In recent years, we've noticed a growing trend among families placing a higher emphasis on their students attending highly selective colleges. U.S. News rankings are often cited by students and parents as the ultimate measure of a college's quality. However, rankings and name recognition often overlook a crucial factor: the individual student.

As educational consultants, we have the privilege of visiting a wide variety of colleges across the country, from well-known institutions to hidden gems. Through our travels in recent years, we have been consistently impressed by the exceptional quality of education and campus life experience offered at a diverse range of schools.

During our visits, we have had the opportunity to explore old favorites such as Rhodes, Wash U, and Sewanee, while also discovering lesser-known schools like the University of Alabama at Huntsville and St. Louis University. These hidden gems offer excellent educational experiences, unique programs, and experiential learning opportunities, often with substantial merit aid available. Our travels have also taken us to colleges from coast to coast and in between, including Santa Clara University, the University of Portland, Willamette, Seattle University, Oregon State, TCU, SMU, and the University of New Hampshire. Each of these institutions provided a distinctive and impressive educational experience. We could envision many of our students thriving academically, socially, and financially at these remarkable colleges.

These experiences reinforce our belief in the importance of broadening our perspective when researching potential colleges. Fit to the student—not a ranking based on limited criteria—should be the most critical factor in deciding where to apply.

In our experience, finding the right fit for a student involves three main components:

1. Academics. The academic environment of a college is crucial to a student's success. Consider the student's academic strengths and preferences. Do they thrive in small discussion-based classes or prefer lecture-based learning? Do they want to be the top performer in their class, or do they enjoy being challenged by their peers? Does a test-based environment suit them, or do they excel in project-based learning? Answering these questions will help narrow down college lists to schools that will truly be a good fit.
2. Social Environment. Schools vary significantly in terms of social experience, and it's essential to ensure that the student feels comfortable at their chosen college. Consider the student's social preferences. Do they have large groups of friends or prefer a smaller, tight-knit group? Are they interested in participating in a wide range of campus activities, or will they focus on one or two key interests? Is Greek life or campus traditions important to them? Different schools offer different social opportunities, so keep this in mind when evaluating fit.
3. Location. Location can significantly impact a student's college experience. Consider the student's preferences and needs. Are they comfortable being away from home, or do they prefer to be within driving distance? Are specific climates challenging for them? Do they have talents or hobbies that might draw them to a particular region?

When considering a college, we challenge families to prioritize college fit over rankings or name recognition. One effective approach is to have the student describe their dream college without using specific college names. What does it look like? Who are the people in their classes? What is the surrounding area like? What will they learn? How will they apply classroom experiences to real life? What kind of mentors do they hope to find? What does a successful college experience look like to them?

By allowing students to think deeply about what they want in a college, we increase the likelihood of helping them find institutions where they will thrive.