TIPS FOR PARENTS ON FINDING A COLLEGE MATCH

How can your child find colleges that match his or her needs?  First, identify priorities.  Next, carefully research the characteristics of a range of schools. Finally, match the two.  Here are some college characteristics to consider.

Size of student body:

Size will affect many of your child’s opportunities and experiences:

--range of academic majors offered

--extracurricular possibilities

--amount of personal attention your child will receive

--number of academic resources (e.g. books in the library)

In considering size, your child should look beyond the raw number of students attending. For example, perhaps she’s considering a small department within a large school.  She should investigate not just the number of faculty members, but also their accessibility to students.

Location:

Does your child want to visit home frequently, or is this a time to experience a new part of the country?  Perhaps he would like an urban environment with access to museums, ethnic food, or major league ball games.  Or maybe he hopes for easy access to the outdoors of the serenity of a small town.

 Academic programs:

 If your child knows what she wants to study, she can research the reputation of academic departments by talking to people in the fields that interest her.  If your child is undecided, as many students are, she may want to choose an academically balanced institution that offers a range of majors and programs.  Students normally don’t pick a major until their sophomore year, and those students who know their major before they go to college are very likely to change their minds.  Most colleges offer counseling to help students find a focus.

 In considering academic programs, your child should look for special opportunities and pick a school that offers a number of possibilities.

 Campus Life:

 Your child should consider what college life will be like beyond the classroom.  Students have to maintain a balance between academics, activities, and social life.  Before choosing a college, you child should learn the answers to these questions:

--What extracurricular activities, athletics, clubs, and organizations are available?

--Does the community around the college offer interesting outlets for students?

--Are students welcomed by the community?

--Is there an ethnic or religious group in which to take part?

--How do fraternities and sororities influence campus life?

--Is housing guaranteed?

--How are dorms assigned?

 Cost:

 In considering cost, look beyond the price tag.  For most students, today’s college costs make finances an important consideration.  At the same time, most colleges work to ensure that academically qualified students from every economic circumstance can find financial aid that allows them to attend.

  Diversity:

 Your child should explore what she might gain from a diverse student body.  The geographic, ethnic, racial, and religious diversity of the students can help students learn more about the world.  Investigate which student organizations or other groups with ethnic or religious foundations are active and visible on campus.

  Retention and graduation rates:

 One of the best ways to measure a school’s quality and the satisfaction of its students is to learn the percentage of students who return after the first year and the percentage of entering students who go on to graduate.  Comparatively good retention and graduation rates indicate that responsible academic, social, and financial support systems exist for most students.