the students all have their own voice and
impression to leave on you. Visit the classrooms, the dorms, and the
dining halls. Talk to the administration, the faculty, and the current
students. Take photos and jot down notes. You won’t remember
everything you saw, heard, or felt; but the overall impression will help you
make a more informed decision. So, visit the campuses. It is the
best way to evaluate a college.
Last Word –
If you do end up applying to the college you already
visited, there is always a spot on the application where the question is asked,
“Have you ever visited our campus?” You will score huge points if the
answer is yes!
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