Have you noticed that every college brochure looks the same? A group of diverse students sit beneath an oak tree, laughing and looking like they are the best of friends just taking a break from their serious studies. A professor and a student in white coats and goggles focus on a beaker of green liquid in a modern lab. “World-class faculty” teach in a “vibrant campus community.”

The problem is that you can’t distinguish one college from another by looking at the brochures or even superficially browsing the website. If you really want to know if a college could be right for you, you’ve got to do a little digging. Don’t worry. I’ve got the shovel in the form of a research template that will help you dig deeper.

My research template helps you create an individual profile for each college that goes way beyond the basics. Instead of just noting location and majors, you’ll discover what current students actually think by reading their campus newspaper, connecting with recent grads on LinkedIn, and diving into authentic social media content. You’ll uncover the real campus culture and figure out if the academic environment matches your learning style.

By the time you finish researching each school this way, you’ll know which ones genuinely excite you. No more guessing—just good choices based on schools where you can picture yourself thriving. Instead of relying on the questionable methodology of the big rankings, you’ll create your own personalized rating system. Ready? Here’s the template:

College Research Profile Template

[COLLEGE NAME]

Basic Info

• Location & setting:
• Size & acceptance rate:

Academic Fit

• Majors/minors/programs that interest you and which school they’re in:
• Special opportunities (honors, study abroad, 3+3, 4+1):
• Student-to-faculty ratio & average class size:

What Students & Alumni Say (pick 2)

• Student newspaper (what stories/issues come up?):
• Niche.com or Reddit observations:
• Social media glimpses (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube):
• LinkedIn conversations with recent grads:

Campus Culture (pick 2)

• Fiske Guide observations:
• Mission statement (what does it actually mean?):
• Extracurriculars that caught your eye:
• What’s the social vibe?

Practical Stuff

• What’s the sticker price for the cost of attendance? What’s the average COA after financial aid?
• Post-graduation outcomes (jobs, grad school, etc.):

Your Gut Check

• What excites you about this school?
• Any concerns or red flags?
• Questions you still have:

Bottom Line

• Good match for you because:
• Might not work because:
• Interest level 1-10 (10=highest interest):

Of course, you can tailor this template to your own needs. If you want to be sure there’s an ice rink nearby where you can play some recreational hockey, add that to the research. If you’re looking for a 3+3 B.A. to J.D. program or a 4+1 M.B.A., add that in. 

Don’t base your applications on what you “heard” is a good school, or on how much TV coverage they get for football, or what’s popular (the South right now). This research approach sets you up for writing those supplemental essays that ask “Why Us?” because you’ll know why you’re applying. But the biggest benefit to digging deep into the complexity of colleges is that you’ll apply confidently to schools where you know you can learn, grow, and be happy.

Questions?

For questions about this tool or the help with the transition from high school to college, contact Karen Hott at khott@twobridgescc.com or 410-353-5617.