How to Find a "Best Fit" College for You

Finding the right University can cause families much anxiety these days. As programs become more and more competitive students feel the need - and are receiving advice - to apply to more and more schools. Meanwhile the cost of applying to and auditioning for so many schools can become prohibitive for some students. So what is the answer? Families should strive for a “quality vs. quantity” approach and focus on a college list that best serves your family's needs and the student's interests.

Your process needs to be focused on "fit" and answer the question "will I fit into this program AND will this program fit me!"

So how do you find a program that "fits"? 

Think Outside the "Lists"

Top 10 lists or other ranking systems rarely tell you much about a program. What data are the authors using to come to their conclusions? Is it based on student success? Such as the number of graduates working on Broadway or in regional theatre? Their stellar faculty? These are all valid criteria but how is this data used to rank a program?

Usually rankings are based on “reputation” - the beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something - which is extremely subjective!

There are literally hundreds of programs out there and to limit your dreams to someone else's beliefs and opinions is doing yourself a disservice.

Look at Their Graduates

If you want to know what a school values, look at their graduates. The graduates represent the training being offered.

What are their strengths? What are their weaknesses? What is their work ethic? Do they get hired over and over? This last one is probably the most important... Anyone can get hired once but to have a career you have to be hired over and over and over! Which schools’ graduates have long term careers in the field? 

Don't Waste Your Time and Resources on a Program that Doesn't Fit

When putting together your “list” be sure the schools fit you based on your strengths and what you are looking for in a program. Don’t be influenced by all the “hype” surrounding top programs. If your strengths don’t match what these programs are looking for you are wasting your time, your money, and setting yourself up for needless heartache!

Be realistic - rely on your teachers, your counselors, and your own intuition when making your list. You can get an amazing education and increase your talent at numerous programs. Find a program that values your talents and strengths!

Find an Environment that Fits

You need to be looking at the University as a whole and making sure that the program fits you in a variety of ways. How challenging are the academics? How competitive is it to get in? What is your estimated cost and how much financial aid do they offer? Does the curriculum excite you? Do the extra-curricular activities offer something that interests you?

Do you like a high pressure, cut throat environment? Great! There are programs out there for you.

Do you need a nurturing environment? Great! There are programs out there for you.

Do you like to experiment and need the freedom to do that? Great! There are programs out there for you.

Again, there are literally hundreds of great programs in Colleges and Universities across the country. In small towns and big cities, on the East Coast, West Coast, in the South and the Midwest. Do you crave the beach or the mountains? Do you own snow boots or only flip flops? These are all things that can play into your decision. Do your homework, look beyond the “Lists” and find the perfect fit for YOU!