Keep an Open Mind: What Actually Matters in the College Search

One of the hardest parts of the college search isn’t building a list. It’s letting go of the idea of a list you thought you wanted. Many students start the process focused on a handful of easy-to-compare markers: name recognition, rankings, acceptance rates, or where friends are applying. It makes sense; those numbers feel concrete, reassuring, and objective. They offer shortcuts through a process that can feel overwhelming. But shortcuts rarely lead to the best outcomes.

Education journalist Jeff Selingo put it perfectly when he wrote:

“Colleges compete on the easiest-to-compare numbers—acceptance and placement rates—not on what most shapes student success: the first-year experience, quality teaching, mentoring, and access to experiential learning. Rankings thrive because they offer a shortcut through the noise.”

The problem? The things that matter most in college success are often the hardest to see from the outside.

What Students Think Matters (At First)

Early in the search, I often hear students say they want:

• A “top”, “good”, or highly ranked school

• A low acceptance rate (because it must mean quality, right?)

• A name everyone recognizes

• A campus that looks good on Instagram

None of these are wrong. But they’re incomplete.

What Actually Shapes a Student’s College Experience

Over time, and with better questions, students start to realize that what really matters looks more like:

• How supported they feel during their first year

• Whether professors are accessible and invested in teaching

• The availability of mentorship, not just advising

• Opportunities for internships, research, performance, or hands-on learning

• A campus culture where they feel comfortable taking risks and asking for help

These aren’t numbers you’ll find neatly packaged in a ranking table. They require curiosity, reflection, and, yes, an open mind.

Why Keeping an Open Mind Matters So Much

Some of the strongest college fits I see each year come from schools students initially dismissed:

• “Too small”

• “Too far”

• “Not prestigious enough”

• “I don’t know anyone who goes there”

And yet, once they dig deeper, these schools often check the boxes that actually matter to them, academically, socially, and emotionally. An open mind doesn’t mean saying yes to everything. It means being willing to question your assumptions.

Better Questions to Ask During the Search

Instead of asking:

• How selective is it?

• Where is it ranked?

Try asking:

• How do students describe their first year here?

• Who teaches introductory classes?

• What support exists when students struggle?

• How easy is it to get involved early?

• What kinds of students thrive here and why?

These questions don’t produce quick answers. But they produce better ones.

The Goal Isn’t the “Best” College

There is no universally “best” college. There is only the place where you are most likely to grow, be challenged, supported, and prepared for what comes next. Keeping an open mind doesn’t lower your standards. It raises the quality of your decision.