Lenitus

Mim L. Runey of Johnson & Wales University explains how finding that perfect fit may not be as difficult as you think. It is just a matter of keeping a few basic questions in mind as you examine potential colleges.

Tip Sheet | 5 Ways To Find Your College Fit - NYTimes.com

Fidget

Spot on. Put check boxes in front of those items and distribute them to all high school juniors, and their families.

Philovitist

It seems pretty basic and not at all an original piece.

Time2

Maybe those who were SO engrossed in the college ranking debate last week should read that article.

emberjed

I don't think it's wrong to value a college's rankings in your own esteem of it as applied to yourself. Many people - me unapologetically included - value learning environments full of the kinds of people who work hard to get into good colleges. It just shouldn'thave the final say in whether a school is good for a given student or not. That said, I think even the creators of the rankings and authority figures in highly ranking schools know this, and they're not always as secretive about it as you might think.

taxguy

The article left out one major factor: Can I get admitted?

stringkeymom

I think it left out quite a bit more than that, e.g. quality of education, actual fit, quality of faculty, extracurriculars, etc. etc. etc.

NJSue

There are colleges that spend more on landscaping and dorm amenities than on library collections or technology resources. "How a school looks" is not a proxy for quality in any way.

The author is from Johnson and Wales, a vocationally oriented school. Someone who wants a more intellectual experience, or wishes to prepare for the traditional professions (medicine, law), would be interested in a different set of criteria.

mamtakumari683

1.Placement
2. professor
3.garden
4.university
5.friends

Time2

Actually.....'is it affordable?' is the first point of the article referenced above. Unless your family has unlimited college funds, that should be an esstential factor when choosing a college.

billupsj

Oh please. "How does it look" and "how does it feel"? That is 101 for what not to look for. The authors are stuck in the 90s. #1 is spot on, but hardly original. Great teachers are #2. Excellent career guidance and help is #3. There is no #4 or #5.

henhao71

Seems basic agreed.
I think looking at if professors are "good" is silly- there will be good and junky profs everywhere

hylyfe

1. Can I get in?
2. Can I afford it
3. Can I afford it
4. Can I afford it
5. Can I afford it

jsk4ever

Actually, how a campus feels can be extremely important. I had a list of colleges I visited over the summer, and there were some that I was really excited about based on the brochures and websites. When I went to actually visit them though, I was really disappointed with some because it just didn't feel right. The campus was beautiful and facilities were great, but something in my gut told me that this place wasn't it. That's why I think it's actually pretty important to go see a campus before hand and see what it feels like.

SerenityJade

The logic is that a good school will look good. A bad school could look good but that's why you have the other criteria. A badly kept school likely won't be the best.

And the "How does it feel?" is a big deal whether it's on a student's checklist or not. Most won't go to a school that makes them feel uncomfortable. I want to go to the school that makes me feel at home. One that makes me excited like I just want to be there. I found that. Some students don't. They either get through it a bit uncomfortable or they transfer. Sometimes multiple times. Nobody should have to do that.