College Search Guidelines
Before you can choose the college that's right for you, you must do some self reflection. Below are some questions you should think about to help narrow down your college search. I've also included some resources you can use to help in the self reflection process.
Get to know yourself!
Get to know what you want from a college. Consider the following...
Thinking about your answers to these questions is a great starting point. If you want a more in-depth assessment about choosing the right college for YOU, then contact your school counselor.
Get to know yourself!
- What are you interested in?
- What kinds of things are you good at? Bad?
- What skills do possess?
- What is your learning style?
- How much interaction with teachers do you need/like?
Get to know what you want from a college. Consider the following...
- Type: Public vs private; Religious affiliation vs no religious affiliation; Coed vs single-sex; etc.
- Size: Big, medium, small
- Location: In state vs out of state; Close to home vs far from home; West coast vs east coast; etc.
- Cost and Tuition
- Academics: Do they offer the program you want to study?
- Setting: Rural, city, suburban
Thinking about your answers to these questions is a great starting point. If you want a more in-depth assessment about choosing the right college for YOU, then contact your school counselor.
Click here for a short step-by-step questionnaire that will help you identify some of your college preferences.
So, I know what I prefer in a college. What do I do next?
Below I have listed several ways you can begin your college search process. The process takes time so it's best to start early. As always, contact your school counselor if you have questions.
1. College Fairs
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College Fairs provide access to numerous colleges in one place and at one time. Colleges from across the U.S set up booths containing information about their schools. Students can travel from booth to booth to discuss information and ask questions to each college that interests them. All types of colleges, including private, public, religious, non-religious, big, small, etc. attend these fairs.
Tips for college fairs:
Before You Go
NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) is one organization that travels to major cities across the U.S. They come to the Ann/Arbor Detroit area twice a year!
Tips for college fairs:
Before You Go
- Register ahead of time
- Find out which colleges will be at the fair (a list may be posted on the fair’s website) and write down the names of the ones you want to learn about.
- Make a list of any questions you have.
- Bring your list, a pen, paper and a bag to hold college brochures.
- Make sure the email address that you give out won’t embarrass you — remember, college admission officers will see it.
- Get a map of the fair and plan a route that will take you to the booths of all the colleges on your list. If there is no map available, do a quick survey of the room to locate your colleges.
- Visit booths and ask college representatives questions.
- Take a minute to jot down any information you think is important before moving on to the next booth.
- Check out some of the other booths when you’re done with the colleges on your list. You may stumble onto a great college you hadn't considered.
- Attend an information session, if any are offered. Typical topics include applications and financial aid. These sessions are good opportunities to get expert advice.
- Ask yourself which colleges stood out and why.
- Organize the college material you collected and review it that week while it’s fresh in your mind.
- Go over any notes you took during the fair.
- Throw out the pamphlets of colleges you’ve ruled out so you can focus on the colleges you’re interested in.
- Do more research on the colleges you’re thinking about. Explore websites, contact the admission office or plan a campus visit. If you liked what you saw at the fair, it may be time to see the college in person.
NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) is one organization that travels to major cities across the U.S. They come to the Ann/Arbor Detroit area twice a year!
- NACAC Spring and Fall College Fair Dates
- List of Colleges attending NACAC College fair
- Visit www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/pages/default.aspx for more information on the NACAC College Fair
2. College Search Websites
There are tons of ways to search and learn about colleges! I would encourage you to use some of the websites I've provided below to search for colleges. You already know about the colleges close to home or the ones your parents/brothers and sisters attended, so use these websites to explore colleges that fit your needs!
There are many other search websites out there, but I find these the most user-friendly and engaging. Feel free to use other websites and let me know if you find one you really like!
- Petersons: This is one of the best college search websites as it matches colleges to different parameters that you set.
- College Board: Another great search tool that allows you to match colleges to your specific needs and desires.
- College View: Additional preferences to base college search off of like disability services, LGBT friendly, religious affiliations, and college scene. It also allows you to choose the importance of each parameter. Videos of campuses are also available.
- College Navigator: The same thing goes for this website. In addition, it provides detailed information about costs and affordability of schools-you can even search for schools by this criteria.
There are many other search websites out there, but I find these the most user-friendly and engaging. Feel free to use other websites and let me know if you find one you really like!
3. College Tours
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VISIT THE COLLEGES YOU ARE CONSIDERING! There should be no if, and's, or but's about it. You will be spending four+ years at the college you choose so checking it out first hand is important. You want to get a feel for what the campus is like and what the people are like.
It's best to go to the college campus for the colleges you are seriously considering. Nothing beats experiencing the campus first hand. However, sometimes you aren't able to travel to all college campuses or you want to get an idea of the campus before taking your first visit. If this is your case, look below for how to visit a campus virtually!
It's best to go to the college campus for the colleges you are seriously considering. Nothing beats experiencing the campus first hand. However, sometimes you aren't able to travel to all college campuses or you want to get an idea of the campus before taking your first visit. If this is your case, look below for how to visit a campus virtually!
- Always visit the school's website. They often have virtual maps and virtual tours available directly on their website.
- www.ecampustours.com allows you to look at parts of campus for a wide variety of colleges. This website also provides basic information on the school you're interested.
4. Michigan College Access Portal (MCAP)
MCAP is an interactive website you can use to keep yourself organized in the college search and application process. I recommend that you register (it's free) for a profile your freshman year, and use the tools and features throughout your high school career. Here are some of the things you can do when you create a profile:
- Learn basic information about the colleges you're interested in
- Save the colleges you like and compare them to other colleges
There's so much more you can do on this website (www.michigancap.org). Talk with your parents and register for an account together. This is meant to be a one stop shop for you to find and organize information. I recommend visiting other websites for information and talking with your school counselor, but this is a great first step in learning about yourself, your future, and how to prepare for college.
- Colleges
- Learn basic information about the colleges you're interested in
- Save the colleges you like and compare them to other colleges
- Planning
- Get to know yourself- assessments to help you identify important factors about yourself (skills, interests, values, etc)
- Explore Careers
- Learn about the different admissions tests
- Portfolio
- Manage important documents you'll need for school like your resume, letter of purpose, and letters of recommendations!
- Keep track of important people you've met like admissions representatives, coaches, or students who attend the school you're considering.
- Paying for College
- Learn about financial aid
- Find scholarships
- Manage scholarship lists of ones you need/want to apply for
- Use the college/loan cost estimator
There's so much more you can do on this website (www.michigancap.org). Talk with your parents and register for an account together. This is meant to be a one stop shop for you to find and organize information. I recommend visiting other websites for information and talking with your school counselor, but this is a great first step in learning about yourself, your future, and how to prepare for college.
5. Michigan College Access Network
Do you come from a low-income family? Would you be the first person to attend college in your family? Are you a minority race?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you're in the right place. You can go to college, and I've provided some resources below to help you get started on your journey.
The Michigan College Access Network is designed to help students like you get to college and feel confident along the way. Check out the websites below to hear about stories of students like you making it to college, to learn how you can get there, and to learn about the opportunities that await you based on your situation.
ItsMILife
KnowHow2Go
I'm First!
Do you have a disability?
Check out this website, and this one too!
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you're in the right place. You can go to college, and I've provided some resources below to help you get started on your journey.
The Michigan College Access Network is designed to help students like you get to college and feel confident along the way. Check out the websites below to hear about stories of students like you making it to college, to learn how you can get there, and to learn about the opportunities that await you based on your situation.
ItsMILife
KnowHow2Go
I'm First!
Do you have a disability?
Check out this website, and this one too!
Resources:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges/how-to-find-your-college-fit/college-fair-checklist
http://www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/students-parents/Pages/default.aspx
www.ecampustours.com
www.michigancap.org
www.micollegeaccess.org
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges/how-to-find-your-college-fit/college-fair-checklist
http://www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/students-parents/Pages/default.aspx
www.ecampustours.com
www.michigancap.org
www.micollegeaccess.org