Finding the Right College Fit

How to research colleges, create your college application list and find support for your college search.

Thinking of becoming a Boxer? Schedule your on-campus tour today and talk to current students, faculty and admissions counselors to get answers on everything from prime study spots to the best late night restaurants.

Thinking about your future and wondering how to start your college search? It can be helpful to begin your college search early in your high school experience. This allows you time to investigate a variety of colleges and to tailor your courses and extracurriculars toward the universities you hope to attend. Although it may seem early, it helps to start thinking about what you want from college and what  kind of college experience will be the best fit for you. At Pacific University, we believe this journey begins with understanding your purpose in pursuing college and finding colleges where you feel a sense of belonging. With a clear plan, you can focus on what matters to you most, discover campuses that fit your goals, and make confident decisions. 

What College Should I Go To? 

A thorough college search must begin with self reflection. Consider what you want most from your college experience, what environments you are most comfortable in, how you do your best learning, and what career paths you want to explore and prepare for. Before you even begin researching schools, think deeply about who you are and what you hope to experience and achieve in college. “What college should I go to?” is a very personal question and the answer must begin with you.

As you reflect on these questions, it can be helpful to talk to parents, teachers, coaches, counselors and other mentors in your life. Ask them to share stories of their own educational journeys with you and to help you reflect on what college pathway might best suit you. They may be able to point out things you haven’t yet considered, offer advice, or help you validate things you already know about yourself and how you learn. 

Once you’ve considered your interests and goals, you can start looking at colleges to assess their potential fit. Consider what kind of college experience you want to have:

• Do you want to stay close to home or go farther away?
• Do you want to attend a large university or a small one?
• Will you feel happiest blending into large lecture halls or receiving individualized attention in small group discussions?
• Do you want to spend your college years in a large city or a small town? 

Answering these questions will help you create your college list, which is an important first step in the college search. 

For example, a small liberal arts university in a residential setting — like Pacific University — invites students into an individualized learning environment, focusing on creating a community of belonging. This is a great fit for students who prefer small classes, close knit communities and personalized learning.

How to Research Colleges Online

There are many tools to help you discover colleges and universities. You can research online through the College Board, Common App and the federal College Scorecard, which allow you to filter schools by majors, location, size, graduation rates and costs. This can help you create and narrow down a college list based on your needs and preferences.

Some students and their parents also use AI to assist them in their college search. Tools like ChatGPT or Gemini can help you compare colleges and suggest options similar to those already on your list. Because AI is a useful tool for aggregating data, it can quickly pull specific information about a variety of schools and assist students in assessing their fit for different programs. When it comes to applying, though, it is important to be aware that many colleges discourage or ban the use of AI to complete core parts of the college application, like the admissions essay.

However you gather preliminary information on potential schools, you will always want to check out their websites in order to get a fuller understanding of their programs, campus culture and application requirements. 

How to Research Colleges In Person

Online resources will only give you a part of the picture when it comes to understanding a possible college experience. It’s important to combine online research with in-person interactions. You can find calendars of admissions events on each university’s website. Visit college fairs and spend time at the booths of colleges you are interested in. Talk to admissions counselors about what your experience at their university might be like and what you need to prepare to apply. Seek out current students and alumni to get the inside scoop on what it's like to be a student at a school you’re researching. These person-to-person interactions are invaluable in helping you to gain a full understanding of what your experience at a school may be like.

One of the best ways to picture yourself at a college is through a college visit. Many universities have specific open days for high school juniors and seniors, but freshman and sophomores are also encouraged to visit colleges that interest them and take a tour. Pacific University, for example, encourages freshmen and sophomores to schedule campus tours and come for a visit.

Creating Your College Application List

Though you’ll want to start by adding many colleges and universities to your list of possibilities, at a certain point, you’ll need to start narrowing your search to focus on the schools you most want to consider applying to. As you research colleges and narrow your list, consider the pros and cons of each school alongside factors like academic programs, campus culture, outcomes and affordability.

Once you’ve determined which colleges you plan to apply to, create a document or calendar with the deadlines and requirements for each school so that you can stay organized during your application season.

How Do I Find College Search Support?

As you start your college search, it’s important to have a robust network of support. Friends and family can help to cheer you on and as you reflect on what college experiences will best suit your needs. Guidance counselors at your high school can suggest schools that you may want to consider. Admissions counselors at the universities you are interested in can help you gain a better understanding of what your college experience could look like at their schools. You can always speak with admissions counselors before you apply to a college. For Pacific University, admissions counselors travel to college fairs and visit high schools throughout multiple regions throughout the year and are able to answer questions for students in multiple phases of their college search and application process.

Many students also consider hiring an application consultant to provide additional guidance. These independent advisors can help students to create their college application list, prepare their applications and identify opportunities for financial aid. Though college application consultants are an extra expense, they can be helpful in providing additional support. Many families are also using AI to identify financial aid opportunities and even predict a student’s likelihood of acceptance.

Whatever method of support you turn to, it’s important to have assistance throughout your college search and application. Starting your college search can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Pacific University’s welcoming team offers support throughout your journey, from first questions to final decisions. From college tours to helpful admissions counselors, we provide the personalized guidance you need to understand how to conduct your college search and how to choose a college that aligns with your goals.

Got questions about applying to Pacific University? Connect with your personalized admissions counselor today and see what it takes to become a Boxer.

EXPLORE UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS