Finding a College Articles

From first search to final decision, everything you need to help you explore colleges, narrow your list, and choose the right fit for you.

Step-by-step guide to choosing the right college

Choose a college with confidence. From asking the right questions to taking campus tours, get started finding your dream school with these simple steps.

What do colleges seek in applicants?

Colleges look for well-rounded students with good grades and high test scores. See what else you can do to make your college app stand out.

The top 20 schools in the US

Check out the top 20 "T20" colleges in the US and see how to use this list as a starting point to building your own "best colleges" list.

Safety, reach, and match, explained

Learn how to build a balanced college list with a mix of safety, match, and reach schools. See what this means and how it can improve admissions chances.

300 word essay examples

A well-crafted essay can make an okay college application outstanding. See how to write a solid essay—with a few examples inside.

A quiz to find your perfect college match

Take a free college match quiz to find schools that fit your goals, academics, preferences, and budget.

10 least common majors

Business, psychology, and engineering are all super popular majors. But what are some of the least common majors? Check them out here.

What happens if you back out of early decision?

Is early decision binding and what happens if you back out of it? Here’s what happens if you don't accept the early decision offer.

What is a high school transcript?

Most colleges require you to submit your high school transcript, but what's in it? Why do they need it?

What do college acceptance odds really mean for you?

Understand acceptance odds and college acceptance rates, and how those affect you in the college admissions process.

Uncovering true leadership experience for college applications

Learn how to showcase leadership on college apps with specific, quantified examples that highlight initiative and personal growth.

Why your ACT/SAT test scores matter for college admissions

Test scores matter. Even as more colleges are going test-optional, test scores are still very important in college admissions.

States that offer programs for free or reduced cost community college

Many states offer free and reduced cost community college to help students afford higher ed. See which states offer these incredible programs.

How to prepare for a college interview

Ace your college interview with confidence—discover tips to impress and avoid common pitfalls in this quick-read guide.

What is a college minor?

A college minor is a secondary academic discipline that you can choose to study in addition to your college major.

Mastering Common App essay questions for 2025-2026

Explore Common App essay prompts and tips to craft a standout college application.

11 things you need to check out during a college visit

Make the most of your campus tours. Use this college visit checklist to make sure you see everything that matters to you.

How to choose a college major

What do you want to be when you grow up? Click here to find out how to choose your college major even if you aren't sure yet.

© Citizens Financial Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Citizens Bank, N.A. Member FDIC

College Raptor, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Citizens Bank, N.A. (Citizens)