My philosophy is that college guidance is all about finding the right match
between the college or university and the student. Just because U.S. News and World Report ranks a school number one does not mean that school is right for you.
So why not create your own “Best Colleges” list? You can create a list of Best Colleges for Me! Here are some criteria (created by Allen Grove) you might consider to include. Don’t include all of these, just those that are important to you.
- A high graduation rate
- Low student / faculty ratio
- Good financial aid: a guarantee to meet demonstrated need is excellent; guaranteed no loans is even better
- Internship and research opportunities
- Study abroad opportunities
- Engaging and innovative curriculum
- Clubs and activities that match your interest
- Good health and wellness facilities
- A safe campus
- Good academic support services
- Strong career services
- Strong computing infrastructure
- Leadership opportunities for students
- Active and supportive alumni network
John Spear 