College Selection Criteria: Non-Core Factors

Level 5 - Ivy League

Welcome! We are continuing our series on college selection and walking you through the steps needed to select a college.

Previously, we focused primarily on the “core” components of the selection process, but we pivot toward the non-core selection criteria. 

When we say non-core, we mean that these are not determinative factors. You would not choose a college based on these criteria. But you WOULD narrow down your options based on your preferences.

Before we dive into what these preferences are, let’s dive into how these preferences should (and should not) be used.

How non-core preferences should be used

If you speak to students about why they are choosing colleges, they will often offer a lot of reasons that are not purely academic or career oriented. Some of the best we have heard:

• My significant other is going to that school

• It’s far away from home

• I can continue to have lunch with my Mom

• I heard it’s a great party school

• SEC Football

• My dad went there!

None of these are bad reasons to attend a given college, so long as the colleges on your list already meet your academic standards.