College Selection Tips & Advice for Students

When searching for best-fit colleges, size is often one of the first things that students consider. Many college-bound students already have an idea of what they’re looking for in a school before they start researching specific institutions. Maybe they prefer a large student body with endless possibilities, like what you find at public research universities. Perhaps a small campus with an intimate atmosphere is preferable — a characteristic of many private colleges. Going with your gut is a good place to start, but there are many pros and cons to certain college sizes that students might overlook when building their balanced college list. 

The value of a college degree is a topic of constant debate and often something families consider when preparing for the college admissions process. There is no denying that a college education is one of the most important investments families will ever make.

Students and parents often look beyond the prestige of name-brand schools and give more consideration to institutions with reputations for the best return on investment. If you’re looking for schools with great value and post-grad success, here is our list of schools with a great ROI!

Do you dream of writing a book or spend hours crafting poetic verses? Even if you have a natural talent for the written word, it never hurts to expand your knowledge and skills through a creative writing program in college. Here’s a look at some programs that will help aspiring writers improve their craft.  

For those enamored with fashion and the latest style trends, there are a few fashion-specific colleges that immediately come to mind when considering where to pursue a degree in fashion. However, there are several great fashion design and merchandising programs at large and small colleges across the country. If you’re looking to break into the fashion industry, look for programs that offer the education and experience you need to succeed. We’ve picked out a few for you here.

Students who are interested in attending a liberal arts college have a lot of options — just over 200 private institutions in the U.S., not to mention the liberal arts programs at many larger universities. All liberal arts schools specialize in a multidisciplinary curriculum, which can be a good choice for intellectually curious students with varied academic interests. Read on to learn about the 25 liberal arts schools that are popular with IvyWise students and what each has to offer. 

Do you rip powder on weekends? Spend your spare time spinning and jumping on the ice? Or maybe curling is more your style. If access to winter sports in between classes is a high priority in your college search, you might consider adding these schools to your best-fit list. 

The word “finals” strikes fear in the hearts of most students, as it’s the culmination of a semester’s worth of work and sometimes the determining factor of a final course grade. The end of the semester can be especially distressing for first-year students, who have never taken a college-level final before. Students may not know what to expect, and the anxiety can leave many feeling lost. 

Mechanical engineering involves the study of machines, materials, and mechanisms — that is, how things work. If you have a genuine interest in understanding how mechanical systems function and enjoy working with tools and machinery, this field may be a good fit. To be successful, you should enjoy tackling challenges, thinking critically, and finding creative ways to solve problems.

While meal choices shouldn’t be the biggest factor when it comes to enrollment decisions, top-tier dining options are always an asset. Many universities have revamped their menu offerings to provide students with diverse and high-quality food choices.

Whether you’re a die-hard carnivore or a passionate vegan, the best campus dining halls are dedicated to serving students with a variety of dietary preferences and lifestyles. Keep reading to learn more about the colleges with the best dining hall options. 

Cornell University is an Ivy League school in Ithaca, New York. Renowned for its cutting-edge research, Cornell is ranked 17th among U.S. universities by U.S. News and World Report. Founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, the university opened in 1868. Students who attend Cornell are known as Cornellians, and the university’s athletic teams are nicknamed “Big Red” after the football fight song, The Big, Red Team, was composed in 1905 by Cornell graduate Romeyn Berry. Today, Cornell is home to nearly 26,000 undergraduate and graduate students.