Academic and College Advising Newsletter - November 2025

Dear Parents,

One of the most notable features of the higher education landscape today is that there are so many colleges for students to choose from. On one hand, this is great news―it means that each student has larger autonomy over the type of colleges to which he or she applies and ultimately attends. On the other hand, I find that students and parents often experience choice paralysis, overwhelmed by the options.

This month, we would like to share with you information on the college selection process which we hope is helpful as you and your child explore the next steps in enabling him or her to become the individual God intends. 

Finding Your Best-Fit College

What does “best fit” mean? We define a best-fit college as a school that matches a student’s goals for the future and how he or she wants to achieve them. Bear Creek’s best fit advising approach aligns with the mission, enabling each student to become the individual God intends. God has uniquely and wonderfully made each student and this approach to the college process acknowledges that truth, encouraging students to explore the path that the Lord has set out for them after graduation. When searching for best-fit colleges, it is important to consider the range of criteria that can impact a student’s experience on campus including size and location of the college, graduation rate and cost, clubs, activities, sports, and arts, as well as programs and majors, to name a few. This newsletter focuses on six decision points that students will have in determining their best-fit college and suggests the types of students who generally thrive in each environment. 

Public or Private?

Public

Public colleges are those which receive much of their funding from the state, and the purpose of the institution is to serve the state and its population. Tuition is less for in-state students and more for out-of-state students, although some states have reciprocity with Washington through the Washington Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Public schools can be a great fit for students who want to keep the cost of tuition down, who plan to live locally, or who hope to graduate early by transferring their AP and/or concurrent credits. 

Private

Private colleges, on the other hand, receive most of their funding from tuition and donors and base their education around a specific mission, which varies based on the institution. Although the baseline tuition is higher for the majority of private schools, they often offer more merit scholarships which can bring down the ultimate cost of attendance. Private schools can be a great fit for students who are searching for a specialized program, are not concerned with cost, plan to apply for scholarships, or are planning to spend four years pursuing their degree. 

Large Research or Small Liberal Arts?

Large Research

Large research institutions can be either public or private, but all have an emphasis on faculty and student research initiatives. Students may be required to pre-declare a major during the admissions process and funnel directly into their selected programs. Most large research institutions include robust graduate programs as well, including accelerated tracks. A student seeking a large social landscape who is comfortable in large classroom settings or who wants to focus on research in his or her undergraduate experience would benefit from the opportunities at a large research institution. 

Small Liberal Arts

Small liberal arts colleges are generally private; however, a handful are public institutions. Liberal arts colleges are known for their smaller overall population ranging from 800 to around 5,000 students and often do not require students to declare a major until the end of sophomore year, giving students the freedom to explore different subject areas. A student who wants a strong on-campus culture with small class sizes or a student who is willing to have flexible thinking when it comes to careers will thrive in a liberal arts setting. 

Rural or Urban?

Rural

Rural colleges are those that are located an hour or more from a large metropolitan city. Although the size of these colleges can be large or small, generally rural colleges have well defined boundaries between the campus and the surrounding area. Rural colleges are a great fit for students who hope to center their college experience on campus, including their activities outside of class. Although a rural campus does not guarantee student safety, many students who place safety as a top priority for college fit often explore more rural colleges. 

Urban

Urban colleges are either in or very near a large metropolitan city such as New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, etc. Like rural colleges, the size of urban schools varies greatly, but many are characterized by looser campus boundaries that often blend in with the surrounding businesses and shops. An urban college is a strong fit for students who prefer to spend their time at events off campus such as professional sports games or the theater. Students who plan to work full time or have an internship during the school year will often explore more urban campuses too. 

Christian or Secular?

Christian

Christian colleges are those whose mission is tied to faith, and in the United States, this includes around 900 colleges. Although all these colleges have Christian faith as a part of their mission, the impact of this identity on campus varies greatly. Some Christian colleges require weekly chapel and religion courses while others incorporate faith through an emphasis on service or ethical values with a less integrated Christian framework. There is no right or wrong way to be a Christian college, but it is important for students to understand the differences when applying. Students who want to deepen their faith and learn alongside likeminded peers would be a strong fit for Christian colleges. 

Secular

Secular colleges are those that have no religious affiliation. Students whose faith is not a significant factor in their college journeys, or who want to grow their faith and discipleship in a secular setting, are a great fit for non-Christian colleges. 

Domestic or International?

Domestic

A domestic college is defined as a higher education institution within the United States. The application process and timeline for most domestic schools follows the same yearly pattern and is predictable. Students who want to stay close to home are a strong fit for domestic colleges. Additionally, students who hope to study specific “pre-” majors such as pre-med, pre-law, or pre-vet should explore domestic colleges as the international qualifications for these professions would make it incompatible with practicing in the United States. Students who study at a domestic university still often have the opportunity to study abroad for a year or semester but not for their whole undergraduate experience. 

International

An international college is any university outside of the United States. The process and timeline of international applications can vary greatly and often requires students to take additional entrance exams to apply. A student who hopes to live or work outside of the United States after college may be a strong fit for an international college. Additionally, students who have a major that is compatible with or augmented by studying abroad, such as political science or international relations, may benefit from attending an international university. 

Moderately Selective or Highly Selective?

Moderately Selective

Students who want a steady school/life balance are often a strong fit for moderately selective schools. Additionally, students who thrive in a more collaborative environment often seek out moderately selective institutions. Many moderately selective colleges also offer generous merit scholarships, so students pursuing merit aid will often focus on applying to moderately selective college as well.

Highly Selective

Highly selective colleges are those institutions that admit less than 20% of their applicants and are often recognized nationally for their rigorous programs. There are around 130 highly selective colleges in the U.S., which is a small number, but makes up a large part of the dialog around college admissions. 

Students who independently seek out high levels of course rigor and are not overwhelmed by academic pressure are often a good fit for highly selective colleges. Additionally, if students thrive in a high intensity environment, then these schools would be a great fit. Many Bear Creek students have attended highly selective colleges, so if that is a student’s goal, then I will help guide him or her through the demanding application process. 

Other Considerations

There are many other college criteria to consider when a student applies, but my hope is that these six categories help give you an idea of some decision points students face when determining their best-fit colleges. If you would like to learn more, then please watch the recording of my presentation on Finding your Best-Fit College from last fall.  

PSAT Scores are Now Available

Families can access scores online via the BigFuture® School App or a student’s College Board Account. We have also printed out each student’s score report which can be picked up at the Upper School front desk in a sealed envelope after school today. Ayoleida and I encourage students to review their scores at home as this maintains confidentiality and allows for meaningful conversations within your family.

As advisors, we are also here to answer any questions that you or your child might have about standardized testing and/or his or her score. Feel free to also check out these helpful resources: What Do My Scores Mean? and PSAT/NMSQT: Understanding Scores for Students and Families.

A student’s score highlights strengths and areas for growth and helps us guide students on potential AP level coursework for next year. Remember, PSAT scores are not used for college admissions.

Upcoming Events and Deadlines

Please mark your calendar and plan to attend these informative events and heed the upcoming deadlines. All are listed on the School Calendar. 

• November 18: Tools for Success: Jumpstart the College Journey (RSVP)
• November 21: Deadline for rescheduling final exams
• December 1: Deadline for scheduling make-up work
• December 8: Deadline for submitting late work
• December 11, 12, 15: Fall semester re-learning days
• December 16 – 18: Fall semester final exams
• January 5 – 15: JanTerm
• January 7: Top 5 Qualities Colleges Want in an Applicant (learn more)
• January 16: Fall semester report cards posted
• January 20: Spring semester begins
• January 24: Academic Advising Extravaganza (learn more)

Concluding Thoughts

Finding a best-fit college does not happen in one instant but requires introspection on the part of a student as well as diligent research on the various college options available. Bear Creek's goal is to partner with students to help them discern the important criteria for a college and then help them narrow in on schools that meet their criteria. Although building a college list begins junior year, there are opportunities for grades 9 and 10 students to be researching colleges prior to that. I would encourage all freshmen and sophomores to attend at least six of the over one hundred college visits offered at Bear Creek each fall. Juniors and seniors should attend more than six as they narrow in on their final college lists. For all students, these college visits are great exposure to the breadth of colleges across the United States and will help them along the way in determining their best-fit colleges. 

As always, we are available for questions or more details. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me (grades 11 and 12) or Dean of Academic Advising Ayoleida Páramo (grades 9 and 10) at aparamo@tbcs.org.

Best,

Katie Gomulkiewicz '13
Dean of College and Academic Advising
kgomulkiewicz@tbcs.org