Using your learning style in college admissions

As a student applying to college, you probably know your learning style. You know what works for you, and what doesn’t, what gets you an A and what gets you a C (or worse). Make sure you use this knowledge in your college search!

Your learning style may be different from that of a family member, a friend or a guidance counselor. Every college has a different style of teaching its undergraduates, and you should explore how you will fit in at the schools you apply to.

Think about your favorite teachers in high school. Are you a strong learner when you have a rapport with a teacher? Do you do better on your own? Many students at bigger, public universities often do not have as much opportunity to speak and work with professors. Professors simply do not have the time to offer help to students in such large classes. You may find yourself struggling for time, waiting in line for short and untimely office hours or dealing with less knowledgeable graduate teaching assistants. On the other hand, liberal arts colleges and private universities usually have smaller class sizes – allowing professors to spend more time working with students.

Do you work better by yourself? Or are you more of a team-player who thrives on group work? Be sure to explore college websites. In many cases, colleges offer profiles of courses and professors and you can see what kind of work they assign. Group projects are usually required in all college courses, but some will have more than others.

Finally, try to avoid using just one or two sources in your college search. Too often students rely on college rankings that really don’t apply to them. Just like with the news and politics, there is always more than one side to a story. Even your best friends and siblings will have different learning styles from you, so think for yourself.

If you still are unsure about how you might fit into classes at your favorite colleges, it never hurts to spend some time visiting schools and sitting in on classes. You may find that class sizes are just too big or too small, and it may change your mind.