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.

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