3 College Search Tips You Need to Know

It’s never too early—or too late—to start your college search!

In fact, many high school students start the college search process during their sophomore year.

But we fully recognize this task can be overwhelming. After all, there are nearly 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States alone, according to U.S. News and World Report.

That’s why we’re offering our best tips to help make the college search process a little less stressful and a little more fun. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Brainstorm the basics.

Are you bananas for biology? Interested in engineering? Maybe you’ve got an itch for pre-med.

Before you begin your college search, think hard about what you want to major in. This will help you narrow down your options and make the process less daunting overall.

And while you can always change your mind, knowing what you want to focus on academically is a great place to start.

If you don’t have a clue about what you’d like to study, that’s okay! Consider your interests and what you’ve excelled at in the past. Then, ask yourself these questions:

• “What kind of city do I want to live in?”
• “Do I want to attend a big or small school?”
• “Do I want to go in or out of state?”
• “What scholarships am I eligible for? What am I willing to spend?”

Knowing the basics of what you want in a college can help narrow your search from hundreds of possibilities to just a few.

2: Consider your extracurriculars.

Now is also a great time to consider what type of extracurricular/non-academic activities you’d like to explore in college.

Are you into sports? Check out schools that have a thriving athletic department and/or offer intramural sports.

Do you enjoy playing music? You’ll probably want to attend a school that offers a music program.

Looking to join a fraternity or sorority? Search “fraternity and sorority programs” on any college website you visit.

Remember: College is so much more than academics, so be sure to consider the things that bring you joy outside of your major.

3: Visit campuses.

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential colleges, start visiting them!

Nothing can help you get the feel of a campus culture better than a campus visit, so spend your summer, school breaks, and even some weekends visiting the campuses on your list.

During your visit, try to talk to current students, professors, and admissions counselors about what you’re looking for.

Here are a few questions to ask:

• To admissions counselors: “What do you look for in an applicant?”
• To students: “What have you loved most about your experience so far? What would you change?”
• To professors: “What can I do now to help set myself up for success at this school?”

After each visit, write down what you loved, what you didn’t love, and your overall impression of the school. Be sure to do this while the visit is fresh on your mind so that you can compare schools later!

While the college search process can be overwhelming, remember these 3 ways to make it easier:

• Brainstorm the basics of what you’re looking for in a college.
• Consider what extracurriculars you want to participate in while in college.
• Visit college campuses as often as you can and take notes shortly after each visit.

If you’ve got questions about Mercer University, we’ve got answers! Contact your admissions counselor or schedule a campus visit to learn more.

We can’t wait to meet you!