beyond the brochure

Your mailbox, both physical and electronic, is inundated with college brochures. Some schools you’ve heard of, others are in places you never knew existed. Do you toss them in the recycling bin? Delete them with one click? Or do you look them up online?

Colleges purchase lists of student profiles they want to recruit. If a school is investing in printing and postage to send you a brochure, there is a nice chance they see potential in you (perhaps even a financially responsible future).

First Stop: University Websites
Your first instinct may be to check the school’s website for a virtual tour, which is a well-produced walk-through designed to showcase the campus. You’ll get a broad overview of academics, social life, campus infrastructure, sports and extracurriculars. You won’t always get a look inside buildings, but you may see glimpses of dorms, labs and lecture halls. Pay attention to spaces where students actually live and learn because this portrays daily life.   

At this stage, your goal is baseline knowledge. If the school intrigues you, great! Time to dig deeper. If it doesn’t feel right, cross it off your list with confidence.

Next Level: Beyond the Website
If possible, visit the campus in person to get a feel for the environment; walk through common areas, sit in a class, and observe how students interact. University-led tours are a great option, but you can walk around on your own, too. Connect with current students who can give you honest insights into daily life, academic pressure and social dynamics.  Additionally, research financial aid, scholarships and cost-of-living estimates. Understanding these details early on can help you determine whether a school is truly within reach academically as well as financially.

Taking the Next Step: Final Stages Before Applying
Once you have identified schools of interest, use outside sources for honest insights:

• Reddit: Real student perspectives on campus culture, collaboration vs competition, and social life
• RateMyProfessors: insights on academic rigor and teaching styles (keep in mind reviews skew extremely positive and negative!)
• YouTube: dorm tours, class experiences, and real student vlogs not produced by the university

For academic and career-specific insights:

• Faculty Research: Use Google Scholar and LinkedIn to explore professors’ work and expertise
• Student Organizations: Check social media to see how active clubs are and if you relate to the student body

Last Step: Can You See Yourself There
There are thousands of colleges, each with unique strengths and cultures. Take the time to look beyond the brochure and see if you can picture yourself thriving there. Don’t pressure yourself to go somewhere for any reason; if you are happy, you are more likely to be successful!