Fit Tips

Helping students find the right fit is what CollegeFit is all about! Therefore, we've released five Fit Tips to remember during your college search:

1- Consider all your options. Participating in a gap year program, going to trade school, applying to a specialized school for art or music are ALL great options. Don’t feel pressured to have a direction and plan for your entire life. It’s hard to know what you want to do at 18. So, keep your options open, and go easy on yourself. You are never stuck. Also, be on the lookout for an upcoming post on gap year programs.

2- Think about what makes you happy. It sounds silly, but often we get so caught up in rankings and prestige that we don’t think about finding the best possible fit. Do you value downtime and look forward to watching Netflix at the end of a long day? Consider looking at schools that offer apartment-style living, with your own room. Or, think about which schools emphasize autonomy. Do you like to get highly involved in your community? Consider a small school where involvement is encouraged! Overall, think about what brings you joy, and apply those things to your college search.

Finding a school that makes you happy is more important than finding a school with a high ranking

3- Talk to real students rather than watching YouTube. When researching schools, try to talk to actual students there, rather than scouring YouTube or College Confidential. You’ll want to have an authentic depiction of the school you’ll end up at, so ask tough questions when you’re on a tour, in an interview, or chatting with a current student.

4- Be authentic in the application. This is probably the most important tip, because colleges want to admit students who will be happy there. So, for your own sake, be yourself! Sometimes, it can be tempting to over-edit an essay. Don’t. Over-editing takes “you” out of your essay. Let a parent or friend read it, ask them if it sounds like you, check for grammar mistakes, then let it be. Don’t use big words you don’t normally use. Don’t exaggerate. Just tell a true story about yourself, and you will end up in the right place.

When writing your college applications, be authentic! Nothing is more important when it comes to finding a school that is the best fit. Don't think about "what it takes" to get in. Just be you.

5- Try not to stress. Go with your gut. There’s not a right or a wrong choice, and nothing is ever truly set in stone. The college admissions scandal broke out because people are way too obsessed about name brand schools. College does not define you. We want to help you find the right fit. After all, we believe in finding the best fit rather than striving for the best figures.