How To Determine Exciting colleges?

I’m putting together my college list and I want colleges that feel exciting. How do you determine which colleges are the most exciting? Is it based on the student culture, campus festivities, or something else?

The perception of what makes a college "exciting" will vary greatly from student to student, so you'll need to identify what factors are most important to you personally. For some, an "exciting" college experience could be about vibrant student culture, a bustling city location, or a wide variety of extracurricular activities and clubs. For others, academic rigor, research opportunities, or sporting events could be the crucial factor.

However, to better determine which colleges might be exciting for you, there are a few ways to get a feel for the environment and culture at different schools:

1. Student Reviews: Past and present students are often your best resource for understanding the student life on campus. Reading student reviews can give you a glimpse into the vibrant aspects of campus life, from quality of dorms and food to the energy of student-led organizations.

2. Campus Visits: If possible, consider visiting campuses. While COVID-19 has changed the landscape of traditional college tours, many colleges now offer virtual orientations, which can still give you a sense of the on-campus atmosphere.

3. Campus Events: Many schools will host events like music festivals, guest speaker series, film festivals, and all sorts of culturally enriching activities that could make the environment exciting for you.

4. Location: A city-based college will offer a very different living experience compared to a suburban or rural campus. Urban campuses may be considered more exciting due to their proximity to city attractions whereas rural campuses may offer unique outdoor experiences.

5. Athletics: If you're a big sports fan, a school with a competitive Division I athletics program might be exciting for you as these schools often have a significant portion of the student body involved in cheering on their teams.

Take some time to really investigate prospective colleges through the lens of the factors that excite you personally, and you'll likely find a set of colleges to apply to where you feel you could thrive and be excited to attend.