Cut Through College Marketing Clutter

The college selection process can be less stressful if you cut through the marketing clutter to discover how colleges approach teaching and learning in and out of the classroom.

• Don't just rely on shortcut sources such as rankings, guidebooks, and popular college review websites.
• Drill down into the college website. Learn about clubs and extracurricular activities that align with your  interests. Your knowledge of these activities can also be helpful for your admissions essay.  
• Contact the college. Contact an admissions representative and introduce yourself by asking a well-researched question.
• Visit the campus. Talk with students and faculty about their experiences and expectations, and of course, speak with your admissions counselor.   
• Follow along online. Read the student newspaper online and experience the college through Facebook.

Once you have assessed institutional characteristics, you will find that your choices are broader than you imagined.