It goes without saying that all good decision-making requires good research beforehand whether you are leasing a new apartment or buying a brand new computer – and applying to colleges is no different.

Your college education will be one of the most significant and expensive investments you will ever make in your lifetime so make sure you stay informed and do your research.

Know what your options are because, big or small, there will be differences so compare them to make the most optimal decision. This way you can choose the one that best aligns with your financial situation and educational goals.

Why it is important to do your research:

• Translates to stronger and more persuasive college essays.
• Signals your preparedness to admission officers.
• Make optimal financial decisions.
• Higher likelihood of sticking to your chosen major.

Overall, by doing your due diligence you can avoid being blindsided by events you could have prepared for with a simple Google search. There is also a good chance that our expectations will differ from reality so use this opportunity to gauge your understanding and plan accordingly.

It’s Easy as 1-2-3

Step 1. Consider what industry you are interested in. Although most students won’t know exactly what occupation they want to commit to for the rest of their lives, most will have at least a general idea of what type of work they are interested in. 

For example, maybe you see yourself working in healthcare versus business or law. I recommend using a top-down approach by starting broad and gradually becoming more specific. This way, you will begin to have a clearer picture with each step.

Step 2. Research available careers in this industry. Do a quick Google search to learn what types of occupations are in this field and hone in on those that interest you.

For example, if you’re interested in science or technology then maybe consider engineering (i.e., mechanical, electrical, software), computer science, or UX/UI design.

Alternatively, if you’re interested in healthcare then maybe consider medicine (any specialty), psychology, pharmacy, or healthcare management.

Step 3. Make a list of careers you are interested in. You will likely have many career interests in mind so write them all down. It is better to have too many options than too little so it is okay if you are loosely interested.

Step 4. Pick a career that excites you the most. There are many considerations to weigh such as salary, benefits, job growth, duties, educational requirements, and work-life balance. After vetting each career and understanding what they entail, choose the one that best addresses the questions below.

Answer the following questions to come to this conclusion:

• “Which one excites me the most?”
• “Can I commit to it for 25-30 years?”
• “Am I comfortable with the expected salary?”
• “Am I comfortable with the expected work-life balance?”
• “Is the annual job growth meeting the national average (~6%)?”
• “Is this an evergreen career – will there still be jobs in 10-20 years (petroleum vs. green energy)?”

Step 5. Research which majors are recommended for this career choice. Consider which course of study can best prepare you for this occupation and is common among professionals in this field.

For example, if you want to become a teacher then consider majors in (special) education, psychology, history, or English.

Keep in mind that there are many different ways of getting to the same destination. Luckily many occupations are not limited to any specific major so you will likely have options to choose from.

For example, occupations that require a pre-major, such as medicine or law, tend to be more flexible than others since any major can qualify as pre-med or pre-law. However, a background in a related study will best prepare you for the MCAT/LSAT.

I have known individuals who majored in biochemistry and dance, respectively, and became medical doctors. Alternatively, I have also known individuals who majored in history and chemistry, respectively, and became lawyers.

Step 6. Make a list of majors you are interested in. From your research, focus on a set of majors that made the cut and write it down. Find subjects you truly enjoy and look forward to in your college journey. They should be something you are passionate about and may want to turn into a career. 

Step 7. Pick the major that best aligns with your interests and goals. Keep in mind that you will be spending the next four years of your life to this major – and more if you are considering postgraduate study – so make sure this is what you actually want to do. I recommend this be a subject that complements your learning style. 

For example, if you don’t like subjects that are highly technical and formula-based then avoid majors like mathematics or the physical sciences and instead consider the social sciences, business, or law.

Consider the following questions:

• “Am I passionate about this subject?”
• “Am I comfortable with the expected workload?”
• “Am I willing to go into higher education?”
• “Am I willing to make the necessary sacrifices and lifestyle change?”
• “Is this something I really want to do?”
• “How much do I struggle in this subject compared to the average student?”

Step 8. Check the US News & World Report to see which accredited schools offer strong programs for this major. This website is an excellent resource for prospective applicants who want to learn more about these programs and can filter searches by geographic location, tuition, class size, and acceptance rate.

Related: Do colleges even care if you’re interested in them? Check out this article to learn which colleges factor demonstrated interest in the admission process.

Step 9. Learn what the concentration is at each university. Not all colleges are created equal just because they offer the same major. Some colleges will be research-oriented while others will prioritize certain concentrations so look into the curriculum and course catalog.

For example, psychology is considered a life science at UCLA and is reflected in its curriculum while the program at Columbia is focused on neuroscience and cognitive psychology.

Step 10. Compare each university. What are your priorities? What are your criteria for the “perfect” college? Is it the geographical location, city/nightlife, research/extracurricular opportunities, reputation, professors, class size, alumni network, or tuition/financial aid? These are some of the considerations you must weigh when comparing your options.

Step 11. Make a list of universities that meet your requirements. Based on the comparisons you made in the previous step, create a shortlist of colleges you are willing to attend, if admitted, and rank them from best to last (i.e., 1-10). 

This ranking system will make it easier to make a prompt and well-informed decision since you will already have done your research beforehand and know which universities are more beneficial to your financial situation and academic goals. 

For example, if your ranking system looks like this: 

• Harvard (#1), Columbia (#2), UCLA (#3), U Michigan (#4), Northwestern (#5), Duke (#6), Vanderbilt (#7), Rice (#8), UNC (#9), and U. Notre Dame (#10).

…And you were accepted to:

• Rice > UNC > U. Notre Dame

It also makes it easier to make a decision between relatively similar choices where the differences are negligible. In this example, Rice would be the better choice since your ranked list and research would indicate that it has a slight edge over the others.