How to Narrow Down Your College List

There are many different types of schools, so in-person or virtual tours can help you figure out what you like, or better yet, what you don’t like. A tour does more than show you where buildings are located. It actually helps to settle broader debates (with your parents and more importantly within yourself) that, once figured out, can quickly narrow down your college list. Such debates include whether you want a city school or a campus school, a large school or a small school, or even if you want a private college or a public institution. These are essential questions to ask when trying to find a place that fits your lifestyle because often times the person who wants big Saturday football games wants a different type of school than the student who prefers small class sizes with less than ten people.

A tour can also narrow down your college list by allowing you to determine which amenities are essential for you to have. Maybe you want a school library with over three million books or a state-of-the-art athletic facility where you can work out. Maybe you want the school with Greek life or one that offers volunteer opportunities over spring break. Regardless of what you are looking for, a tour will be the easiest to see what things a school has and what things you might have to sacrifice if you attend .

Emailing a school, following them on social media, or sitting in on an admission’s “Welcome Session” can provide insight into what the university offers, which can help narrow down your list even further. You can learn more about the application process to determine whether the school is a reach or a safety. You can also learn more about student life and what the school has for clubs, sports, and Greek life. Additionally, you can get more information about various opportunities such as studying abroad, internships, and fellowships. Connecting with a school is also a great way to learn about financial aid and the different types of scholarships a school can provide. You sometimes also get to hear from current students who can share a fresh perspective on college life. And remember, don’t be afraid to ask questions; no question is a dumb question when trying to find a new home.

Believe it or not, the same major is different at every school. No two drama programs will be exactly the same, and that goes for photography, music business, game theory, or any other discipline you choose. Each school takes its own approach, so trying to find a major you like can help narrow down your college list and remove the ones you don’t. The best way to learn more about a major is by researching it on a school’s website.

Researching your major shows you far more than just a brief overview of the major itself. You can look at core requirements and figure out how long it will be until you take classes in your major. You can also see what class structures are like, whether they take a practical or theoretic approach, or if they are  large lectures halls or small discussions. Most likely you can access past course offerings to read the descriptions and see if any cool classes pique your interest. Researching your major will also give insight to the professors and whether they still work in the industry, conduct research, or actually teach the classes offered.

When narrowing down their list of schools, most people tend to focus on academics but forget to look into dorm life. It may feel superficial to judge a school based on how its residence halls look, but these rooms are about to become your home, so it has to be a place you can realistically see yourself living. To get a sense of the dorms, watch videos posted by the school. They often show the different types of rooms in the building and the other features, whether it be laundry, common rooms, bike racks, or study lounges. These videos can also help narrow down your list by determining what the deal breakers are, whether it be possible communal bathrooms, carpeted floors, or a lack of air-conditioning.

Don’t just take the school’s word for it. Spend some time going down the YouTube wormhole and watch videos posted by students. Trust me, there is no shortage of them on the internet. Schools will always show their best rooms in videos as a way to to draw students in. But, watching a homemade video will give you an insider’s look at what dorm living is actually like for most students. In addition to showing you what students are missing or what they would change, these videos can show you how people decorate, the weird features in rooms, and what items may be useful to bring.