For rising juniors and seniors, summer is a time to start your college search afresh or solidify your shortlist. If you're looking out of state, the feasibility of visiting or 'trying out' prospective colleges will likely be out of reach and not beneficial until you've narrowed your list to two to three possibilities. One way to gain tremendous insight about a prospective college is to visit the website.

By SAGE Scholars — May 19, 2025

For rising juniors and seniors, summer is the perfect time to begin-or refine-your college search. While visiting campuses in person can be a valuable experience, it isn't always realistic-especially when you're looking at out-of-state schools. Until you've narrowed your list to a few top contenders, campus visits may not be feasible.

Fortunately, a college's website can offer just as much insight-if not more-into what life is like at a prospective school. You just have to know where (and how) to look.

Start with the Homepage

It might seem obvious, but many students skip over the homepage in a rush to explore deeper tabs. Don't make that mistake. A college's homepage is designed to showcase what makes the school unique. It's the first impression-and a carefully curated one.

Pay attention to:

• Featured stories or announcements
• Campus events and recent news
• Student achievements or research highlights
• Calls to visit, apply, or connect

All of these give you clues about the school's personality, values, and priorities.

Use the Navigation Bar Wisely

The navigation bar (usually at the top of the page) is your key to everything the school wants you to know. The most important sections to start with include:

Admissions

This section covers:

• Application instructions and deadlines
• GPA and test score averages
• Acceptance rates and class profiles
• Application fee waivers (check deadlines!)

Understanding this information helps you gauge whether the school is a safety, match, or reach-important when building a balanced college list.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Here you'll find:

• Estimated cost of attendance (tuition, room, board, fees)
• Scholarships and grants
• Financial aid application steps (like FAFSA info)
• Work-study programs

Keep in mind: The listed cost is often higher or lower than what students actually pay. Factors like AP credits, major choice, and available aid can change your true cost significantly.

Explore Academics and Majors

If you know what you want to study, confirm the school offers it. If you're undecided, this is where you can learn about:

• Available majors and minors
• Degree requirements (check curriculum guides or course catalogs)
• General education courses and electives
• Opportunities for academic advising or exploring before declaring a major

Reading through course descriptions and seeing how programs are structured can help you figure out whether a school's academic offerings feel like the right fit.

Look Into Research Opportunities

If you're interested in STEM, healthcare, engineering, or graduate study, check out research options. You can find these under:

• "Research," "Academic Life," or "Undergraduate Opportunities"

Look for:

• Labs or faculty-led projects that welcome undergraduates
• Research centers, funding programs, or summer fellowships
• Publications, showcases, or honors thesis projects

These experiences can be standout additions to your resume and application for future internships, jobs, or grad school.

Check Out Campus Life & Extracurriculars

The "Student Life" tab is your window into campus culture. It's where you can find:

• Student clubs and organizations
• Greek life, student government, and recreational activities
• Housing and dining information
• Health, wellness, and support services

Many schools even have individual websites or social media pages for clubs-these can give you a feel for what current students are passionate about. Don't hesitate to reach out to clubs with questions. Even if you don't hear back, it shows initiative and gives you a deeper connection to the school.

Final Thoughts

A college website is one of your best tools for researching a school-often more accessible and information-rich than a brief campus visit. The more time you spend exploring, the more confident you'll be when it comes time to build your college list or hit "submit" on that application.

Start with the homepage. Follow the navigation bar. Dive deep into programs, student life, and research opportunities. By the time you're ready to apply or visit, you'll already know whether a school truly feels like the right fit.

SAGE Scholars

At SAGE Scholars, we deeply believe in the value and quality of private higher education. Our mission is to provide access to affordable college opportunities while bringing together families, colleges & universities, and benefit providers to create college funding solutions. Since 1995, SAGE Scholars has bridged the gap between students who want a quality private college education and colleges that will work closely with member families to ensure affordability - all at no cost to the families.

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