{"id":404,"date":"2022-09-30T07:45:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-30T07:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/35.72.163.191\/?p=404"},"modified":"2025-02-20T05:06:11","modified_gmt":"2025-02-20T05:06:11","slug":"adopt-a-systematic-research-cycle-for-finding-the-perfect-fit-college","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cialfo.co\/blog\/adopt-a-systematic-research-cycle-for-finding-the-perfect-fit-college","title":{"rendered":"Adopt a systematic Research Cycle for finding the perfect fit college"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With a world of universities out there, deciding which ones to apply to can be a daunting process. The Research Cycle suggested here will make it easier for students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are about 25,000 universities globally, including more than 4,000 in the US alone. So the number one message students need to understand when it comes to researching their college choices is- it takes time<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While students might think that there\u2019s just a single college out there that\u2019s perfect for them, in reality, there are certainly quite a few that will suit them very well. Having a balanced portfolio when it comes to shortlisting colleges is ideal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Widen the scope of college research <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Limited information about a prospective college can be problematic for any student. If they are just going by the ranking, or have set their heart on a particular location, or considering only the placements, it is not enough. They need to widen the gamut of their college research as there can be a number of suitable colleges for them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200dJeff Neill<\/strong>, Director of College Counseling at Graded \u2013 the American School of S\u00e3o Paulo says, far too frequently, students think that knowing the name of a college, the location of a college, or even that a college matches one of their search criteria is enough. Instead, they need to invest time in exploring colleges and understand what they are saying about themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students also need to explore their strengths and preferences, and realize that their choices could change during the application process. Jeff advises students to find multiple colleges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cIt is a dangerous pathway to go down, finding one and only one school that you think would be a good fit for you. There are going to be hundreds of schools that match your criteria.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Jeff Neill<\/strong>, Director of College Counseling at Graded \u2013 the American School of S\u00e3o Paulo in Brazil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Self-exploration: the other side of the coin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before they even start thinking about universities, students need to think about themselves and understand what they\u2019re looking for in a college. Cialfo counselors can help students gain clarity about their college and career goals<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An extremely useful tool for students is the Fit Pie Chart<\/strong>, which is divided into three sections, reflecting the main categories into which a university\u2019s attributes and a student\u2019s preferences fall: academic, social, and financial. Jeff recommends that students try to work out how crucial each of those sections is for them \u2013 in other words, to what extent they prioritize each of those three factors when searching for a college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s as much a matter of who you are and getting to know yourself as it is about your getting to know universities,\u201d says Neill. \u201cSome of the self-exploration that\u2019s required of the college search process is in areas you\u2019ve never had to explore before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students are encouraged to narrow their focus by working out their priorities within the three broad target areas. Here\u2019s a gist of what each of them includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n