Application Information

Planning Guide

How Do I Decide On A College?

Unfortunately, there is no mathematical formula you can use to select your college.  Although there are plenty of websites where you can type in “biology,” “soccer” and “Oregon” and wait for a list of colleges and universities to appear, finding your school involves a personal assessment of who you are and what you need to succeed.

In what location would you like to go to college?
When you begin looking at colleges, it’s important to think about where you would like to spend four years. How far do you want to be from home? Do you want to be in an urban, rural or suburban environment? Think about the climate you want to live in - do you want to be near the mountains, the coast or surrounded by trees? What types of off-campus activities would you like to have access to (camping, skiing, attending concerts or theatre events)?

What size of college is ideal for you?
Colleges come in all shapes and sizes – to find the right one for you, you’ll need to consider what advantages and disadvantages exist for small, medium and large schools. While larger schools can sometimes offer more majors and activities, students at smaller schools usually have classes taught by professors (as opposed to graduate students), more personal attention from their professors and opportunities to conduct research at the undergraduate level.

What kinds of academic programs do you want?
Think about what you might want to study in college and find out what schools can offer these programs. Look at how big the classes are and what types of experiential learning opportunities (such as internships and career exploration, study abroad, and collaborative research) are available.

What kinds of things do I want to do outside of class?
Colleges offer a wide range of activities that can enrich your experience, introduce you to different students and provide a good balance to your academic activities. These activities can include athletic teams, music and theatre programs, school newspapers, yearbooks, radio stations and video productions, community service and international clubs, religious and political groups, and Greek organizations (fraternities and sororities). Think about what interests you and then investigate what’s offered at different schools. (P.S. If you can’t find a club or activity that you want to participate in, check into the possibility of starting your own club!)

Finding the right college requires you to assess the “fit” of academic programs, campus facilities, social and cultural opportunities and an examination of the people.