The college search process often starts with questions like “What’s the best school?” or “Where can I get in?” But at College UnMazed, we encourage students and families to ask a better question: Which colleges fit who I am and what I need to succeed?

That’s where the 6 Keys of College Fit come in. These six areas help students create a personalized definition of college “fit” and evaluate potential schools with purpose, not pressure.

Not all colleges will be the right fit, and not all students prioritize the same factors. The Six Keys of College Fit—which consider academic, financial, personal, career, student outcomes, and student support services—help students evaluate schools based on what’s most important to them.

A parent of a graduating 12th grader, who is now deciding on whether or not to major in game development, asked us to look into this and provide them more information. They sent us the names of the top colleges their student has applied to. We used two of the 6 Keys of College Fit (www.collegeunmazed.com) to gather data that would help the student make a more informed decision.

How as a parent, do you help your student see beyond the "emotional appeal" of a college and more objectively at the process?