When it comes to college applications, research is your secret weapon. At Marks Education, we’ve guided hundreds of students through their college applications and know firsthand how valuable quality research is to not only making an informed college decision but also in writing essays that help you stand out in a sea of other applicants. Looking for some tips that will help you start your college research off on the right foot? Keep reading!
How to Start
Despite what you may be thinking, effective college research should start off with a dose of honest self-reflection. Before you jump into college websites and brochures, take a few minutes to consider what academic subjects interest you, how you best learn, and what matters to you most– and don’t just stick with academic considerations! We urge students to also think about extracurriculars they’d be interested in joining, where they hope to live, and environments where they’ve thrived in the past. This helps build a more holistic image of how you see your college years taking place.
After you’ve spent some time reflecting on your goals and interests, it’s great to get into some of the more logistics-based college information. There is no sense wasting time down the college campus rabbit hole and exploring programs if the college’s most basic assets don’t interest you. Look at class sizes, undergraduate enrollment, location, resident life, etc., to gain an overview of the school. If you’re satisfied, then you should dive deeper into their programs.
A word of advice? While ranking and statistics have their own place in college research, they’re only telling you part of the story. More meaningful metrics to consider in their place would be graduation rates– which reveal how many students actually complete their degrees in 4 to 6 years, career outcomes, financial aid generosity, the average debt of graduating classes, faculty to student ratios, research opportunities as well as their accessibility to undergraduates, and study abroad participation. These details often reveal far more meaningful information about the actual student experience than the simple ranking of a number ever could, and you can learn more about where to find this information through our blog on the Common Data Set!
Doing the Work
All college websites include happy pictures of students enjoying themselves on campus. However, savvy researchers know how to look deeper than the surface level. By looking at course catalogs, program requirements, and experiences offered through your intended major and beyond, you can gain a real sense of the school and its rigor. One thing we tend to recommend is that students read the bios of professors in your intended field of study– not only can this often provide great reading recommendations, but it can also show you what opportunities for mentorship are available at X school.
There are also many undercover ways that you can assess a specific school’s social fit. School newspapers, bulletin boards, or social media pages, for example, are great ways to gain an unfiltered sense of the campus personality and what they’re saying about on and off-campus issues. Online communities can offer honest discussions about specific programs or aspects of student life that you couldn’t learn about on a tour or college website.
While nothing replaces experiencing a campus firsthand, if touring a school isn’t an option, it’s great to see what virtual options the school has in place. After the pandemic, many schools started to utilize virtual tours as a way to reach students who couldn’t be there in person. However, if you are lucky enough to visit, we encourage you to find ways outside of the tour to learn about campus; try to find a way to sit in on a class in your intended major, eat from the dining halls, or, if possible, even stay in the dorms!
Organization
Remember that organization is also key to effective college research. We recommend finding a system that works for you to track your research. Whether kept in a physical notebook, Google Doc, or other tracking metric, be sure that you’re recording the most important and relevant information, as later on, this will help you piece together your application essays and ensure you’ve built a comprehensive college list.
Looking for more information on how you can do great college research? Check out these blogs:
Conclusion
The college application and research process is ultimately about identifying places where you’ll grow, thrive, and prepare for your future. Rankings and prestige matter far less than whether a college offers the right environment for your development; and there are many ways to find out if a school is right for you before applying.
At Marks Education, we’re committed to helping students navigate this process with confidence. Looking for expert guidance in your college search? Check out our counseling packages, and learn what to expect in a college counseling session for more!
