Build Your Perfect College List: Module 2
Academic Fit Factors
Welcome to Module 2 of Build Your Perfect College List!
This section of the program will help you identify the ACADEMIC FIT FACTORS that you and your student should consider as you develop your college list.
The academic fit factors include trying to predict the probability of your student to be admitted to the colleges they are considering as well as trying to ensure the academic environment matches the skills, abilities and expectations of your student. Too many people underestimate the importance of ensuring your student is in the optimal academic setting for their future success. Admission is only part of the goal. We want you to also focus on finding the ideal academic environment where your student will be challenged but not overwhelmed. Module 2 is designed to help you with both aspects of your academic evaluation of the colleges your student is considering.
In Module 2 you will learn:
- Which academic factors to consider when researching colleges.
- That it’s more than your student’s GPA that impacts acceptance.
- How to find the right environment for your student to be challenged but not overwhelmed.
- The importance of not following “bumper sticker envy” when selecting colleges for your student to apply to.
Your Homework For Module 2:
- Download our Academic Factors Handout.
- Pick 3 schools to research that your student may be interested in applying to.
- List all the admissions requirements for each school, along with unique requirements that are considered for specific majors your student may be exploring, the college’s flexibility in supporting your child if they change their mind (that would never happen, right?), and the college’s process for helping your student identify their major so they can have a positive learning experience and graduate in 4 years.
- From various resources, see if you can get a sense of the school’s academic environment. Below are just some examples of the types of things you may want to find out as you research colleges. Feel free to customize these questions to the areas that are most important to you and your student so you know you are considering the right types of colleges for your student.
- What is the average class size?
- What is the total number of undergraduates?
- Do they offer academic advising?
- How easy or difficult is it to change majors?
- Do they have research and internship opportunities?
- How do they support students to successfully land a research opportunity, internship, and job when they graduate?
