Is this college a good fit? Part 1

In the world of college admissions, we often talk about "fit," as in, is this college really a good fit  for a student.  At first glance, that may not seem like such a difficult question.  Do they have your major? Do they offer study abroad opportunities? Are classes taught by professors or TA's? Even do they have a football team?  Those question can typically be found on every "what to ask" list, and they are the questions most often answered in an information session.  But how do you really know if a school is a good fit for you?
At GPS, we encourage our students to consider that question in several different ways - academically, socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually - but how do you really know?

. Yes, a school may have your major, but what if you change your mind? How easy is it to switch from one to another? What kind of academic counseling will you receive? How soon can you start taking your major classes? Are their internships or research opportunities available to you, and how soon can you take advantage of those? What types of clubs, honorary societies, or other activities are there that relate to your major? After graduation, what have other students in the field gone on to do? Read the course catalog. It may not be scintillating, but it will describe the courses you will have to take. Do they interest you, or do they make you yawn? Does the curriculum address current issues in the field, or does it seem pretty traditional?

But these questions are still only a starting point, and sadly I would wager that many students don't go beyond this.  According to a guide published by the National Survey of Student Engagement (one we distribute to all juniors), other questions to ask include:

1. In what ways do faculty challenge students to leave their comfort zone in order to excel?
2. How often do faculty meet with students outside of class? What does the institution do to promote student-faculty contact?
3. How much writing is expected? How much reading is assigned per class? What are exams like?
4. In what ways are students given the opportunity to express themselves creatively in assignments?
5. What kind of feedback do students receive on their work, and how often?
6. How often are things learned in class discussed outside of the classroom, and in what ways do students work together on solving problems in and out of class?

Finding a college that truly fits what you need takes a lot of research.  If the admissions representative can't answer all your questions, then ask to speak with a professor in your department of interest.  Inquire about sitting in on a few classes and talk to the professor afterward if there's time.  And don't be afraid to talk to current students; they are a valuable resource.

In today's economy, it makes sense to pay more attention to the academic preparation you will receive in college, but I also realize that there's more to college than just going to class.  So tomorrow we will take a look at some of the other ways students can determine fit.  Stay tuned.