Some students and parents dismiss campus tours as a scam. “Colleges are businesses,” they claim, “and a campus tour is a sales pitch.” While it may be true that campus tours are designed to highlight the qualities, facilities, and perks that colleges are most proud of, it’s important for students to explore the surrounding area, and begin to envision their life there. It will be their new home for the next four years – and new data shows, in all likelihood, even longer.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, University of Michigan, and the University of Chicago have compiled new data that shows roughly half of all college graduates remain in the same metro area as their alma mater, and roughly two-thirds remain in the same state. While in school, college students often pursue internships, acquire their first apartments, and forge friendships and romantic relationships. All of these economic and social ties mean that students can become deeply rooted in their campus’s city.
This has serious implications for the student’s potential lifetime earnings. Social mobility is only possible when there is a job market that can sustain it; this means that parents should carefully consider the job markets in the greater metro-areas where their children will attend school. It is important to consider these factors in tandem with a student’s intended field of study; some geographic locations are better than others for opportunities for different careers; for example, students considering a career in policy will want to focus on the DC-Maryland-Virgina area, while those pursuing a career at one of the Big Five tech companies (Alphabet, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple) will want to seek out higher education in California.
Aristotle Circle can help.
In April, when students have received their college acceptance offers and are weighing the life-changing decision of where they will commit, the location of that school must be considered carefully. However, the research process should truly begin much earlier. Aristotle Circle’s comprehensive College Admissions Counseling Package offers unlimited one-on-one counseling with our team of NACAC-certified college admissions counselors. We’re here to help you every step of the way, from helping students discover their passions through summer activities to commitment day. Having a plan can be the difference between a strong application and a frantic mess. Give us a call (212-360-2301) or email (info@aristotlecircle.com) for a free consultation to see how we best suit your needs.
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