How to Guide Students in Choosing Colleges

Explore key factors for advising students on college choices, including academic programs, campus culture, costs, and location. Learn how OneGoal’s quality enrollment framework supports students in finding the right postsecondary fit.

Attending college can be a transformative experience for a high school graduate. Not only does it benefit their personal, academic, and professional growth, but it is also an investment for their future. In our role as educators, we have to make sure that we give students the resources they need to make this life changing decision. It can be challenging at such a young age to make such an impactful choice, so our guidance is crucial to a student’s good decision making. There are many moving parts that can affect a student’s understanding of what constitutes a good choice in the college admission process, from awareness of different college academic programs to fully realizing the cost of college. It is our duty to guide and educate students throughout the process to ensure they choose their best postsecondary fit to fulfill their educational investment.

As a OneGoal Program Director, or an educator who teaches the OneGoal program in a school, one of the most exciting times is when a student (Fellow) is deciding which college to attend. At the start of their senior year, their second year in the OneGoal program, we kick off the year discussing their college aspirations. Some Fellows dive right in, fearless and excited, while others feel apprehensive and anxious about the commitment. These emotions are healthy to explore, as this is a time to apply the knowledge the Fellows accumulated during their first year in the OneGoal program on what makes an institution a quality enrollment fit.

There are several ways a high school can help a student begin the college exploration adventure. This blog post explores the essential factors that influence a student’s college decision, including academic programs, campus culture, location, and college size. We will also discuss key factors to consider when advising students on their college choices. Students MUST be able to make a well informed decision, and this is where our guidance is invaluable.

Understanding
Academic Programs

High school counselors play a pivotal role in supporting students’ academic development and, as such, schools rely on their expertise. Throughout the course of a student’s high school career, counselors will have numerous interactions with students, all of which help to shape and form a student’s final college choice. In the student’s journey toward picking a best-fit college, helping them find an academic program is key.

• Online Major Guide: High school counselors help students review online guides for majors in college that align with their academic and career interests.
• Interest Survey: Teachers can also assist by utilizing interest surveys while in the classroom.
• College Admin Talks: Counselors can invite college admissions representatives to visit the school in person or virtually, which can give students the opportunity to ask questions and gain more insight on academic programs.
• Alumni Events: Another useful tool is alumni events, which can provide current students with valuable insights and perspectives about college life and majors from current college students who attended their high school.
• Summer Program: High schools can also help students find summer programs that align with their interests and that can strengthen their college applications.

All high schools should provide helpful, additional support and guidance for underrepresented students, such as those who are first generation, are from low-income communities, or are students of color.

Even with the guidance and support of educators and counselors, students will ultimately pick their own major. However, not all students choose college and they should be aware that there are other postsecondary pathways. These include progressive pathways or ProPaths, which are non degree programs like trade schools, apprenticeships or certificate programs.

City Colleges of Chicago offer several ProPath options from Accounting Clerk to Web Design and everything in between. Every student’s aspirations are unique and individualized. Students should consider what factors are most important to them, and be vocal about it, which will help educators and counselors find the resources to best serve the student. An open ear and a desire to understand the student’s needs are critical services that an educator can offer to a student in this process.

Understanding
Quality Schools

Finding the right major is an important factor when advising a student on a best-fit college, but the quality of a school is a factor that can seem daunting for a student to assess. Educators and counselors should spend significant time educating students on how to evaluate the quality of schools.

Faculty credentials

These play a pivotal role in the accreditation process and significantly enhance student learning outcomes. Not only does this validate an institution’s commitment to a student’s success, it impacts student retention and learning outcomes. The higher the percentage of full-time faculty a college employs, the more likely it is that a student will have positive interactions with their professors.

Retention Rate

A college’s retention rate measures how many students return for their second year of college, and indicates if a school is living up to the expectations they set when recruiting students. Retention rates are a key indicator of student and university success. A low retention rate can indicate that a college does a poor job of engaging students, does not provide adequate financial aid, or does not support students once they are on campus.

Understanding
Campus Culture

Campus culture at the college level refers to the norms, values, traditions, and social practices that define its environment. The environment is unique to every college but most importantly, it shapes the college experience for students. It can significantly influence students’ academic and social experiences, which are vital to students’ success.

When advising students on their postsecondary options, ask the student, “Do you want to stay on campus or commute from home?” This answer goes a long way to know how to steer the student in the right direction. If a student chooses to live on campus, it becomes their new home, and ensuring a healthy and enriching campus environment helps students feel truly at ease. Some things to consider are:

• Student Demographics – What are the statistics on the student body, including racial, ethnic, gender, and international diversity?
• Diversity Initiatives – What diversity programs does the school offer? Are there offices dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion?
• Student Organizations – What types of student organizations, clubs, and societies are available on campus? This includes varsity sports, intramural sports, fitness centers, and recreational activities.
• Mental and Emotional Well-being Center – Does the campus offer a wellness center? A positive campus culture that prioritizes mental health and provides resources for support helps students manage stress and thrive.

Although this list seems detailed, the campus culture can make or break a student. So how can educators and counselors help? It all starts with a conversation with a student. Asking questions about their needs is key, especially if they are going away for college. Students need to feel a sense of belonging. High school counselors can also conduct college visits, which allow students to tour campuses and meet with admissions representatives. If a high school does not have the funds for college tours, college admissions representatives can also virtually visit and give a virtual tour of the campus. We want students to persist in college, so finding the best personal fit for a student is imperative.

Considering Location

When choosing a college, it’s important for students to consider how the location aligns with their academic goals, lifestyle preferences, career aspirations, and personal comfort. The location of a college can influence many aspects of a student’s experience, including how often they can travel home for breaks, available internship opportunities, and the difference between rural and urban settings.
Many students, including Onegoal Fellows, have never left their city, so going away for college can influence their success. When advising the student, educators and counselors must be prepared to explain that considering distance is vital to student success.

Rural Areas

Colleges in rural locations often have strong connections to specific industries, such as agriculture or environmental science. These areas typically have a lower cost of living, which can make college more affordable overall. Smaller college towns can offer a close-knit community feel, with the college often being the central focus of social and cultural life. However, students may need to have personal transportation, potentially adding to the cost and logistical considerations.

Students may feel safer and more comfortable in certain environments, impacting their overall well-being and academic performance, so being transparent is important when advising. Advisors should be aware that some colleges offer summer bridge programs that allow a student to stay at the campus for weeks so that the student can make a more thoughtful decision on the location of their postsecondary education.

Understanding Cost
and Financial Aid

Data shows that 51% of students drop out of college because they cannot afford it. College affordability is a complicated challenge. Tuition has steadily increased over the past several decades, and state and federal financial aid has not kept pace with these increases.

It is imperative that educators and counselors dedicate time to inform students and their families of the cost of college and how to apply for financial aid, scholarships, and grants.

FAFSA

In the state of Illinois, it is required that students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. If a student maximizes the aid, they will receive the Federal Pell Grant, which is awarded to undergraduate students who display financial hardships.

Work Study

Students can also apply for Work Study, which will provide the student with a part-time job at the university and can help them earn money while in school.

Scholarships

There are a myriad number of scholarships available, such as merit based or need based. These scholarships can be institutional or non-institutional awards that thousands of organizations offer for students of all levels.

Federal Student Loans

Loans are also an option. High schools should make students aware of repayment requirements and how interest for these loans accrue.

Financial Aid Workshops

High schools can help students and families by hosting financial aid workshops and provide resources for financial literacy.
There are also online college estimators that can help students determine the college affordability.

Postsecondary
Advising Program

OneGoal’s curriculum is committed to Quality Enrollment and offers practical insights and best practices to help educators support their students in finding the best postsecondary fit. There are four components to OneGoal’s Quality Enrollment framework: Personal Fit, Academic Match, Completion Supports, and Financial Fit. This framework individualizes each student’s aspirations and reduces a plethora of college options into a “best fit” list. Currently, OneGoal Fellows graduate at about 1.5 times the rate of their peers from similar backgrounds. By implementing the OneGoal Program, educators and counselors can better prepare their students for successful college experiences and future careers.

Guiding Students
in College Decisions

Advising students on the best college choice involves considering a range of factors tailored to each student’s unique needs, preferences, and goals. These important factors are academic, financial, social, and personal. By understanding the student’s goals, evaluating their financial needs, exposing them to extracurricular opportunities, and encouraging campus visits, advisors can help students make an informed decision about their college future. Ultimately, it is the student’s decision, but it is our duty to be transparent and dedicated to our students.

Monica Selagea grew up in Chicago and attended Columbia College in Chicago and DePaul University. She is currently a high school teacher in Chicago and a Program Director for OneGoal. She also teaches at the City Colleges of Chicago.

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