College fairs are a great way to learn about multiple colleges all in one place. They give you the chance to have short, meaningful conversations with admissions representatives and gather information to help you decide which schools may be a good fit. But with so many schools, it can be difficult to know what to ask. 

Many college applications will ask you some version of, “Why do you want to attend this college?” At first, it can feel straightforward, but students often find it’s one of the hardest questions to answer well. 

Admissions counselors aren’t looking for perfect answers or praise about the institution. They’re looking for thoughtful, specific reasons that show you’ve taken time to understand the college. 

If you’ve started researching colleges, you’ve probably come across lists of college rankings. Rankings can feel like an easy way to compare schools—especially when choosing a college feels high-stakes. But, rankings only show one small piece of the picture. 

Understanding what rankings measure, and what they leave out, can help you make smarter, more informed college choices. 

For many students, talking about college with family can be one of the most challenging parts of the college search. You might feel pressure to have answers you don’t have yet—or worry that your goals won’t line up with what your family expects.

As you’re choosing a college major, you may encounter programs offered in both Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree programs. While both are undergraduate degrees, they offer different approaches to learning and career preparation. Here, we’ll explore the differences between the two so that you feel more equipped to select the best program for you and your goals. 

Fly-in programs offer a unique opportunity for prospective students to experience campus life firsthand. These programs, typically sponsored by the institution, are designed to provide an immersive experience that goes beyond the traditional campus tour.

Starting to plan for college shouldn’t just be focused on your senior year. In fact, you’ll be better set up for success and less stressed the earlier you begin. Here’s a checklist of all of the things you can do each year in high school to prepare for a successful college search and application process.

Many students feel like they should know what they plan to major in when they begin the college application process. However, for many students, the choice isn’t obvious, and that can lead to stress, anxiety, and embarrassment during the application process.

When looking through your college choices, it doesn’t just come down to acceptances; you’ll also want to consider overall fit to the college or university. You may consider academic, social, and financial fit, but you also want to consider personal, career, and geographic fit, as well!

Attending a college fair can be a great opportunity to get information from a variety of different institutions and learn what they have to offer. Here are some tips for how to make the most of a college fair: 

There are thousands of colleges out there for you to search through. This can be overwhelming, so we put together a list of the different categories of colleges that you may come across to help you narrow down exactly what you are looking for.

There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the country, all with different academic programs, extracurricular options, and campus traditions and cultures.

Consejos para encontrar universidades asequibles

Visiting a school is always a great way to learn more about it and consider whether the campus is a good fit for you. But sometimes—because of costs, time restraints, or travel logistics—visiting in person may not be possible.

Throughout your high school career, you will be aiming for college. And as one step toward that goal, we think you should consider scheduling your first college tour.

You’ve done the research and created a college list, but now you have to decide: Where do I apply? 

At the Coalition, we’re here to help you make smart choices when it comes to applying to college, and your first choice should always be: Apply to more than one school! In fact, we recommend applying to 6-10 schools, because applying to college means applying to colleges — and we encourage you to consider Coalition schools because of their commitment to access, affordability, and success.

Now’s the time to start thinking about colleges. But which ones?

Do you want a small liberal arts college on the East Coast? A big football university in the Midwest? A midsize engineering school on the West Coast?

Your college search means finding schools that line up with your interests, academic abilities, and future goals. There are thousands of schools out there, but only a few will be right for you.

Did you know? Applying to college means applying to colleges, plural.

In fact, we recommend you apply to 6-10 schools, so your list needs at least that many schools, in order to give yourself the best opportunity to make smart college choices.