The Ultimate Guide: How To Do College Research?
The number of Indian/NRI Students migrating to different locations is increasing day-by-day. And for these Indian/NRI Students, all colleges seem the same. They usually try to find college with good financial aid or maybe the fees is low or maybe they do not understand how to look out for a college in different countries. This guide will help you sort these challenges out.
College Research: Step by Step Guide
Below is the four step process which if followed can help you create a list of colleges that meets your requirements:
Step #1: Identify Your Priorities and Preferences
You should start by making a list of what you want when it comes to your college experience. Basically, whether you want a modern school or something that’s convenient. Let’s divide these factors in two different types:
Primary Factors
#1: Location
If the school is far away then it may add up to the cost. However, an in-state college or school can hamper your college experience as you’d be dependent on your family and close friends for everything. Hence, it’s a decision to make whether to be at a rural school or an urban school.
#2: Size
Different sizes of colleges have different vibes. Small colleges will give you more personalized experience. However, large colleges will give you competition and will urge you to push your limits over to the edge.
#3: Academics
Academics is surely one of most primary and important factors to look out for. If you main goal is primarily to learn stuff, you must check how serious of an academic environment are you looking for? What types of programs does school offer? If you have any ideas about your potential major, keep that in mind too.
#4: Cost
Focus your search on schools that offer generous financial aid and merit scholarships. However, if you really love a school then cost is a factor you should surely look out for but if it’s workable through financial aid, then you should go there. You can also investigate colleges with no application fees.
Secondary Factors
#1: Social Scene
Social scene definitely a secondary factor, but this helps you mould your personality.
#2: Housing
Schools may offer more or less variety in housing, so this is definitely worth considering. Urban schools may offer you with hostel facilities whereas rural schools may have fewer options for living off campus.
#3: Extracurriculars
Extracurriculars provide a social outlet to a student outside of party and classes scene. They can help a student to be aware about the surroundings.
#4: Athletics
If you are someone who comes from a sports background or you have interest in picking up a sport during your college term, you should look out for college’s involvement in different activities. How do they promote their sports as well.
Step #2: Schools Search Using an Online College Finder
Once you have made a list of your preferences, next step would be to update these details on an online college finder tool and let the internet find you a list of colleges for you.
There are various different college finder options like College Navigator, Cappex, etc., which you can use to search your dream college. Both tools have a feature, where you can add the colleges to your “favourites”.
One additional feature that Cappex tool has is that it links the college application pages linked to colleges. Hence, if you have shortlisted some college, you can straight out apply it from Cappex.
Step #3: Consider Admissions Chances and Reputation
Post you have a general list of colleges ready through the college finder tool, next step is to check for your eligibility to apply to that school. It is always advisable to apply to schools that have a competitive GPA score when compared to your score. Though the sites I mentioned above may give you statistics for a school's average test scores and GPA, it’s difficult to understand your chances of admission just by looking at statistics. Additional research is recommended in all cases.
Step #4: Final List
By this time you would have had a list of colleges ready which match your criteria. Indian NRI Students, this is the time when you sit back and tweak you list to have a perfect balance of different options.
It is always advisable to have a combination of reach, likely and safety category of colleges on your list. And you must at least try to apply 2-3 colleges from each category. Usually the it should be two probable and one sure admission option.
This might get overwhelming due to the application fees and supplemental essay, you can drop out some colleges from your list.
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