Tips on choosing a college that best fits my high school activities

I’m trying to find a college that aligns with my high school activities and interests. How should I evaluate schools to ensure they support my passions and extracurriculars?

One of the foundational things you need to consider while evaluating colleges is to look for schools that have strong programs in line with your activities and interests. For example, if you've been heavily involved in technology-based activities in high school, look for colleges that have strong computer science or engineering programs and active technology clubs.

To find out more about a school's clubs and extracurricular offerings, check out each college's website. Usually, they have a page dedicated to student organizations and clubs which you can use to get an overview of the extracurricular landscape on campus.

Visiting campuses - either physically or virtually - can also be helpful. Not only can you get a feel for the general campus atmosphere, but you can also potentially chat with current students about the extracurricular opportunities they've pursued.

Also, keep in mind the concept of the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars. If you have Tier 1 or 2 experiences from high school, you might want to prioritize colleges that have similar high-level opportunities. Simultaneously, if you're more interested in Tier 3 or 4 activities, find colleges where you can continue these -- and maybe even move up a Tier or two.

Make sure that you resonate with the core values and culture of the institution. For instance, if you were involved in a lot of community service in high school, you might want to look for institutions with a strong emphasis on service and community engagement.

Lastly, while discussions with your high school counselor and college admissions officers at college fairs can provide valuable insights, resources like CollegeVine's school discovery tool can also be used to explore various colleges based on your interests.