Find your fit.
Last week, we launched our inaugural social media campaign featuring students sharing what they love about their colleges. We heard from enthusiastic students from around the country at different schools - which ranged in size, location, programming, and selectivity. Though all of the students and their experiences were unique, a theme that resonated between the posts was the students’ appreciation for their school’s sense of community: they all felt academically and socially supported on their campus of choice.
Helping students find the school that offers everything they are seeking is at the heart of everything we do. We emphasize the importance of finding the best fit college for each student. As certified independent educational consultants (IECs), we guide our students through the self-discovery and research necessary to develop a balanced list of colleges.
What will your preferences include? What are you seeking on your future campus? What do you not want out of your college experience? We will help you answer those (and many other) questions as we empower you to find the best school for you.
Here are some suggestions about how to begin your college research:
Start with what you know, or rather, who you know – where are recent grads from your school attending college? DM or send them a Snap asking about their experience and what they love about their school. Don’t be afraid to ask what frustrates them, too.
Visit websites of schools you’re interested in and start to generate a list of the factors that appeal to you. Consider geographic location, majors or programs offered, size of the campus, and environmental attributes, such as sports, social life, weather, diversity of the campus, the political atmosphere, etc.
Follow schools you like on social media, as well as any subsets of the student population that interest you, such as sports teams, performing arts programs, academic departments, or clubs. Check out residence halls or student YouTube channels to see dorm tours or a day in the life videos from current students.
Put on your most comfortable sweats or pajamas, pop some popcorn, and watch a college tour in the comfort of your own home. Check out the pandemic inspired robust virtual tours offered on so many schools’ websites.
Take advantage of all the resources available through your school counselor’s office. Ask if college admissions representatives are coming to your school. Look online to see if there are any virtual or in person college fairs.
Discovering schools you are enthusiastic about can transform anxiety into excitement about the college planning process. Once you determine some of the factors you like about those initial colleges, CuratedU can help you develop a list based on your preferences. We are here to support you during every step of this process.
