3 Steps to Find Your Perfect College

When I was a junior and senior in high school, finding the right college was constantly on my mind. Now, I’ve found and am attending the perfect one for me. I want others to have that same experience without having to spend countless hours stressing like I did.

There is so much information to consider when researching. I just wished for simple step-by-step instructions created by someone who knew how exhausting and intimidating it was. Luckily for you, I have decided to be that person and grace you with the wisdom I gained during my college search.

Step 1: Think about your wants and needs

I needed a school that could offer me both merit and need-based scholarships. I wanted a smaller school with a student body of 5,000 max, and I had to like the town. I wanted a school that encourages students to explore a variety of subjects with an emphasis on student support and resources. And the dining hall HAD to have good food (that was non-negotiable).

Some people are so focused on finding the “best” school that they forget to consider if it would suit them. Think about factors like where you want to live, how big or small your ideal class sizes are, and whether you will need financial aid to attend. Does the school value the same things you do? What programs do they offer and do they peak your interests? Filters like these help the endless list of colleges become far more manageable.

Step 2: Connect with the school

I had found plenty of colleges that looked great on the computer, but when I visited I realized it wouldn’t work out. 

Visit the campus, schedule a tour and speak with the people there. Whitman has a whole section on their website dedicated to this. If an in-person visit isn’t feasible, that’s okay! Many schools (like Whitman) offer virtual tours and events. I visited Whitman once before attending and participated in many virtual events like the Whitman Tell All, where multiple students shared their experiences. Be brave. Reach out to the admissions office, faculty and current students. They are more than happy to answer your questions!

Step 3: Take notes

At this point, you should have a list of colleges and an idea of what you want. To keep them from blurring together, I created a spreadsheet and sorted them into categories based on my priorities. Then I graded and color-coded each school based on the scores. This really helped me.

For you, this may not be your style. Alternatives could be writing little blurbs about each school or taking photos of interesting things during your visit. This self-reflection will help narrow down your list of potential schools. A bonus is that when you are repeatedly asked why you chose the school that you did, you basically have your answer!

College is a big moment in one’s life. Finding the right one can be nerve-wracking, but that is a good thing. It means you are taking risks and challenging yourself. Whenever you begin to feel those nerves, remind yourself that this means you are exactly where you need to be.

Madeline Langdon ’27 (she/her) is from Louisville, Kentucky, and intends to major in Psychology. She enjoys taking naps under her favorite tree on Ankeny Field, and the chocolate sprinkle donuts at Jewett Café.