Your University Search: The Importance of Thinking Beyond Rankings and Name Brands


Your university list may only consist of schools with names that you’re familiar with. Read on to find out why that could be a big mistake.


W


hen you first start thinking about attending university, you’ll probably have a list of about a dozen well-known schools that come to


mind. Would it surprise you to learn that there are over 4,000 colleges and universities in North America? Many students base their university search on the rank- ings provided by publications like U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education. These sources can be helpful in comparing universities based on a general overview and statistics; however, rankings often focus on criteria that may not apply to the dis- tinctive wants and needs of each student.


What to look for in a university… As you craft your list of prospective institutions, you’ll want to look at the elements that are most important to you and where you will fit in best—not just if a school is ranked #1 in the country or has a name you recog- nize. Here are some factors and questions to consider:


by Reon Sines-Sheaff


Academics It’s important to narrow down your search to schools that will be a good fit for your academic preparation and goals. Are you interested in research? Do you thrive in a challenging academic environment? Do you prefer independent learning or discussion-based classes, or are you most comfortable soaking up a lecture and processing the information on your own? What aca- demic majors are you considering? What are the aver- age test scores and GPA for admission?


Diversity and global engagement As an international student, you should find out where your classmates will be from (the US? Other countries? How many and where?). Does the college cultivate a passion for study abroad or cross-cultural communi- cation? What is support like for international students: Will you feel welcome there? Are there host families? Do they offer an international student orientation?


Articles & Advice


Location and size Do you see yourself in a large city, on a cozy suburban campus, or at a sprawling school in a small town? Does the idea of snow excite or terrify you? What are the people like and how many are there: 1,000 other students…10,000…40,000? Questions about location, school size, climate, and the general campus environ- ment can often be overlooked but are important to ask during your search.


Campus experience If only I had a dollar for every university that describes its campus as “just like Harry Potter!” This description is often used because it’s difficult to capture the cam- pus experience through a video presentation. But inter- actions with staff, faculty, alumni, and current students can help you find out what students do on weekends, how many students are in a class on average, what the residential experience is like, and more. Start thinking

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