You probably started high school dreaming of attending a specific college and then changed your mind 10 times since then. The frenzy over college that begins junior year in addition to the uncertainty and stress makes choosing a school seem even more daunting. 

From all the 5,300 universities and colleges in the U.S., how are you going to choose the one that is right for you? The truth is, finding the right place for you is not as hard as it seems. You are bound to be happy in more than one school, you just have to be determined and do your research. 

Know yourself and determine what your priorities are in every aspect of the college experience. If you know what characteristics you’re looking for when researching colleges, this preliminary search shouldn’t be hard. 

What to consider when searching for colleges:

01

Cost

Have a sit with your parents early on to discuss how you are going to finance for college. Even if the college you want to assist is over your price range, always do your research and look for external scholarships and financial aid that might be offered. 

Public colleges can be much more affordable than private colleges when you are an in-state student.

02

Campus location

You have to determine how far you are willing to go and what transportation is available to you. For example, if you are an out-of-state student who goes to UC Santa Barbara, you probably have to fly into the small airport in Santa Barbara or land in Los Angeles and take a bus for at least 2 hours to arrive on campus. 

 

Do you want to live in a college town in a suburban area? Or do you want to attend a college that blends in with the city? You also have to determine if the weather is something you need to prioritize. A student going from a Florida ‘winter’ to the Boston winter might not be prepared for the cold they are about to affront. 

 

03

Size

A smaller school is probably going to have fewer services and club variety than a bigger school. The classes offered and the number of people per class will be determined by the size of the school. Big colleges are likely going to have a more diverse variety of classes, but more people per class, and small colleges less diversity in classes but fewer people per class.

04

Academics and majors

For example, if you are interested in business, it might not be a bad idea to apply to a business-specific school like Babson College. 

Try applying to schools that have a lot of programs and majors available in a couple of areas that are of interest to you. To determine what academic path you would like to pursue, try thinking about what classes you like the most and generalize them to subjects to research what schools offer programs in that subject area. 

05

Admission chances

According to these statistics, group schools in three categories depending on your chances of getting in: safety, match, and reach. Since U.S. college applications are holistic, even if your grades and test scores don’t match a certain school’s profile, the rest of your application could make you a qualified applicant. A good rule of thumbs is that 

    • Safety schools statistics should be below yours
    • Match schools statistics should be around the same as yours
    • Reach schools should have statistics above yours

Schools with less than a 15% admission rate should be considered a reach for most students, after all these are highly competitive.

06

Extracurriculars

May that be from finding your cultural tribe through a club if you are an international student or finding people in your career that are interested in the same things you are. Clubs are important to help you expand your social circle and to network. 

You should have a conversation with your school coach and your counselor if athletics is extremely important for you. 

If joining a fraternity or sorority is important to you, determine which university’s greek life aligns with your personal values and will give you the experience you want.

07

Statistics

If you are looking for diversity in every aspect, taking a look at the statistics will help you understand what type of population a school has. Niche is a great online service that has a lot of student body statistics like ethnic populations, political views, the type of students that attend the university, and the faculty to student ratio. 

Consider what percentage of people have a job after graduating and how much they are getting paid to see what your plausible future might look like. 

You can use the following tools to look for colleges:

  • College fairs:
    • Attend any college fair that your school makes available. It’s a chance to find colleges that you otherwise wouldn’t have found. Take advantage and ask questions while visiting as many booths as you can. 
  • Emails:
    • A lot of colleges usually recruit students through email. Check your email constantly and see if any of the schools sparks your interest.
  • Look for schools in online databases:
    • Online services like College Board’s Big Future services can help you determine a good fit for you. After completing a questionnaire, it will usually give you good choices according to what you’re looking for. 

Gather both qualitative and quantitative data. This means to not only look into the statistics, but also gather general perceptions of the school from its students. Look up reviews of the schools you might like and determine if the reviews sit well with you. Like mentioned above, Niche offers some insight on the type of students and vibe the university has. Consider asking students you know who currently are enrolled at the university about their experiences. Most of them will gladly give you details on what it’s like attending that school and answer your questions. 

If you have the resources to do so, visiting colleges on your final list is always a good idea. It helps you feel the environment and determine if it’s a place you can flourish in. Another thing you can do if you have the means is to hire a college counselor to polish your college list and have them recommend a school of best fit for you. Maybe they open the doors to colleges that you had no idea were a possibility or even existed. 

No matter what colleges you intend on pursuing, always give all your effort during high school. Make sure you are getting yourself involved in school and finding after-school activities, like getting a job or volunteering opportunities. This will not only make you a great application, but it will help you grow as a person and become the best you. Most universities will offer a lot of opportunities for you to grow, but it is up to you to take advantage of them in the university you choose.

Download this template you can use to conduct thorough research that will help you compare and contrast all the schools that you might be interested in.

18 Actionable Tips on How to Get Hired Fast in 2021

The job search process can be long and difficult, especially without any guidance. Our brand new guide breaks down the most important pieces of the job search process and helps you get hired now. We cover how to use different types of resumes, how to ace an interview, how to curate your social media accounts, and how to follow up after a job interview.

1. Learn how to write a strong cover letter

Your cover letter should encompass who you are and your accomplishments while targeting the skills necessary for the desired position. You should highlight both hard and soft skills needed to excel in the position. Our guide walk you though the steps necessary to write an effective cover letter. We’ve even included various cover letter templates that help get you hired fast.

2. Quantify your experience on your resume

Your resume is your first impression. The guide provides some of the most common mistake job seekers make when writing a resume. It also explicates how to write a succinct yet informative resume.  Focus on showcasing your most impressive accomplishments reinforced by numbers that appeal to the job description. 

3. Create a remarkable “tell me about yourself” pitch

This pitch is likely one of the first questions you will receive in an interview. Many of our clients struggle with this question. However, it is very important that you have a prepared answer to this directive. The best way to answer this is to walkthrough your resume when you introduce yourself. Saying the right things during the first moments of the interview can be the key to leaving a positive impression. The Ultimate Guide to Getting Hired provides the best tools to construct the most impressive answer.

4. Properly prepare for every interview

Clients often admit that interviews are the hardest part of job searching. Meeting with a human resources administrator or potential employers can be nerve racking. However, there are a few tips we always recommend: research the company you are interviewing with, be aware of your body language, maintain eye contact, and remember you are interviewing them too! There are few things nothing more important than culture fit. If you don’t like your co-workers or the work environment, you will not be happy. Go in prepared and take time getting to know your potential coworkers.

5. Network, network, network

Many people get a job as a result of their network. Reach out to family members, friends, and coworkers and notify them you are looking to get hired fast. Let everyone know you are searching within a specific job market. You never know who may be able to help. You should also venture to reach out to people you don’t know! Our guide reviews the best ways to network while job hunting without putting you too far out of your comfort zone. Networking can help you learn more about the job market or even direct you to job postings you didn’t know about before. Networking can be a vital tool to finding your dream job.

6. Pay attention to social media

You may want to revamp your LinkedIn profile to reflect your professional goals and achievements. Include links to the organizations you worked for, any research or publications you have, and a brief description of the companies you’ve worked for. However, you should also pay attention to other social media accounts including Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc. Ensure your profiles on these platforms are private. However, certain things such as your profile picture, profile bio, or tagged posts may remain public. Keep all public-facing content professional and clean. 

7. Follow up!

There are tons of people job seekers applying for the same position as you. Following up is the best way to stand out from the crowd. However, make sure in the job description that they accept follow ups; some companies may explicitly state that they do not want job seekers to follow up on the application. Our guide provides templates to help you write a short yet effective follow up email to the hiring manager or recruiter.

8. Write an impressive cover letter

Cover letters are both a writing sample and a way to express interest in the organization. It is important to write a letter that is succinct and effective. Mention why you are applying for the job, what your qualifications are, and why you are a competitive applicant. Lucky for you, our Ultimate Guide to Getting Hired has a cover letter template to help you write an effective cover letter.

9. Compile references

In the final stages of the job application process, many potential employers will ask for a references. To expedite this process, consider compiling a list of individuals (coworkers, managers, bosses, professors, mentors) who can vouch for you. Having a list of individuals on hand will make this process easier for both you and your potential employers. 

10. Apply a lot and often

Although this part of the application process is far less glamorous, it is very important. Job postings open and close very quickly. It is important to check job boards as often as you can. You never want to the right job to pass you by.

11. Practice interview questions

Before you even have an interview on your calendar, you should be practicing common interview questions. A well-prepared interviewee impresses hiring managers and CEOs alike. They also are more comfortable and confident during the interview, leading to a more successful interview. 

12. Work with a career coach

Career coaches are hired to help you navigate the job search process. Great career coaches will source jobs for you, help you apply strategically, and coach you through every phone screen and interview. Career coaches can help you identify weaknesses in your career search and provide insider information to help you find your dream job quickly. Our career coaches will offer tons of guidance on how to bolster your opportunities and communicate your qualifications even before your interview with a hiring manager.

If you’re tired of the job search process and looking to get hired now, schedule a consultation with the Prepory career team and land your dream job.

13. Be proactive!

You don’t want to play hard to get. Employers are looking to fill positions as quickly as they can. As such, you should check your email often and answer phone calls as much as you can. Route your emails to your phone or download your email’s app to ensure you never miss an important opportunity. Promptness proves that you want the job and moves the often long process along.

14. Focus on your strengths

Think about what experiences, opportunities, research you have that makes you unique. Craft a message that properly communicates that specific strength. Use your resume, cover letter, and interview to highlight your unique strength. 

For example, “My experience working in Business to Business PR informs many of my sales tactics. As a PR professional, I relied on market research and data to find out what airlines needed and wanted to improve their fleet. I know I can utilize my knowledge of the market to inform prices and manage regional relationships.”

In this example, the applicant leverages her knowledge of the market to distinguish her application. She highlights a skill the business can use.

15. Use your free time to learn a skill

In a competitive job market, the more you can offer the better. Focus on acquiring skills that may be help you in your preferred industry. Learning a language or a software may help you stand out in the hiring process. 

16. Start immediately

Telling potential employers that you can start immediately not only paints you in a favorable light, it also speeds up your hiring process timeline. The earlier you admit to being able to start, the earlier you are hired.

17. Dress the part

Whether your interview is in person or online, it important to dress professionally. Your appearance is the first thing interviewers see. If you are dressed sloppily or too casually, it will be hard them to focus on anything else. Make sure your hair is styled, your facial hair is well-maintained or shaved, and invest in a good business suit. Even if the interview is online, make sure you are dressed professionally from head to toe. You never know when you may need to stand up—the employer may even ask you to do so. If you are unsure if you should be business casual or business professional, err on the side of caution and dress business professional.

18. Adjust for Coronavirus

The COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique set of challenges within the job search process. Job interviews have moved online and industries are changing overnight. Be sure to remain up to date on the latest information regarding the industry and how they are responding to challenges with regard to coronavirus. Additionally, prepare yourself for many Zoom interviews. Make sure you are taking interviews in a well-lit, quiet place with strong wifi. 

Need help adjusting? Our career coaches help job seekers through these uncharted waters with sound support and a host of resources to help them adapt.