College degree attainment is an important milestone for many students. Having a degree can mean greater financial earnings, and it’s even linked to a happier and healthier life. Despite earning an average of 35 percent less than those with a bachelor’s degree, nearly 20 percent of college goers at 4-year public institutions drop out; that number almost doubles at private schools. When it comes to retention, the problem isn’t necessarily the value of a college education, it’s school and degree program fit. 

The dropout rate is not the only startling statistic. The number of students who report high levels of stress regarding the admission process is growing. In fact, one report notes that among student stressors, workload is typically number one with the college admissions process coming in as number two. It may even be the case that difficulty with cumbersome applications is preventing students from going in the first place. One study found that 25 percent of students in the sample left their applications uncompleted, demonstrating that they showed an interest in degree attainment but never finished the process of applying. One solution is well-designed direct admissions programs, which lessens the burden for qualified students. Even so, the right fit still matters for college selection, retention, and student success. If schools, students, and families focus their attention on the following four factors, finding the right fit becomes far easier. 

Knowing the Facts

One of the biggest barriers for potential college applicants is what they know about their options. Doing research is a critical step in learning about schools and programs that would be a good fit. For example, students should know about all of the schools in a particular region of interest. They should explore schools by program, size, demographics, and more. They need details about the school community and admissions process. And, they should understand costs, including tuition, fees, and housing. Unfortunately, college and university websites are not easy to navigate, which is why tools and resources are necessary to explore during the researching phase. 

Managing the Process

Maybe the most important aspect of finding the right college and picking the right program is managing the process. Scholarship searching, deadline management, and essay writing can be stressful and taxing. Without support, tasks get left undone, due dates are missed, and anxiety looms. On their journey to the perfect fit, students have to pick programs, narrow their lists, and craft essays. Depending on the school, this may include preparing for the SAT or ACT and meeting the demands of a selective school. In any case, students who have access to scholarship banks, test prep, and essay feedback will excel more easily and quickly than students who don’t. They’re more likely to find their fit and gain access to the school of their dreams when systems are in place to support them.  

Understanding the Odds

Many school and college counselors encourage students to develop a diversified list of universities for which to apply. In other words, they want to see that students have “safe” schools that they are fairly sure will accept them as well as “reach” schools that are more of a stretch. That said, the future of college admissions for successful applicants is using data to make decisions and understanding the likelihood of admissions. Students who know that they have a certain percentage of a chance of getting into a school will not only understand the odds, but they’re also more prepared for denial. When they know that a school is a longshot, they’re less likely to be devastated when the acceptance letter isn’t what they hoped for. They’re also more likely to build lists based on successful admissions for students like them. 

Conclusion

Finding the right college fit isn’t easy. Not only is it harder than ever for students and families, there’s a growing perception that college isn’t necessary. The positive outcomes for college goers, on the other hand, are clear. What this means is that we need even more help for students on their journey to selecting the best-fit college than ever before. The good news is that technology tools, including AI, are emerging in this space with the potential to change the game for students who have access. 

If you’re interested in knowing more about helping students with college fit, gaining access to technology to support their selection and application process, or knowing more about how AI has evolved to provide information and feedback to students, schedule a free demo with us today.