What is "Match and Fit"?
When exploring your college options, you might hear about finding your "Match and Fit". This is a super simple way of lumping the factors you might think of down to two concepts:
Match: Your likelihood to be admitted based on factors such as test scores (e.g. SAT) and academics (GPA); in other words, this is what the COLLEGE wants
Fit: Whether the college meets your academic, social, financial, and other needs; in other words, this is what YOU want based on your own personality and preferences
Some factors to consider when finding the right "Fit" for you:
Match: Your likelihood to be admitted based on factors such as test scores (e.g. SAT) and academics (GPA); in other words, this is what the COLLEGE wants
Fit: Whether the college meets your academic, social, financial, and other needs; in other words, this is what YOU want based on your own personality and preferences
Some factors to consider when finding the right "Fit" for you:
- Cost - Can you afford it?
- Type of college - Vocational? Community? University? Or one of many, many more options?
- College setting - Rural, suburban, or urban?
- Size of college - Small, medium, or large?
- Areas of study/majors - Do they offer what you want to study, the way you want to study?
- Programs offered - What special opportunities exist that will enhance my experience and help me grow as a person?
- Campus life - What are the social opportunities?
- Academic Life - What are the academic opportunities and supports?
Your College Personality
Before thinking about colleges, think about yourself. Begin by taking the College Personality Quiz.
Campus Tours
One of the best ways to know if a college is the right "fit" for you is to visit and get a feel for the college, and get answers to many of your pressing questions. Check out the Big Future College Visit Guide to get started.
College Search Tools
- Use the Big Future College Search too to find colleges that might be right for you
- Compare up to three colleges side-by-side with the Big Future comparison tool
- Use the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard to research colleges
- Take a virtual tour using your Xello account
Your Xello Account
To access your FREE Xello account through your school, click on your school district's link below, then use your school username and password to login.
For more information, be sure to talk to your school counselor.
Tips and Resources for Parents:
Support Your Child's College Search
• Learn how to determine the best “college fit” for your child. Help your child research potential “fit” colleges.
• Compare your child’s educational plan with college entrance requirements.
• Make sure your child understands that you expect them to go to college.
• Schedule campus tours and visits to your child’s narrowed down college list.
• Attend information sessions and college nights sponsored by your child’s school.
Virtual Campus Tours www.campustours.com
College match www.bigfuture.collegeboard.com
• Compare your child’s educational plan with college entrance requirements.
• Make sure your child understands that you expect them to go to college.
• Schedule campus tours and visits to your child’s narrowed down college list.
• Attend information sessions and college nights sponsored by your child’s school.
Virtual Campus Tours www.campustours.com
College match www.bigfuture.collegeboard.com
