How You Should Judge Colleges: What Are My Sources of Information About Colleges?

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Private universities offer more courses and smaller classes than do public
universities.

State universities are a much better value; save your money for
graduate school.

The hot school this year is _____________; you should apply there!

I’ve never heard of that college; you should apply to a “name” college.

Everyone has an opinion on where you should go to college, from your Aunt Debbie to your mother’s hairdresser to your father’s accountant. Who do you listen to and where do you get reliable information about potential colleges?

What Are My Sources of Information About Colleges?

There are many sources of information about colleges, and very few are neutral or objective. Colleges try to get your attention with glossy brochures, cool Web sites, enticing letters, and free stuff (T-shirts, pens, and other freebies). Parents, family members, and friends sometimes have their own agenda, such as convincing you to attend a university with a known name or to go to a college they attended. Many students and parents are swayed by college guides and college rankings (published ratings of colleges), of which there are many.

The following sources can be used to obtain information about colleges:

• Family Members: Family members have a wealth of knowledge and opinions on the subject of where you should go to college. Aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives come out of the woodwork to offer unsolicited advice. Their advice may be based on personal experiences, rumors, and what they’ve read or heard in the media. Some advice may be legitimate, some may not. Remember, what is best for one relative may not be best for you. You should absolutely listen to your parents, as they know you better than anyone. You should also have a frank discussion with your parents regarding how much they can afford to pay for college as well as other parameters they want you to consider while conducting your college search.

Helicopter Parents:  Parents can and should offer assistance during the college admissions process, but, again, too much assistance is not wise either. The term “helicopter parent” has been coined to refer to parents who are too involved in the college admissions process, from writing essays to excessively calling guidance counselors to talking nonstop on campus visits to tour guides and admissions counselors. This term can carry over into the student’s first year, referring to parents who call too much, give too much advice, and create too much dependency on the part of the student.

• Guidance Counselors: Your high school guidance counselor can be a valuable ally and resource during the process. Guidance counselors can direct you to legitimate sources or information and may also have vital information you may not have access to, so definitely try to pick his or her brain. Keep in mind that many counselors have caseloads of 250+ students, so sometimes their time is limited. Most students meet with their counselor and one or both parents in the spring of their junior year, in meetings that generally last one to two periods. Check the resources available in your counselor’s office for postings about open houses, visits from college representatives, scholarships, financial aid, and other information.
• Teachers: Teachers can be a wonderful resource for information about colleges. Always ask your teachers where they went to school, as you may find an alumnus from a college you are interested in attending. They may tell you about a college you never heard of that might be a viable option for you.
• Friends/Peers: Friends and peers are another important source of information for you. Sharing information you have gained about colleges is of benefit to everyone. Siblings of your friends may currently be attending a school you are interested in, and you could attend classes with them when you make a campus visit. Again, some of the information you hear may not be 100 percent accurate, so keep that in mind.
• College Web Sites: College Web sites are an invaluable tool for gathering information about colleges you are considering. On a college Web site, you can view the campus, look at dorm rooms, examine the curriculum of academic programs, look at scholarships, costs, and financial aid information, and see what clubs and activities are offered. You can also check into core requirements or general education requirements you have to take once you enroll in college. Many students neglect to check these requirements and then they are surprised when they have to take foreign language classes, a physical education class, math, or another subject they didn’t want to take in college. Some colleges are very loose on required courses and others have heavy- duty core requirements.

A great search tool to use on a college’s Web site is its “Common Data Set,” which gives you access to a wide range of information, including what factors they use in admissions, what majors students apply to, how many students are offered waitlist positions, and much other useful data. To obtain the information contained in this important tool, search for “Common Data Set” in the college’s search field. A more streamlined place to access important admissions information is the “Freshman Profile” or “Entering Class Profile.” Here you find the average GPA for accepted students, the middle 50 percent of SAT/ACT scores, the number of students who were admitted, and other useful information. A college’s Web site is the first place to look for specific information about a college, followed by a campus tour.

• Campus Visits: Taking a tour of campus is one of the best ways to determine which college is right for you. If at all possible, visit campuses before you apply. Chapter 4 is devoted exclusively to campus visits and how to make the most out of your trip.
• College Fairs: College fairs are a fun and easy way to explore many different colleges at one time. Some are sponsored by the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC), others by regional counseling groups, consortiums of several high schools in your area, or college fairs conducted by your own high school. College fairs can open your eyes to colleges you might not have previously considered, so keep an open mind at these fairs. You can talk to college representatives, put your name on a mailing list, and obtain phone numbers and e-mails from college representatives to ask futher questions. One tip is to bring preprinted mailing labels with your name, address, and e-mail address, so you don’t have to fill out individual requests for more information. It is never too early to attend college fairs, as they give you access to many colleges in one shot—and it’s a good way to obtain freebies (pens, mugs, banners) and promotional materials from colleges.
• College Guides: There are many college guides on the market. Some guides are written by the College Board, Princeton Review, Peterson’s, Kaplan, and other companies, and some are distributed by independent counselors and professional writers. The information in these books is based on input from surveys of college admissions directors or college students, or from objective or subjective research. My personal favorites are Fiske’s Guide to Colleges (Sourcebooks, Inc., 2008) and Rugg’s Recommendations on The Colleges (Rugg’s Recommendations, 2008). Rugg’s enables you to search for colleges by major. College guide books can assist you in looking at basic information, such as size, location, cost, deadlines, and what majors are offered. They can be very useful, but don’t base your impressions about colleges solely on these books.
• College Rankings: As long as you don’t take them too seriously and you read everything carefully, college rankings can be another source of information about colleges. The most famous college rankings list is published yearly in late summer by US News & World Report. Other published rankings include Kiplingers, Forbes, and Business Week. College rankings can be helpful, but they can also be misleading. Parents are generally impressed and rely heavily on these rankings, whereas guidance counselors are usually not so impressed because some of the indicators used to determine the rankings can be manipulated. Many colleges like to see their ranking position move up each year, so they spend a lot of time and money to ensure that their college is highly ranked. Other colleges have decided not to participate in the survey which is used to determine the rankings, because some of the indicators used to compose the rankings are based on how much money alumni give, SAT/ACT scores, and other factors which can be manipulated. A well-regarded book on the subject of rankings (or antirankings) is College Unranked: Ending the College Admissions Frenzy (Harvard University Press, 2005), edited by Lloyd Thacker of the Education Conservancy.
• Visits by College Representatives: Some high schools invite admissions counselors from colleges that are popular with their students to visit the high school. You usually need to sign up in advance to attend these sessions, which are very beneficial. You can sometimes meet the person who will be reading your application, so it is a good idea to introduce yourself after the session and let the person know you are interested in their college. You can ask questions in an informal setting and get their contact information, so you can keep in touch with them during the application process. Many admissions counselors do in fact remember students they have met in visits to high schools, so definitely take advantage of this important opportunity.
• College Mailings: You may be receiving mail from colleges you have never heard of and are wondering where all of the mail from various colleges is coming from. If you answered “yes” on the PSAT, SAT, or ACT registration forms or answer sheets to receive mailings, this is why you are getting all this mail. If you haven’t yet filled out the registration forms or boxes, and don’t want to be inundated with mail, simply check “no.”
• Previous Graduates from Your High School: Previous graduates of your high school often have “the real dirt” about college campuses, as long as you trust the source of the information. Many high schools invite graduates back during winter break to share stories and experiences about their freshman year, which can be very helpful to you. If your high school does not do this, you should ask them to do so.

TIP: The information overload during the college admissions process can be overwhelming at times. There is a lot of information out there, but not all of it is accurate. It is your job to research and carefully consider all sources of information during your college search.