When you’re choosing a college, it’s about more than rankings, location, and the strength of your intended major. It’s also about finding places where you feel like you belong – colleges where you’ll thrive academically, socially, and personally. Finding your fit can take time. At first, this may seem overwhelming, but breaking the process down into steps can make it more manageable. You might start with broad factors like location within the country; whether you prefer a rural, suburban, or city setting; the size of the school; and the academic offerings. Once you have a list of potential schools, taking a closer look at a college’s mission and values can help you better determine whether it’s a place where you’ll feel at home and do well.
Understanding a College’s Mission and Values
Every college has a mission statement that outlines its core values and purpose. This statement often reflects the institution’s academic philosophy, community priorities, and approach to education. By reading it, you can gain insight into a college’s priorities and whether those priorities align with your own.
Where to Find It
Mission and values statements are typically on the college’s website, often on the About or Mission & Values page.
What to Look For
Think about it – does the school prioritize things that matter to you? Some common themes may include research, service, leadership, diversity, innovation, or global engagement. Whatever the values are, what truly matters is whether these values resonate with you!
How to Use It
Have you thought about your own values? Can you identify your own educational and personal goals? Once you’ve done this, it’s time to compare the college’s values with your own goals. If a school prioritizes hands-on learning, small discussion-based classes, or community-based initiatives, consider how those elements fit with what you want from your college experience.
Connecting Personal Values to Institutional Missions to Determine Fit
To illustrate how a student might connect with a college’s mission and values, let’s explore the statements of two different universities:
Example 1: Georgetown University
Georgetown’s mission emphasizes educating students to be “reflective lifelong learners,” “responsible and active participants in civic life,” and to “live generously in service to others.” The university’s core values include a commitment to social justice, diversity, and the integration of mind and heart in education.
If you’re passionate about community service and aspire to engage in initiatives that promote social justice, Georgetown might be a good fit for you. The emphasis on being a “person for others” and engaging in civic responsibilities can provide a nurturing environment for your aspirations.
Example 2: Boston University
Boston University prides itself on a history of inclusion, having admitted students regardless of race, creed, or gender since its founding in 1839. The university’s values include teamwork, diversity, equity, inclusion, integrity, and innovation.
If you value being part of a diverse and inclusive community that encourages innovation and integrity, BU’s mission and values resonate with these priorities. The university’s commitment to diversity and its history of breaking barriers can offer a supportive environment for students from all backgrounds.
Bonus: This “Fit” Research Can Help with College Essays!
Later in the application process, many colleges will ask some version of the “Why This College?” question in their supplemental essays. The connections you make after reading a college’s mission statement can help you craft a compelling response. Instead of generic statements about a school’s prestige or location, you can reference specific programs, values, or initiatives that genuinely align with your interests and goals.
Develop a Deeper Understanding to Find the Right School for You
Researching colleges goes beyond statistics and campus visits. By exploring a school’s mission statement, you can gain a deeper understanding of what life may be like on campus and whether it aligns with your own aspirations. Not only will this research help you find right fit colleges, it may also give you valuable material to strengthen your college applications.
So, as you build your college list, take some time to go beyond the basics. The more you understand about a school’s culture and values, the better prepared you’ll be to make a confident and informed decision – and to even write standout essays when the time comes!
Looking for help with the college search and application process? We help students and families through the entire college planning journey – from search, applications and essays to interview prep, financial aid consultation and final school selection.
Contact us at info@signaturecollegecounseling.com or by phone, 845.551.6946. We work with students through Zoom, over the phone and by email.
