This blog post is about how to choose the right college for you.
Trying to figure out how to choose the right college for you? In this post, I’ll walk you through how to make the best choice based on your academics. I’ll walk you through the key academic factors that should guide your college search, empowering you to make a confident decision — whether you’re building your college list or narrowing it down to your final choice. Keep your list manageable, ideally applying to no more than 10 schools.
A lot of people don’t know how to start when picking which colleges to apply to — especially for my first-generation folks who may also be the first person in their family to even fill out a college application. You don’t have to apply to over 15 colleges — I actually suggest that you don’t. Submitting too many applications can waste your time and money when, in the end, you’re only going to attend one. While it’s great to have options, ask yourself: do you really want to apply to a college just because your best friend is, or because their mom told them to? It’s time to learn how to choose the right college for you — your academic needs, goals, and learning style.
When choosing which colleges to apply to, you want to apply to schools you genuinely like and would attend. Be strategic and apply to schools that you are academically qualified for. As a first-generation college student, I didn’t really understand that schools have different priorities and different levels of competitiveness. But now that I have navigated the college process, I want to share what I wish I knew earlier.
The Goal
The goal of this post is to help you identify 7-10 colleges to add to your application list, ensuring a well-balanced mix of safety, match, and stretch schools.
- Safety Schools: These are schools where you are highly likely to be admitted based on your academic qualifications and other factors. Applying to a safety school provides a backup option where you are confident in being accepted.
- Match Schools: These schools are a good fit for you based on your grades, test scores, and interests. You have a strong chance of being admitted, but it’s not guaranteed. Match schools should align well with your academic profile and personal preferences.
- Stretch Schools: These are schools that may be a bit more competitive, with higher academic standards or selectivity than your match schools. Applying to a stretch school pushes you to aim high, but there’s also a risk of rejection. It’s important to apply to a few stretch schools to challenge yourself and broaden your options.
By carefully selecting schools from each category, you’ll ensure that you have a diverse range of options to consider, maximizing your chances of finding the right fit for you.
While it’s important to have a variety, you’ll want to focus on having more match schools than any other category. Match schools are where you are most likely to be admitted based on your academic qualifications, interests, and overall profile. They should make up the bulk of your list because they offer a high chance of acceptance while still aligning with your personal goals and preferences.
By focusing more on match schools, you’ll increase your chances of being admitted to a college that fits both your academic profile and personal preferences, giving you more confidence as you move through the application process.
Before we get started, I’d like to introduce you to a valuable tool that will help you find accurate and unbiased data on colleges and universities in the U.S. It’s called College Navigator, and you can access it for free at https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/.
College Navigator is an official tool from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), which is part of the U.S. Department of Education. This website provides detailed and reliable information about schools; data information ranges from tuition and fees, admission requirements, graduation rates, and more! I highly recommend using this tool to help you choose the right college for you.
Let’s start off with your test scores and GPA. One of the most important things to understand when building your college list is that it’s essential to know your own GPA and test scores to compare them with those of students who were admitted to different colleges.
For example, the average GPA and test scores of students admitted to UCLA will likely be higher than those at Arizona State University (ASU), since UCLA is a more competitive school. This is where the College Navigator tool comes in handy.
By using College Navigator, you can easily access the average GPAs and test scores of students admitted to various colleges. This allows you to compare your academic performance with those of students who were accepted into your schools of interest. It gives you a clearer idea of where you might fall in terms of your academic fit and whether your application is competitive for those schools.
Why is this important?
- Schools that are reach schools (or “stretch schools”) may have higher GPA and test score averages, so you’ll want to assess whether you are within range or if it might be a long shot.
- Schools that are a match will have averages that align more closely with your GPA and test scores, meaning you have a better chance of getting accepted.
- Safety schools are typically those where your GPA and test scores are above the average of admitted students, making it more likely that you will be accepted.
Knowing where you stand academically in relation to a school’s typical admitted student will help you strategically choose where to apply, balancing both challenge and reality.
Now, let’s move on to graduation rates. A key factor in determining whether a college is a good fit for you is understanding how many students graduate within four years. This can tell you a lot about the institution’s ability to support its students through their academic journey.
Some colleges and universities have high graduation rates, meaning most students complete their degrees in four years. These schools typically have:
- Strong advising programs that help students stay on track with their academic goals.
- Clear academic pathways, so students know exactly what classes to take and when.
- Resources dedicated to student success, such as tutoring, academic counseling, and career services.
On the other hand, universities with lower graduation rates might face challenges like:
- Difficulties in course scheduling, where students can’t get the classes they need in the proper sequence, which can delay graduation.
- Resource limitations that may not provide adequate support for all students, making it harder for them to stay on track or get the help they need.
When using the College Navigator tool, you can check the graduation rates for any school. A school with a strong graduation rate is a good indicator that the institution is invested in ensuring students graduate on time. If you see lower graduation rates, it’s worth researching further to understand the reasons behind them—whether they stem from systemic issues, lack of resources, or other factors.
Why does this matter?
A high graduation rate suggests that students are more likely to finish their degree on time, which saves you time and money. If you’re looking for an environment where you can succeed and graduate in four years, prioritizing schools with high graduation rates can help you avoid unnecessary delays and challenges during your academic career.
Now, let’s talk about your major—the subject area you want to study and ultimately earn your degree in. Choosing a major is a huge part of your college decision, and many students don’t fully realize this until they’re already enrolled. It’s actually pretty common for students to want to switch to a different major only to find out that their desired major isn’t even offered at their school.
When you’re thinking about what school to apply to, you need to make sure that the major you’re interested in is available at the institutions you’re considering. The most common majors you’ll find at most universities include:
- Psychology
- Biology
- Sociology
- English
- Business
- History
- Political Science
- Engineering
These majors are offered at nearly every institution because they’re popular and have a broad range of career opportunities. However, if you’re interested in more specialized or less common fields, some colleges may not offer those majors, or they may offer them in a limited way. Some examples of these less common majors include:
- Kinesiology
- Nursing
- Marine Biology
It’s essential to research your desired major to make sure the schools you’re considering actually offer it, and if they do, whether they have a strong program in that field. Some schools are known for their particular departments or programs, and they may offer a wider range of specialized degrees than others.
When you use the College Navigator tool, check not only if your major is offered, but also look at the strength of the program, faculty expertise, and resources available for that field of study. This will help you find a college that aligns with your academic and career goals, and avoid any surprises when you get to campus.
Why does this matter?
Choosing the right college means picking one that offers the major you’re passionate about and ensures you’ll be able to pursue it fully. If you don’t know what you want to major in yet, that’s okay! But if you do, make sure the college can support your chosen path of study.
Next, let’s emphasize the importance of research institutions and professional/teaching-focused colleges, and why you should consider them in your college search.
Research Institutions vs. Professional/Teaching-Focused Colleges
Research Institutions: These schools focus heavily on advancing knowledge through research, offering opportunities for students to engage in cutting-edge projects, often working directly with faculty members. These types of institutions are typically larger and offer extensive research facilities. If you’re interested in a field that requires strong research skills, such as STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), the arts, or even social sciences, attending a research university might be crucial to gaining hands-on experience and exposure to the latest developments in your field.
Professional/Teaching-Focused Colleges: These institutions, on the other hand, may focus more on training students for specific careers and less on research. Many of these colleges are smaller and emphasize teaching, mentorship, and real-world experience. If you’re aiming for a career that doesn’t require heavy research involvement—such as in teaching, healthcare, business, or the arts—a professional or teaching-focused school might be a great fit for you. These schools tend to have strong internship programs, more one-on-one time with professors, and excellent connections to employers in their respective fields.
Why Is This Important?
Understanding what type of institution you’re considering is a key step in how to choose the right college for you. If your main focus is becoming a researcher or pursuing advanced studies, a research institution is likely the better fit because of the opportunities for deep academic exploration, lab work, and collaboration with faculty. On the other hand, if your goal is to enter a specific profession (like nursing, education, or business), you might find that a professional/teaching-focused institution is more suitable, as they provide practical, career-oriented training and internships.
Your choice between these types of schools can also influence the learning environment. Research institutions might feel more fast-paced and competitive, while teaching-focused schools might provide a more supportive, hands-on atmosphere. It’s all about what suits your learning style and career objectives.
Use the College Navigator tool to dive deeper into what type of institution each college offers. You can filter schools by their focus areas—research versus teaching—and make sure you’re choosing a place where you’ll thrive academically and professionally.
Final Thoughts
This blog post is all about how to choose the right college for you based on academics. This information will help you apply to universities that you are more likely to get accepted to based on your academic qualifications, while also helping you evaluate which academic factors matter most when making your final college decision. Keep in mind that matching with a school doesn’t guarantee admission — other factors and the competitiveness of the applicant pool also play a role.
I know this blog post is all about how to choose the right college for you — and that decision can definitely come with a lot of anxiety. But remember, college is what you make of it! The right school is the one where you show up, stay focused, and create your own path.
Check out my other blog post if you want to know more about what more to consider when finalizing your college choice — like personal preferences or affordability.
If you’re starting your college list, in the middle of applications, or trying to make your final decision — my Digital College List Tracker is the tool you need. It helps you keep track of where you are in the process and compare schools side by side. Plus, it includes a list of reflective questions to ask yourself about what you’re really looking for in a college. Super helpful if you’re overwhelmed and want clarity!