How to Find Your Perfect College Match
Hey, everyone. Welcome back. I bet helping your kids find the perfect college is on your mind a lot these days.
Speaker 2:It's definitely a big one.
Speaker 1:Yeah. It can feel like a huge task.
Speaker 2:It really can.
Speaker 1:Between rankings and pressure Yeah. It's easy to lose sight of what really matters.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And this blog post we have really cuts through all that noise and focuses on what's key.
Speaker 1:Finding that perfect college fit.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Yeah. Finding a college where your student can thrive, not just survive.
Speaker 1:It's so easy to get caught up in the hype, you know, like, oh, which school is the best?
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. For sure.
Speaker 1:But this blog post reminds us that it's not about the prestige. It's about finding a place where your student can really blossom.
Speaker 2:Right. Academically, socially, personally, the whole package.
Speaker 1:Totally. And, you know, the research backed this up. The blog post talks about how students who feel connected to their school
Speaker 2:They're more likely to succeed.
Speaker 1:Yeah. It's not just about grades either. It's about well-being.
Speaker 2:Exactly. When they feel like they belong, they're more engaged, more motivated.
Speaker 1:And more likely to reach their full potential. Makes total sense. But how do we even begin to figure out what fit means for our kids?
Speaker 2:That's the $1,000,000 question. Right?
Speaker 1:Right. It's such an abstract concept. Like, how do you even define that?
Speaker 2:Well, the blog post has a great place to start.
Speaker 1:Okay. I'm listening.
Speaker 2:It talks about separating needs from wants.
Speaker 1:Oh, that's interesting.
Speaker 2:It's kind of like making a shopping list.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:But for college I
Speaker 1:like it.
Speaker 2:What are those absolute must haves, and then what are the things that would be nice but not essential?
Speaker 1:Okay. I like where this is going. Yeah. So in the context of college, what are some examples of those needs?
Speaker 2:So needs, those are the nonnegotiables, the things you can't compromise on. Okay. Things like a specific major or program.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Maybe your student has their heart set on marine biology.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And not every school is gonna have a great program for that.
Speaker 1:It makes sense.
Speaker 2:Or maybe financial aid is a major factor.
Speaker 1:Huge for a lot of families.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Some schools have way more generous packages than others.
Speaker 1:Right. And it's not just about the academics either. Support services, those are essential too.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Especially if your child might need some extra support.
Speaker 1:Tutoring, mental health resources, things like that.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. You can't overlook those.
Speaker 1:But those are the things you just can't compromise on. But what about those wants?
Speaker 2:The fun stuff.
Speaker 1:Right? Are those just about, you know, a beautiful campus or a lively social scene?
Speaker 2:Well, those definitely fall under wants.
Speaker 1:K.
Speaker 2:But it's more than just that.
Speaker 1:I figured.
Speaker 2:You gotta think about the overall vibe of the school.
Speaker 1:Right. Right.
Speaker 2:Like, does your child thrive in a competitive environment, or do they prefer more collaboration?
Speaker 1:Oh, that's a good point.
Speaker 2:Are they looking for a small, close knit community or a large university with tons of options?
Speaker 1:Yeah. Like a small liberal arts college versus a huge state school.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:That's totally different vibes.
Speaker 2:And those are all wants that can make a big difference in how happy and successful your student will be.
Speaker 1:This needs versus wants framework is so helpful for, like, bringing clarity to the process. It feels much less overwhelming already.
Speaker 2:I'm glad to hear that.
Speaker 1:Now the blog post also challenges this idea that location
Speaker 2:yeah. That's a big one.
Speaker 1:And I gotta admit, I kinda bought into that myth.
Speaker 2:It's a common misconception.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Like, oh, it doesn't matter where you go as long as you get a good education.
Speaker 2:But location can actually be a game changer.
Speaker 1:Oh, really?
Speaker 2:Yeah. For a few reasons. 1st, it directly impacts internship opportunities.
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah.
Speaker 2:And employers those days, they really value real world experience.
Speaker 1:They do.
Speaker 2:So a school in a city known for, let's say, tech start ups Yeah. That could open so many doors for internships
Speaker 1:It makes perfect sense.
Speaker 2:That a rural college just can't offer.
Speaker 1:If your child is passionate about a specific field, being in a location where that industry thrives could be a huge advantage.
Speaker 2:It totally could.
Speaker 1:But it's not just about careers either. Right?
Speaker 2:No way.
Speaker 1:Location also influences their social life.
Speaker 2:It does.
Speaker 1:Access to resources, their overall lifestyle.
Speaker 2:Some students thrive in those bustling urban environments Yeah. While others might flourish in a smaller college town.
Speaker 1:Right. Right.
Speaker 2:It's about finding that sweet spot where they feel at home.
Speaker 1:And that can make a big difference in their overall well-being.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Okay. So we've covered needs versus wants and the importance of location. Mhmm. Now let's talk about rankings.
Speaker 2:The big r word.
Speaker 1:Yeah. They're everywhere. You can't escape them.
Speaker 2:It's true.
Speaker 1:But this blog post is pretty clear, look beyond the rankings. Yeah. Why is that?
Speaker 2:Well, they can be tempting.
Speaker 1:They do seem like a shortcut.
Speaker 2:Like, oh, I just wanna find the best schools.
Speaker 1:Exactly.
Speaker 2:But they can be so misleading. How so? They often prioritize things that might not be relevant to your child's experience as an undergrad.
Speaker 1:Like, what kinds of things?
Speaker 2:Things like research output or endowment size. Okay.
Speaker 1:And they
Speaker 2:don't tell you anything about those things we've been talking about.
Speaker 1:Like the sense of community Yeah. The teaching quality, the overall vibe of the campus.
Speaker 2:They don't capture that at all.
Speaker 1:So what you're saying is rankings don't necessarily reflect the things that make a college the right fit.
Speaker 2:Exactly. They paint a very narrow picture.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And they can create this pressure cooker environment where everyone's chasing the same few schools
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Regardless of whether those schools are actually a good match for their needs and interests.
Speaker 1:It's like trying to squeeze a square peg into a round hole.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Exactly.
Speaker 1:Just because school is highly ranked
Speaker 2:Doesn't mean it's the right fit.
Speaker 1:Right. And that's what really matters at the end of the day.
Speaker 2:It is. Yeah. It's about finding that harmony between the student and the institution. The blog post has some great advice on getting a more authentic feel for a college.
Speaker 1:Okay. I'm all ears because if we're not relying on rankings, how do we really figure this out?
Speaker 2:How do we cut through the marketing? Yeah.
Speaker 1:How do we separate the fluff from reality?
Speaker 2:Well, talking to current students is a fantastic way to get that inside scoop.
Speaker 1:That's true. But I'm just thinking, you know, won't they just say nice things about their school?
Speaker 2:Of course.
Speaker 1:How can we encourage our kids to dig deeper to get honest, unbiased opinions?
Speaker 2:You're so right. It's all about asking the right questions. Encourage your student to go beyond the surface.
Speaker 1:So, like, what kinds of questions?
Speaker 2:Ask things like, what's been the biggest challenge you faced here? Or if you could change one thing about this school, what would it be?
Speaker 1:Those are good ones.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Those kind of questions can spark some really honest conversations.
Speaker 1:It's about getting beyond the highlight reel. Yeah. You know, really understanding the nuances of what it's like to go there.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And the blog post had another suggestion too.
Speaker 1:What's that?
Speaker 2:Campus visits.
Speaker 1:Oh, those are so important.
Speaker 2:They are.
Speaker 1:There's really no substitute for actually being there Nope. Experiencing the atmosphere.
Speaker 2:Encourage your student to walk around, sit in on a class, maybe grab lunch in the dining hall.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Just absorb the energy of the place.
Speaker 2:See if it feels like a good fit.
Speaker 1:Those visits can be so eye opening. I remember when I was applying to colleges, there's this one school that looked amazing on paper.
Speaker 2:Oh, I bet.
Speaker 1:But when I got there, it just felt off. Oh, no. The energy was wrong. The students seemed stressed.
Speaker 2:Yikes.
Speaker 1:And I just knew right away it wasn't the place for me.
Speaker 2:You just get that feeling.
Speaker 1:I did. And it's about trusting that gut feeling.
Speaker 2:It is.
Speaker 1:And don't forget to look beyond the campus itself.
Speaker 2:Yeah. That's important too.
Speaker 1:What's the surrounding town or city like?
Speaker 2:Right. Does it offer the kind of activities and opportunities your student's looking for?
Speaker 1:Remember, college is about more than just academics.
Speaker 2:It's about the whole experience.
Speaker 1:Finding a place where your student can thrive as a whole person.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:The blog post also talks about something I think is really important.
Speaker 2:It's that.
Speaker 1:Thinking about career outcomes.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. It's easy to get caught
Speaker 1:up in the excitement of, you know, just the college experience.
Speaker 2:No. Yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah. But, ultimately, we want our kids to be prepared for life after graduation.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. And the post says it's never too early to start thinking about those long term goals.
Speaker 1:That's so true.
Speaker 2:Look at factors like job placement rates, alumni networks, internship programs.
Speaker 1:All good indicators of how well a college prepares its students for the real world.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Those are the things that matter.
Speaker 1:And I know some parents are hesitant to push their kids to think about careers so early on.
Speaker 2:I get that.
Speaker 1:But I think it can actually be empowering. I agree. It helps them connect their passions to potential career paths and then find colleges that align with those goals.
Speaker 2:It's not about forcing them into a specific career
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:But more about exploring the possibilities.
Speaker 1:Exactly. And finding a path that feels right.
Speaker 2:That resonates with their interests and talents.
Speaker 1:So we've talked about needs versus wants, location, rankings, career outcomes, the importance of campus visits. It's a lot.
Speaker 2:It's a lot to juggle.
Speaker 1:How do we go from feeling overwhelmed to actually having a manageable approach to this whole college search thing?
Speaker 2:Take a deep breath. Okay. The blog post breaks it down into practical steps.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:1st, remember those must haves we talked about.
Speaker 1:Those nonnegotiables. Right.
Speaker 2:Start by eliminating schools that don't meet those essential criteria.
Speaker 1:That could really narrow down the list.
Speaker 2:It can. What's next?
Speaker 1:Okay. So you get rid of the schools that are definitely not a fit.
Speaker 2:Yep. Then create a balanced list of reach, match, and safety schools.
Speaker 1:Okay. I've heard those terms before.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Aim for about 6 to 10 schools in total.
Speaker 1:Okay. Not too many.
Speaker 2:Not too few.
Speaker 1:A good manageable number.
Speaker 2:Right. A few reach schools are great.
Speaker 1:Encourage your student to aim high.
Speaker 2:Yeah. But it's also important to have some match schools.
Speaker 1:Where they actually have a good chance of getting in.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And, of course, a couple of safety schools.
Speaker 1:Just for that peace of mind.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:So a mix of those three categories ensures you've got options, but it's not an overwhelming number of applications.
Speaker 2:That's the goal.
Speaker 1:What else should parents be keeping in mind as they help their kids navigate this?
Speaker 2:Affordability.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:College is a big investment.
Speaker 1:It is.
Speaker 2:And it's important to be realistic about what you can afford.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. Look beyond just the sticker price of tuition. Right. Think about housing costs, fees Yeah. The overall cost of living.
Speaker 2:You got it.
Speaker 1:It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of getting accepted to a dream school.
Speaker 2:I know.
Speaker 1:But if it's not financially feasible, it can create a lot of stress down the line.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. The blog post also highlights the importance of exploring financial aid options.
Speaker 1:Yeah. There's so much more out there than just student loans. So much more. Scholarships, grants, work study programs.
Speaker 2:Don't be afraid to ask questions.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Be proactive.
Speaker 2:Advocate for your child's financial well-being.
Speaker 1:Okay. So we've covered needs versus wants, location, rankings Mhmm. Career outcomes, the importance of campus visits and affordability, anything else we should be thinking about.
Speaker 2:Don't forget about campus life.
Speaker 1:Oh, right. It's more than just academics.
Speaker 2:It is research clubs, activities, events, things that align with your students' interests.
Speaker 1:So a college might have an excellent academic program. Right. But if the campus culture doesn't feel right or there aren't opportunities to pursue their passions outside of class And
Speaker 2:it might not be the right fit.
Speaker 1:Right. It's about finding a place where your student can truly thrive, not just survive.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Yeah. There are some fantastic online resources out there.
Speaker 1:Oh, tell me more.
Speaker 2:They can help you filter colleges, compare programs, even get personalized recommendations.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow. So they kinda do some of the work for you.
Speaker 2:They can. Some platforms students' academic profile, their interest, preferences, and then they generate a list of potential matches.
Speaker 1:That sounds amazing. Yeah. It's like having a personal college counselor right in your pocket.
Speaker 2:Kind of.
Speaker 1:Do you have any favorites you recommend?
Speaker 2:There's College Board's Big Future. That's a great starting point.
Speaker 1:Okay. I've heard of that one.
Speaker 2:It lets you search based on all sorts of criteria.
Speaker 1:Like what?
Speaker 2:Location, size, major, cost, all that good stuff.
Speaker 1:Nice.
Speaker 2:You can even create a list of favorites and track deadlines.
Speaker 1:That one's definitely going on on my list. Yeah. Any others that stand out?
Speaker 2:There are also tons of college match surveys.
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah. I've seen those.
Speaker 2:Those go a little deeper into your student's learning style, even their values. Uh-huh. And then they suggest colleges that might be particularly good fit.
Speaker 1:I bet those are really helpful for students who are still figuring out what they want
Speaker 2:They can be.
Speaker 1:Or who have, like, diverse interests.
Speaker 2:It takes some of the guesswork out.
Speaker 1:It does.
Speaker 2:And research shows that students who use these tools, they're actually more satisfied with their final choice.
Speaker 1:Wow. That's pretty impressive. Yeah. So it seems like these online resources can really save time and energy.
Speaker 2:They can.
Speaker 1:And ultimately increase the likelihood of finding a college that's truly a good fit.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:It's amazing how technology can empower us to make these kinds of decisions.
Speaker 2:It really is.
Speaker 1:But before we wrap up, I wanna circle back to something you said earlier Okay. About the emotional side of this process.
Speaker 2:Yeah. That's huge.
Speaker 1:It's not just about, you know, checking boxes and finding the right school.
Speaker 2:It's not.
Speaker 1:It's about supporting our kids through this whole journey.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. And it can be a really stressful time for everyone involved.
Speaker 1:I know. I'm feeling the pressure just thinking about it. What advice do you have for parents who wanna support their kids in a healthy way?
Speaker 2:Well, first and foremost, listen.
Speaker 1:Okay.
Speaker 2:Really listen to what they're saying.
Speaker 1:To their hopes, fears, anxieties, all of it.
Speaker 2:All of it. Validate their feelings. Reassure them that you're there for them no matter what.
Speaker 1:It's about being a partner in this journey, not a dictator.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Resist the urge to push your own agenda.
Speaker 1:Oh, that's hard.
Speaker 2:I know. But remember, this is their journey. Right. Your role is to guide and support them, not to control them.
Speaker 1:That's such an important reminder. It's so easy to get caught up in our own hopes and dreams for our kids.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I know.
Speaker 1:But, ultimately, we want them to find their own path.
Speaker 2:We do.
Speaker 1:And don't forget to celebrate those small victories along the way.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:Completing an application, visiting a campus, having a good conversation with a current student.
Speaker 2:Those are all milestones worth celebrating.
Speaker 1:It's about finding the joy in the journey, not just focusing on the destination.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And remember, there is no one perfect college. So true. There are many paths to success and happiness. Absolutely.
Speaker 1:The most important thing is finding a place where your student can thrive and grow.
Speaker 2:Into the best version of themselves.
Speaker 1:I love that. This deep dive has been so enlightening. We've covered so much
Speaker 2:We have.
Speaker 1:From needs versus wants to rankings to the emotional roller coaster of this whole process. Thank you so much for your time and expertise.
Speaker 2:My pleasure.
Speaker 1:And for those of you listening who are feeling a bit overwhelmed and could use some extra guidance, I wanna mention a fantastic resource.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah.
Speaker 1:College Journey.
Speaker 2:They're great.
Speaker 1:They offer a wealth of tools and resources, including an AI powered college counselor named Alice.
Speaker 2:I love Alice.
Speaker 1:2, Alice can provide personalized recommendations, help with essays, and keep you organized throughout the whole process.
Speaker 2:It's like having a team of experts in your corner every step of the way.
Speaker 1:You can learn more about College Journey and everything they have to offer on their website college journey dot a I.
Speaker 2:It's a great resource.
Speaker 1:And remember, you don't have to go through this alone.
Speaker 2:You don't.
Speaker 1:There are so many resources available to support you and your student on this incredible journey.
Speaker 2:That's so true. Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 1:We hope this deep dive has given you the tools and insights you need to navigate the college search with confidence and clarity. Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning, and keep believing in the power of education.
