Finding Your Academic Fit

By Kate Sonnenberg:

College admissions consultants work with students to help them “build” their college list. But, there are a lot of amazing colleges and universities out there, so how do students choose which colleges to put on their college list?  One critical consideration is academic fit – the college must have the majors and programs that appeal to the student!  While some (usually large) universities admit students directly into a major, even those that do not often ask students what their intended major is (although “undecided” is typically an option). While non-binding, these are not throw-away questions on a college application – admissions officers want to admit students who have thought carefully about what they want to study, and they want to make sure the student will thrive academically at their college. A student who tells a college she wants to study neuroscience when that major is not offered at that college is not likely to be admitted!

 

But asking a 17 year old what they want to study can be daunting – they have had very little time to explore, let alone reflect on their interests.  As Princeton University advises its own students, “getting to know yourself is an important first step in selecting the right major.” They recommend students engage in a self-assessment, and “look for patterns in their responses that will help you identify your best fit.” There are many assessment tools that high school students can use, among them YouScience, Corsava and Innate Assessment. Here are a few questions that students should consider, even if they decide not to take a formal assessment:

 

What do they like to do in their free time?

What kinds of books are they drawn to? Same question for movies and tv shows.

What classes have been their favorite?

Which teachers or classes motivate them?

What kinds of assignments do they like best?

What kinds of assignments do they find the easiest/the most difficult?

How do they work best? Alone? In small groups? In teams?

What would their friends say their strengths are? Same question for their parents.

What kind of people do they like to hang out with? Why?

What do they consider the most pressing problem facing the world (or their community) right now?

If they could change one thing in their community, what would it be and why?

 

Students should take time to really think about these questions, and an equal amount of time to really think about their answers. They are likely to evolve as students mature as college students, but these questions are a starting point for students as they begin to think about what they want to study in at college. A student who has thought critically about these questions will be a more thoughtful applicant, and, in turn, increase the likelihood of choosing a college that is a good academic fit.

 

 

About Kate Sonnenberg:

Kate Sonnenberg, of KS College Success, is a graduate of Princeton University and the Columbia University School of Law. Prior to launching KS College Success, Kate worked as an application reader in the Princeton University Admissions Office, where she read thousands of undergraduate applications. She also volunteered for nearly a decade with the Princeton University Alumni Schools Committee and chaired the committee that interviewed students in Essex (NJ) and Hudson (NJ) counties. In addition to practicing law in New York and Seattle, Kate taught legal writing at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law in Washington, D.C. and English Composition at the National University of Singapore.

 

Kate is a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association and the New Jersey Association for College Admission Counseling. She regularly attends conferences, seminars and webinars and has personally visited over seventy-five colleges, where she often meets with admissions representatives to get the inside story about college admissions trends. Go to https://www.kscollegesuccess.com/ to learn more about Kate.

 

If your student could use guidance on getting started with the college application process, please book a free consultation with us to learn more about how Versed Advisors can help families through this process.

 

For additional insights, check out our blogs:

Guide to the Common Application

5 Simple Tips to Writing a Great College Application Essay

Crafting a Cohesive College Application

Does My Child Need a Private College Advisor?

 

Subscribe to our Newsletter 

Receive inside track information on college admissions process, high school and middle school planning, general pre-college guidance, and be the first to know about our events and announcements.