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Good colleges to go to
College search can be a daunting experience, especially if you are looking for the perfect college. You see, there is no perfect college—just a place where you can be happy and get a good education. The good thing is that there are plenty of universities where you can be happy, but you will have to work on narrowing down your options.
This isn’t just about researching colleges online. It’s about exploring who you are, what you want, and what you look for in colleges that meet your goals. Don’t worry because we are here to help. Let’s start by answering the question, “What should I go to college for?”
What should I go to college for?
Knowing what you want to go to college for will help narrow down your options. This way, you can pick universities that have your ideal majors. Some people already know what they want, but if you have no idea yet, you can start with some brainstorming. Try asking yourself these:
What are the things you enjoy doing?
Think about your hobbies and things you like to do, even outside school. Say you enjoy painting, then you can major in art. Dig deeper into what your passions, hobbies, activities, and favorite subjects are and see if a general theme appears. You might go to college for a major that will develop those characters and skills.
Here are some examples of possible courses based on your interests:
- Business-minded or entrepreneurial – economics, finance, or business
- Creative, art, visuals, writing – media, writing, design, film, or marketing
- Empathetic, people-oriented, helping others – education, social work, nursing, or psychology
- Curious about the world and how it works – sociology, environmental studies, or political science
- Tech and problem-solving – engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity
What kind of life do you envision for your future?
What is the future you imagine? Think about the steps you will need to take to make that future come true. Ask yourself what you would like to be doing or working on in the future. Do you want a meaningful career path? Do you want a job that pays a lot? Do you want to work for a big company? Or perhaps start your own?
What are your work experiences?
Your work experience can also give you an idea of what programs to take or classes to attend. If you’ve done volunteering, internships, or part-time/full-time jobs, think about what responsibilities from these jobs made you feel energized? Understanding what you liked and didn’t like about former jobs can guide you to a major you will enjoy.
Follow these tips, and when you finally pick what to go to college for, we can go ahead and learn to choose a college that can help you get the career and life you've always wanted.
What are the easiest and hardest colleges?
Now that you have an idea of what to major for, let’s explore some of the best colleges in the world. Let’s talk about the colleges you can get into the easiest and the hardest. Consider them in your college search process, taking in all possibilities and opportunities to make your dream come true.
According to univstats.com, the average college acceptance rate in the US is 58.08% in the 2023-2024 academic year. Public schools have a 63.61% average acceptance rate, while private colleges have a 50.70% acceptance rate. On the other hand, community colleges have a higher average acceptance rate of 75.36%.
The stats are a little concerning, but this is where you need to know which colleges give you a better chance at getting in. Check out our list below of the easiest and hardest colleges and their acceptance rates.
The easiest colleges to get into
The easiest college to get into is a school that will accept you even if you have below-average standardized test scores. Your chances of getting into such a school are not so bad as long as you choose correctly. You will have plenty of easy colleges to get into if you have an above-average GPA. The same could be said if your school is under guaranteed admission policies.
Keep in mind, however, that guaranteed admission policies are based on location. Some schools in certain states offer automatic admissions if you’re in the top 10% of your class or high enough GPA. Usually, there’s a minimum standardized test score for that, so keep that in mind.
Here are some of the easiest colleges to get into in 2025:
College of Staten Island CUNY – 100%
Albany State University – 100%
The University of Maryland Global – 100%
Excelsior University – 100%
The University of Texas at El Paso – 100%
Tennessee College of Applied Technology – Murfreesboro – 100%
Southeastern Louisiana University – 99%
University of Mississippi – 97%
California State University, Stanislaus – 97%
California State University, Fresno – 95%
The hardest colleges to get into
When talking about the hardest college to get into, there are several familiar names you will always come across. We’re sure you will come across MIT, Harvard, and Princeton among those names, but several other schools also belong in this category. Let us give you a list of the places that might be the right college for you.
Here are the hardest colleges to get into in 2025:
Harvard University – 3%
California Institute of Technology – 3%
Columbia University – 4%
Stanford University – 4%
Massachusetts Institute of Technology – 4%
University of Chicago – 5%
Yale University – 5%
Brown University – 5%
Princeton University – 6%
Dartmouth College – 6%
Factors to consider when choosing a college
How to choose a college to go to? Besides thinking about what you want to go to college for and the colleges that are easiest and hardest to go to, there are other factors to consider. They will help you ensure you have the best college experience once you graduate and get your high school diploma.
Location
You’re asking yourself, “Where should I go to college?” When it comes to the location of the school, you need to go beyond the campus. You also have to consider the surrounding area, so take the time to research it. Besides that, you want to think about whether you want to stay close to your family or not. The distance of the college matters when factoring in transport and accessibility for holidays and such.
Cost and fees
One of the most important factors to consider is the price of going to your chosen school. Keep in mind that you don’t have to pay the sticker price at the school you’re interested in, with the help of scholarships and financial aid. Plenty of scholarships are available locally that can help with your schooling.
Majors and minors
Every school has a different curriculum, so consider that when looking for the best college. After finding out the majors, minors, and concentrations you might be interested in, see if the schools you’re planning to enroll in offer them.
Campus life
When you tour campuses, make sure to feel its general atmosphere and the school spirit. You want to make sure the school is the best fit, so don’t forget to ask the important questions that will let you have a better sense of the campus lifestyle.
Safety
Safety is definitely one of the most important factors to consider when looking for a college. You want to make sure the surrounding area is safe. You also want to know what safety measures the school has. Take the time to ask about this when you visit a college you’re interested in.
Class size
Class size is important for better learning. You may want smaller classes or big lectures, it depends on your learning style and the relationship you want to have with your professors.
Extracurricular activities
If you’re interested in sports, theatre, music, or student government, then you might want to consider them in your college search process. College is the perfect time to explore new hobbies or rekindle old passions. Your college experience will be so much better if you can experience both sides of college life.
Academic support
How’s the academic support of the school? Do they have career services? How the college supports students while fostering independence is an important factor to consider in ensuring the school is a place where you will thrive.
Looking for the college to go to and deciding if that’s where you want to spend the next four to five years is tough. But once you know what major to take, which colleges are easiest and hardest to get in, and have the list of the factors to consider, your college search should be easier. You’re not short of excellent schools, so take it easy and choose well.
FAQ
Location and campus life are two factors you should consider if you want a great college experience. Location is important when it comes to transportation, whether you live outside of the campus or back home. It’s also essential if you want to live in a buzzing city with job opportunities or a rural school with a peaceful setting. Location matters in making sure you have a great overall college experience.
It’s a good idea to apply to several colleges. This way, you have options when you’re finally about to decide. Make a mix of colleges – schools you are confident you will get in and schools you think are more difficult because they're more selective. If you are only applying to schools with high acceptance rates, it’s okay not to apply to many. But if you want to apply to more selective schools, it’s best to apply to more schools since the odds of you getting accepted to them are about 50% or below.
It all depends on your learning style and personal preference. Just know that larger colleges have more academic programs and extracurricular activities. They also have extensive networking opportunities, so the chances of you getting employed in good companies after graduation are higher. The facilities and resources in larger universities are also aplenty. They also offer more events than smaller colleges.
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