We all have friends or family members who chose a particular college or university based on every characteristic except the student’s own particular needs and interests. Some students choose the institution attended by other members of their own family, some choose a school for its academic prestige or athletic reputation, and some are simply looking for a specific distance from home. The truth is that for as many reasons students have for picking a college, there are at least as many students who struggle socially and academically because they are not at the right school. The key to success in college, and embarking on what comes next, is assessing the fit of every school of interest to determine not just the best school, but the best school for that student.

I started this two-part blog series by offering insight on how to determine if the institution and the academic program of interest are in line with the student’s needs, values, and interests. We’ll continue with student life and the community environment as the last two levels of exploration students and families should undertake when assessing if a college is the best fit.

What is Student Life Like on Campus?

When exploring the student life and community culture, start by reviewing the student life website. Explore the list of campus resource centers and organizations. Look at the student government structure to see how students are given a voice on campus to expand their skills in leadership and citizenship.

• Are there clubs/organizations for multiple political parties/religions/cultural groups etc.? How active are the clubs? Do they have regular events or meetings?

• Do the clubs welcome students of differing political persuasions/religions etc.?

• Do the clubs of different ideologies ever come together to hold dialogues to explore their beliefs or discuss different perspectives on key topics/current events?

• What percentage of the student body participates in Greek Life?

• How does the campus and the student body engage with the surrounding community?

Beyond the clubs, review what resources the institution is offering to support these student communities:

• Is there a center or office to foster the student's spiritual development/religious beliefs?

• Are there centers to support various cultural/ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ students, women?

• Is there an Interfaith or Multicultural Center offering programs and services to facilitate dialogue and difficult conversations?

• For political exploration and growth, check out the Political Science department's course offerings and campus events.

• Consider how prominent a role athletics play on campus. For example, are most of the photos of student community and social life set at athletic events?

Another important resource to consult is campus media - both the institution's official media (i.e. media relations, social media channels, etc.) and the student media (e.g. the student newspaper and other blogs/publications, student TV station and campus radio). Plugging into the student voice will provide insight into the issues and leanings of the campus to help potential students determine if it is a comfortable fit.

How Does the Surrounding Community Interact with the Institution?

Never forget that the institution exists within a greater community. Be sure to conduct research on the university’s local and regional area:

• What is the history and cultural heritage of the region?

• What are environmental factors - city vs. rural? mountains vs. plains? coastal vs. landlocked?

• What is the climate like in different seasons, and is the student familiar with that weather?

• Who are the major employers in the region?

Look up the area’s visitor’s bureau to understand the cultural and recreational opportunities available off-campus. Review a map and both the university and region’s transportation sites to understand how easy or difficult it is to get into the nearest city and other regional attractions.

Even if it’s not possible to do a formal campus visit, it may still be a good idea to travel to the school and its surrounding area for a day or weekend. Not only will this visit allow the family an opportunity to digest the travel time, route, and convenience of trips home, but the student and parents can explore the off-campus community together. Take note of how easy it is to get around town with the student’s mode of transportation in mind. Are there any off-campus part-time job prospects, civic organizations, houses of worship, or entertainment venues? If the school is far from home, are there any contacts or family members in the area who the student can visit from time to time? Locate some points of interest that might provide a sense of familiarity to the student. While the student may not spend a lot of time off-campus, getting comfortable with the region will enhance the sense of community and belonging.

The college search and school list development process is critical to successful college admissions and the entire four-year experience. By identifying schools that align with the student’s values, passions, and goals, the student will be able to better articulate interest in a particular university, creating both a stronger application and setting the tone for an exciting journey at a campus that feels most like home. 

In my work with families and students, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know a great deal about the areas of many well-known universities and high-quality smaller regional schools. For a headstart on identifying schools that are a great fit, schedule a College Planning Strategy Session. I work alongside families and students every day to ease the overwhelming flow of information and narrow down the choices to the schools that are the best match for each student.