case study what college should i attend

Quiz: What College Should I Go to? Choose the Right School

Find The Right College For You With Our College Quiz! 

Do you find yourself wondering, “which college is right for me?” There are hundreds of colleges to choose from, so how do you decide which college you should go to?

When choosing a college, many students consider several factors, like location, programs, and cost of attendance. While it's important to be realistic, don’t forget to prioritize your wants as well. 

That’s why Quad Education created the College Selection Quiz, a free 3-minute college finder quiz that uses admissions data to find your best-fit colleges.

How Does Quad’s College Quiz Work?

Our college quiz is designed to simplify the college search process. Our quiz takes into account the following factors to help you decide which colleges you should attend: 

• Schools’ admissions data
• Your ACT/SAT test scores 
• Your preferred region(s) of the US
• Your favorite season
• Your preferred college setting
• Your high school GPA
• What field of study you’re interested in
• What type of college you want to attend

Take a stab at our quiz and find your best-fit school today!

How to Decide Which College is Best for You? 

Trying to figure out “What college should I go to?” can be a difficult process. Here are some tips to help you out. 

Identifying Your Academic Interests

Different universities and colleges will all have different specializations. Take some time to really consider what you’re interested in and passionate about. 

You don’t have to know exactly what your career path will be, but you should have a rough idea of what major(s) you’d like to pursue. Then, once you’ve decided on your academic interests, you should build a college list of schools that specialize in those programs. 

How to Research Colleges? 

The best way to research a college is to thoroughly examine the school website. Look for the programs they offer, their extracurriculars and clubs, academic rankings, and more. Doing research will help you determine the college that best suits your interests.

For some more personal information, you can also consider reaching out to alumni or current students. That way, you can get a more realistic idea of what the school’s social culture is like. 

Paying a visit to the colleges you’re considering is also a great way to research. Not only will you get a better feel of what it’s like to be on campus, but you’ll also be able to ask specific questions to your college tour guide. You may even get to meet some of your potential professors or classmates!

Narrowing Down Your Choices

Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to zero in on your top choices. You can do this by deciding on your dealbreakers and top priorities, such as your desired major, your budget, the location of the school, and other factors. 

Then, you can compare and contrast the colleges you’re interested in by making a pro-and-con list or a spreadsheet with all the school information. The colleges that best fulfill all your priorities are the ones you should apply to ! 

Save Time and Find a Better Fit With Our College Match Quiz 

You don’t have to spend any more time wondering where to go to college or asking, “How can I find colleges for me?” Our college selection quiz will help all students find their perfect school!

FAQs: Choosing a College

If you still have questions about selecting colleges, don’t worry. Here are the answers to some frequently asked school selection questions. 

1. What Factors Should I Consider When Choosing College? 

To choose the best college for you, consider the following factors: 

• Available programs 
• Tuition costs & financial aid opportunities
• Extracurricular options 

2. What Are the Key Steps in Selecting College? 

Follow these steps to select the best college: 

• Decide on your priorities and interests
• Research schools that fit your interests
• Compare and contrast schools based on the above factors
• Narrow down your options to your top choices

3. Can You Offer Guidance on How to Research and Compare Colleges? 

To research colleges effectively, you should determine your priorities, look at school websites, visit campuses, and go to college fairs. You can also talk to alumni, current students, or admission counselors . 

4. How Do I Determine the Best College Major for My Future Career? 

You should choose a major that interests you, not a major that you think is prestigious. This will make it easier for you to get good grades, which will help you get into higher education or land a good career in a field you’re passionate about. 

You should also be sure to choose a major that suits your skills and abilities and one that is easily employable. 

5. How Do I Evaluate the Financial Aspects When Deciding Which College to Apply To? 

First, you should set a budget. Know exactly how much you can afford to spend. Then, you should look into the tuition costs of your desired schools and see if it fits within your budget. If not, you should explore financial aid options and available scholarships. 

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What college should I go to? – College Finder Series: Part III

What college should I go to? An Introduction

Congratulations on being accepted to college! Now, you might be wondering, “What college should I go to?” 

Doing some college comparison exercises may help narrow down your decision. In this article, we’ll help you compare colleges and consider different factors. That way, you can learn how to choose a college that’s right for you. 

This article is the third part of our College Finder Series. The College Finder Series is designed to provide guidance from beginning to end of the college application process. This article will help you complete the final step of this process: making your college decision. We’ll discuss how to make the best college choice and find the right college for you. (We’ll get to the enrollment process later!)

Part I of the College Finder Series covered how to tackle the college search and find the right college options that best fit you. Then, the second part of the College Finder Series covered how to build a balanced college list that includes safety, target, and reach schools. Part 2 of the Series even included a sample college list with theoretical college options.

Part III of the College Finder Series

This article, the third part of the series, is intended to help you compare colleges where you were accepted and make your final college choice. Take your college selection seriously, as it will affect the next four years of your life and beyond. This guide will help you compare colleges, build a college comparison spreadsheet, and, finally, make your college decision.

The college comparison process is the fun part of your college search. You’ve done the work of applying and getting accepted —now, it’s time to compare colleges and find your perfect school . When you compare colleges, you are looking for your perfect fit—a school whose programs, campus culture, and extracurricular offerings match your needs. 

As you compare colleges, think about your needs and priorities. Consider every aspect of a school, no matter how insignificant it may seem. After all, you’ll be living, sleeping, eating, socializing, and learning in this environment for the next four years. So, take the college comparison process seriously. The question of “what college should I go to” may be the most significant decision of your life.

So, are you asking yourself “What college should I go to?” Here are some tools to help you compare colleges. 

How to choose a college that’s right for you

The question of “Which university should I choose” is an important decision that requires time and organization to answer. Before you compare colleges, get organized. In this process, you should use the same kind of detail and care that helped you begin your college search. Organization will go a long way in helping you make a college choice.

When deciding how to choose a college, start by compiling information. For each school, learn about college majors , financial aid and scholarship packages, college setting, college size, college rankings , and more. That way, you can compare colleges more effectively and make the best college choice possible. 

Also, keep in mind that everyone has different needs when it comes to the college process. When you ask yourself, “What college should I go to?,” consider adding on “What college should I go to that will make the most sense for me specifically ?” 

The right college choice for your friends may not be the right college choice for you, and that’s okay! As you compare colleges, remember to center your own needs. 

Four questions to ask yourself when comparing colleges:

• What college should I go to that will best lead me toward my professional or academic goals?
• If finances are a top concern, what college should I go to?
• What college should I go to that will offer me the best academic and social support?
• To ensure I prioritize my mental health and wellbeing, what college should I go to?

When choosing a college, consider your long-term professional or academic goals, the overall cost, any short-term support, and your mental wellbeing. If there are other factors that are important to you (spirituality/religion, distance from family, etc.), keep those in mind when making your college choice. 

There are many ways to help you determine how to choose a college. Think critically about your own needs, and discuss them with those closest to you. Then, as you compare colleges, keep these needs in mind. 

College Comparison- Helpful Tools to Compare Colleges

There are plenty of “college compare” tools that can show you how to choose a college. Each college comparison tool is a bit different, but all should help you make your college choice. In this section, we’ll go over five of the most popular college comparison tools that compare colleges across the nation.

We’ve included details about the various college comparison tools below. Go with the tool that you feel best helps you compare colleges. That way, you can make the right college choice.

1. College Scorecard

The College Scorecard is a “college compare” tool from the U.S. Department of Education. With this college comparison tool, you can search and compare colleges, their fields of study, costs, admissions , results, and more “college compare” factors.

Use this “college compare” tool to compare colleges by entering the name of any school in the search bar under the “Search Schools” tab. From there, you will be shown a scorecard with various stats about that school. In the upper right corner of the scorecard, you will see a checkmark. Click on that checkmark to compare this school with others. Repeat this process for all the schools you want to compare. You can add up to 10 schools for college comparison. 

When you have added all the colleges you want to compare, click on “Ready to Compare” at the bottom of the screen. This will take you to the college comparison page that can help you decide how to choose a college. You can also use this process to compare fields of study.

Niche is a site that can help you compare colleges simply. With the Niche “college compare” tool, you can compare colleges side by side to find the right school for you. You can add up to four schools to compare college cost, college size, and test scores. All you have to do is type in the name of the college you want to view, and it will take you to that school’s page.

On the profile page, Niche offers a report card with ratings for categories such as academics, diversity, athletics, student life, campus food, and safety. You may need to create a free account in order to utilize the full scope of this college comparison tool. 

3. BigFuture

BigFuture is a college comparison tool powered by CollegeBoard. This “college compare” tool functions like the other previously mentioned sites. Using BigFuture, you can search specific schools and add them to a list. This can help you compare colleges quickly and effectively. 

This tool gives you the option to compare colleges based on four categories: location, college major, college type, and campus life. Each category also has various subcategories. Using these four categories, you can filter colleges by specific criteria that matter to you. 

4. Campus Reel

The CampusReel college comparison tool is great for helping students decide how to choose a college when they have narrowed their college choice down to two options. Start by entering the two schools you want to compare and click “Compare Colleges.”

CampusReel offers a “college compare” guide that analyzes both the quantitative (hard data) and qualitative (soft data) differences between two schools. This college comparison is particularly good at understanding the cultural differences between colleges. It uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of a campus. These videos can help you make a college choice sooner, since you get to actually see and hear what it would be like to attend that school.

5. CollegeAdvisor College Search

Our app is an excellent guide to reference when you ask yourself, “what college should I go to?” This CollegeAdvisor resource provides detailed information on the schools you are interested in. It even provides a succinct report card that grades the school on various criteria. 

Our College Search Tool is the perfect resource for you to reference when creating your college comparison spreadsheet (more on that later). The data provided on this site can help you build college comparison profiles. This can help you determine how to choose a college.

How to Compare Colleges

CollegeAdvisor has an excellent webinar on how to choose between multiple schools. Take a look at that video for more tips on how to compare colleges!

What college should I go to: College Comparison with Data Collection

The first step in the college comparison process is data collection. When you compare colleges, you want to compare similar sets of variables across schools to find a perfect college match. 

You may have already gathered some information during a college visit or during your initial college search. That’s a great start. Now, we need to take that information and organize it with a “college compare” tool that will help you make your final college selection and begin the college enrollment process . Answering the question of “what college should I go to” is about to get easier!

What data should you collect to compare colleges? At a minimum, you should gather information on college setting, college size, academics, and financial aid. Put all this information into an easy-to-evaluate form so you can compare colleges at a glance. 

There are multiple methods you can use that show you how to choose a college. When you compare colleges, choose the method that makes the most sense to you. This will make your college choice easier.

What college should I go to: College Comparison Methods

Next, decide what method you’d like to use to compare colleges. Some college comparison methods include index cards or whiteboards. Some students create a stack of index cards with college comparison information written on them. Other students use a whiteboard to organize their college comparison info. You should use whatever method helps you synthesize information best.

One key thing is to gather information from reputable sources. There are several resources out there with college comparison tools that you can utilize in your search for a college match. You can also find articles that provide guidance on how to choose a college. For example, if you are interested in college rankings, use the same ranking source to compare colleges. On that note, pay attention to the type of college rankings you look at. A school may not be highly ranked overall, but the specific department you are interested in may be highly ranked.

You may also have much of this “college compare” information already noted from your college search process. Asking yourself “what college should I go to?” during the initial college search is a great way to become familiar with a school as you make your college decision. 

College comparison methods are diverse. Finding the right college match is a long process that begins even before you sit down to compare schools.

What college should I go to: Compare Colleges with Others’ Input

Finally, ask for help. Many people will have great advice on how to choose a college. Talk to family and friends, and reach out to alumni from each of the schools on your “college compare” list. This can help you make your college choice. 

Remember, the final answer to your question of “What college should I go to” is up to you , and not anyone else. That being said, it can be helpful to talk through the college choice options with others. 

Building a College Comparison Spreadsheet

One of the best organizational tools to help you compare colleges is a college comparison spreadsheet. A college compare and contrast tool like a college comparison spreadsheet is an easy way to highlight all important data. 

A college comparison spreadsheet can help you find the right college for you because you can tailor it to your particular interests. For example, if you love the warm weather and hate cold climates, location will be a key factor in your college decision. 

Knowing how to choose a college that’s right for you will become easier with a spreadsheet. Let’s dig into how you create your college comparison spreadsheet so you can start to compare colleges. 

First, create a file in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or any similar application, and title it something straightforward like “What College Should I Go To?” You can even make a simple table in a text editing app, like this one .

Next, in the first row, create your table headings in each column. The table headings can fall into three broad categories.

Table heading categories

• General info : Include basic information such as the name of the college, college setting or location, college size, public/private, and college rankings.
• Academic info :  Tuition amount per year, financial aid award amounts (if applicable), graduation requirements, campus amenities, and other relevant academic information. If you are interested in a specific program or college major, make a column heading to note if each school offers that college major .
• Personal info : Include categories for factors that are important to you. For example, do you want to join a sorority or fraternity? Look into whether each college offers Greek life. Do you love the beach? Make a heading for noting proximity to a coast. Love art? Note whether each school is in a city with a lively art scene. These column headings can be as nuanced and silly as you want. They should be tailored to you so you can answer the question, “What college should I go to?”

Check out our example of a college comparison spreadsheet below. For this example, we assumed out-of-state tuition (not including housing or extra expenses), inserted hypothetical financial aid award amounts, used a hypothetical college major interest, and looked at the college rankings for undergraduate programs.

What college should I go to?

This table is a very simple example of what you can include in your college comparison spreadsheet. Feel free to make this spreadsheet as detailed as you’d like. For instance, you can subtract the financial aid amount from the tuition amount and have a column for out of pocket cost. You can be more specific in the college setting category to include rural/urban or proximity to family. You can also add a column for college visits , to mark notes you may have taken during a college visit tour. The more you include, the more this tool can help you compare colleges. 

Generally, there are 5 important things to include on a college comparison spreadsheet. These are 1) College Major, 2) Cost, 3) College Setting, 4) College Size or Class Size, and 5) Campus Facilities and Amenities. The next part of this article on college selection will discuss these five most important things to consider when choosing a college.

Stay organized

“College compare” exercises like this table help to make the data clearer. This lets you answer the “What college should I go to” question. You undoubtedly will have multiple college options. So, a table like this can show you how to choose a college that’s right for you.

Check out our other resources available to students who are choosing colleges. We have helpful articles on topics such as choosing between a Liberal Arts and Pre-Professional college, finding your dream school , and a guide for first-generation college students.

5 most important things to consider when choosing a college

As we discussed, making your college selection is a big decision. However, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. So far, we have discussed helpful college comparison tools, tips to compare colleges, and how to build a college comparison spreadsheet. 

Now, let’s dive into the 5 most important things that will help you answer the question, “What college should I go to?” 

Read on to learn about the importance of the following “college compare” factors to find the right college. Then, be sure to add them to your college comparison spreadsheet: 

College Major

College costs, financial aid, scholarships, college setting, college size & class size.

• Campus Facilities & Amenities

The first factor that you should consider in your college comparison is your future major. At each school you’ve been accepted to, check out what majors are offered and what opportunities related to your major exist. 

Your interests may have changed from when you started the college search. Now, you may be ready to make your college decision and wondering, “What college should I go to based on majors?” 

Whether you feel confident about your college major or are undecided, we can help you compare colleges and figure out how to choose a college that’s right for you. 

What college should I go to if I know what I want to major in? 

Let’s try a “college compare” exercise to see how you might approach the college decision. 

Say you want to major in Secondary Education. On your college comparison spreadsheet, what education-related programs are available for each college choice? How do they align with your goals? 

For example, many students majoring in education find it difficult to study abroad because of their student teaching responsibilities. If studying abroad interests you, you might wonder, “What college should I go to where I can do both?” 

In this case, you might consider The College of New Jersey. In the TCNJ Global Student Teaching Program , college majors in education can complete seven weeks of their student teaching requirement at an international school. Students can travel to Europe, South America, or as far as South Africa. 

So, as you consider your college options, think about the details. What programs speak to you? What matters the most to you within your academic studies? If you can answer these questions, you’ll be in great shape. 

What college should I go to if I don’t know what I want to major in? 

Keep in mind that many students make a college decision without knowing what they want to study, and that’s okay! Not only do many students make their college choice without declaring a major , many others switch majors throughout their undergraduate careers. 

Wondering how to choose a college that’s right for you without a major in mind? In this case, focus on the schools on your college comparison spreadsheet that offer a variety of programs. For example, the University of South Florida offers more than 200 majors and concentrations across three campuses. Your college choice might come down to making your college selection based on which schools have the most variety. 

“How to choose a college” webinar

In one webinar we hosted about how to choose a college, student panelist McKenzie Murray shared her broad interests and experience considering majors in her college comparison process. A Cornell University undergraduate (Class of 2024), McKenzie is “a human development major with minors in policy analysis, global health, and possibly education.”

When it came time to make answer the question, “What college should I go to,” the first thing McKenzie considered was what majors were offered in her college comparison spreadsheet:

“Whatever you want to be for your career, you need to make sure that you’re picking a major that can get you there, or at least taking the classes that can get you there. Majors are broad. Even if you’re undecided…an important thing is to look and see if they have multiple programs that you might be interested in.” 

Although McKenzie’s college comparison was initially based on her college decision to choose a major based on pre-med programs, she wanted programs that fulfilled pre-med requirements while also offering a broad range of college majors. 

When you compare colleges and consider your college options, another key “college compare” factor is cost. For instance, your college choice might come down to two schools. However, if you find that one is far more expensive in your college comparison, it will impact how you answer the question, “What college should I go to?” 

If you are wondering how to choose a college based on cost, you can compare colleges based on various attributes. These include in-state versus out-of-state tuition, financial support, and college match factors like whether or not you are a first-generation college student . 

What college should I go to if I got into a few in-state and out-of-state schools?

If your focus is on affordability when you compare colleges, take a look at your in-state and out-of-state options. This can narrow down your college comparison. While private universities charge the same for all students, public universities offer lower tuition rates for in-state residents. For example, the previously mentioned College of New Jersey costs $16,667 a year for in-state tuition, versus $28,645 for out-of-state students. 

What college should I go to if I need financial assistance? 

Many students need financial assistance to meet the rising costs of higher education. If money is a concern, there are many options for you to consider when you compare colleges. As we mentioned, public universities are more affordable for students who are already state residents. However, private universities often offer more financial aid. 

In your college comparison, consider affordability on a school-by-school basis. While many “college compare” tools will let you sort schools by private versus public , you want to think about each school individually. According to US News , “It’s a common misconception that private institutions aren’t accessible to certain groups, like low-income and first-generation students…In fact, some private colleges, like many Ivy League schools , meet students’ full demonstrated need.” For example, the cost of tuition at Princeton University in New Jersey is covered for families who make $160,000 or less.

What college should I go to if I’m trying to find the right college as a first-generation student?

When you make your college choice, understanding how the schools on your college list define “first-generation students ,” or “FLi,”  is key. 

If you are a first-gen college student, you may want to compare colleges from your college selection based on financial aid and other opportunities offered for FLi. Before you do so, ensure you understand the differences in how your college matches define “first-generation students.” 

For example, Brown University defines a first-generation college student as “any student who may self-identify as not having prior exposure to or knowledge of navigating higher institutions such as Brown.” On the other hand, Northwestern University defines FLi as ‘the first in their families to graduate from a four-year college or university.” 

Understanding how your college selection defines FLi will help you find the right college. Learn more about how to choose a college as a first-generation student from CollegeAdvisor.com Admissions Expert Kiki!

Think back to when you first asked yourself, “What college should I go to?” How much did college setting factor into your college list? 

As you compare colleges, you’ll want to think about college setting. For most students, the college search centers around several geographic areas. For instance, maybe you want to stay in-state and find a college near your hometown. Or, maybe you hope to move to New York, California, Chicago, or another area for your undergraduate years. 

In order to find the right college, include as many aspects of college setting in your college comparison as possible. Many “college compare” tools can also help with this process. 

If you see yourself at a smaller college, you can then compare colleges based on the location, distance from home, and potential cultural/legal differences between smaller schools on your college list. This will help you make the right college choice for you. 

Let’s take a closer look at these aspects of college setting so you can compare colleges with confidence.

College Setting and the College Search

When you first thought about how to choose a college, did you set your sights on big cities? While many students are drawn to city schools when making their college choice, there are many reasons to stay open  to urban, rural, and suburban schools as part of your college comparison. 

If you compare colleges according to college setting, remember that you will spend most of your time on campus (and possibly in the surrounding community). However, not all schools have the same relationships with their surrounding areas. If you’re asking yourself, “What college should I go to if I want to be in a city, but still have an enclosed campus?” you might make a different college choice than someone who doesn’t mind a dispersed city campus. 

Your college major may also impact your college comparison. Look at your college choices, and think about how they relate to your chosen college major. This will make more of a difference with some majors than others. For instance, if you aim to study environmental science , you may find the right college in a sprawling rural setting with plentiful college options for hands-on experience.

No matter where your college comparison takes you, going away freshman year can be a challenge. So, it is important to consider the distance between you and your support networks. If you are unsure of how you will handle the transition, or know that you want to stick within driving distance of home, you can often find the right college without going far! Make sure your college comparison spreadsheet includes dream , reach, target, and safety schools within driving distance. 

College Visits and College Setting

College visits can make a huge difference in the college search. So, try to visit each of your top college options in person. Don’t focus on prestige or college rankings —instead, think critically about whether you could see yourself thriving on a certain campus. 

Even if your process for how to choose a college is largely based on setting, your idea of something and the actual experience may not align. If you have the opportunity, an in-person college visit can help you get a feel for the campus, broader environment, the distance from home, and your sense of place.

If you can’t make an in-person college visit to help with your college comparison, don’t worry! Many schools offer virtual college visits, where you can get a feel for many aspects of campus life. Your physical environment, academic environment, and peer environment are all aspects of setting that can help you compare colleges. Keeping an open mind to college matches will help you answer the all-important question, “What college should I go to?”

Consider political climate

Finally, how to choose a college based on setting may come down to the different cultural and legal differences between different regions of the US. College rankings aside, when you compare colleges, you should consider not only the political climate, but how state-by-state and federal legislation might impact you as an individual– particularly if you are a woman and/or person of color and/or LGBTQ. 

For example, the recent reversal of Roe v. Wade is forcing U.S. students of all genders to rethink their college plans . While a school in Ohio with great college rankings might initially be high in your college search when you compare colleges, you might cross it off of your college comparison list for good as laws change. 

When you ask “What college should I go to?” your safety and right to exist matter. 

Let’s return to our question of “What college should I go to?” and think about size. 

As you continue the process of how to choose a college, you’ll also consider college size. This is another top college comparison factor. Do you want to attend a large research university, or will you be happier at a small liberal arts school? 

You can often find data about college size online, including the total college enrollment for each school. On many “college compare” tools, you can also sort results by college size. 

Another important part of your college comparison is not only college size, but class size. Have you thought about the type of learner you are and how your experience in the classroom can help you compare colleges? 

Reflect on past learning environments

Think back to the classroom settings where you felt you learned best. Were they smaller, seminar style classes? Or do you do better in larger classes, or on campuses where you can blend in? 

When you compare colleges, schools with the largest college enrollment will have very different campus life, where some students feel like small fish in a big pond. A bigger college size also means a larger student-to-faculty ratio. At the same time, college choices with larger enrollments often have more funds. This can lead to bigger facilities and more opportunities. 

As you hone in on how to choose a college that’s right for you, remember that college requires a lot more independence and self-ownership over learning than high school. It’s important to make a college choice that will allow you to flourish! 

Campus facilities and amenities

The final important factor to help you answer the question of “What college should I go to” is what facilities and amenities are available. You’ll spend a lot of time on campus, and you want to be comfortable in your home away from home !

In your college comparison spreadsheet, what do you know about residence hall availability? Are there singles for freshmen, or just doubles and suite-style living? Is there a cost difference based on the type of hall? Are there communities for like-minded students?

You should also consider dining halls and restaurants, especially if you have any dietary restrictions. Most campuses have Kosher, vegetarian, gluten-free, and other options nowadays, but since you will be eating three meals a day there, it’s important to check in advance. 

You may not be a recruited athlete for your university, but are you interested in playing intramural sports or engaging in other extracurricular activities ? As you go through your college comparison, make note of recreation opportunities, on-site services, career services, and student activities. 

Finally, when you answer “What college should I go to,” you are not only choosing a school, but a community. Who are the human resources you can call on? Are there mentoring programs for students? Is there a professor you look up to, whose work you are familiar with or want to learn more about? Does the school provide free or affordable counseling and mental health services for students?

So, which university should I choose?

Each of the factors listed above will impact your college comparison. Of course, some of these “college compare” factors will matter more for certain students. However, you should consider all of these aspects to some degree, as they intersect with one another to create your unique experience.

For example, you might have been accepted to UCLA with a full scholarship. However, if you call Vermont home, you will have to fly home for breaks and holidays, which means there are still costs to consider. At the end of the day, answering “what college should I go to” is a personal decision, but knowing what to look for can help!

The Final College Decision – Conclusion

In this article, we focused on how to choose a college based on five important factors. As we explored, there is a lot to consider as you compare colleges. Be strategic and organized in your college search. Various “college compare” tools can help you see key features of different schools at a glance. Using a college comparison spreadsheet can help you focus on factors beyond college rankings to answer the question, “What college should I go to?” 

With so many ways to compare colleges beyond college rankings, figuring out how to choose a college that’s right for you can feel impossible. What if your college comparison leads you to choose the wrong school? 

Rest assured– there is no wrong school! If you organize your college search and consider which factors you find most important as you compare colleges, you can have a great experience wherever you go. 

Only you know how to answer the question, “Which university should I choose?” Once you make your college decision, check out our Guide to College Enrollment as well as our College Packing List to get you even closer to that first day of class! 

This guide was written by Ciara Ayala and D. Lagomarsino. No matter what stage you are at in your college search, CollegeAdvisor.com is here to help. We’ve created a wide range of guides, like our College Finder Series, to help you navigate the college admissions process from building your school list all the way to packing for your freshman fall. Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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Which Colleges Should I Tour? A Comprehensive Guide

Padya Paramita

February 3, 2020

Which Colleges Should I Tour? A Comprehensive Guide 

If you’re in or approaching your junior year of high school, you’re probably aware that this is an important time for taking the next steps towards your college applications. Alongside preparing for the SAT and solidifying leadership positions, 11th grade is also ideal for thinking about the question, “ which colleges should I tour ?” This component might seem random, but many colleges actually track your demonstrated interest based on whether you’ve visited on not. Plus, you might encounter your dream school on a tour - students have often cited the campus visit as the main reason they fell in love with a college.

Even though it might seem overwhelming with so many schools you can possibly visit, when planning your trips, you need to be organized. To help you answer “which colleges should I tour ,” I’ve outlined a list of institutions that track your visits, how to make the most out of your tours, when you should be going, some questions to ask on your tour, alongside resources to take advantage of if tours aren’t feasible for you. 

Colleges That Track Your Demonstrated Interest

Before you start making a checklist to go out of your way and plan to visit every college on your list, it’s good to know who is tracking your visits when asking “ which colleges should I tour ?” Not all universities take your visit into account, particularly schools like the Ivy League, MIT, and Stanford, that already attract a lot of tourists. So, if you’re short on time, it’s best to plan for schools that do monitor your commitment based on the steps you’ve taken. 

Check out the following tables featuring national universities and liberal arts colleges you should have on your radar because of demonstrated interest when planning “ which colleges should I tour .” I’ve also included their location so that you can visit multiple nearby colleges when you’re in a certain area.

National Universi ties

Liberal arts colleges.

Of course, it can definitely help to visit any college if you’re considering putting it on your list, but if you’ve got your heart particularly set on any of the above schools, you should be making all the more effort to let the admissions office know that you’re interested by organizing a visit if possible.

When to Visit and How to Make Your Campus Tours Count

Ideally, you should aim to embark on your campus tours during spring break of junior year. So, to make sure you’re ready when the time comes, you need to have a preliminary list of colleges so that you can decide which ones you will check off when you’re on the east coast, for example. To stay organized, start planning during winter break in order to get the transportation, housing (if you’re staying overnight), and the questions you’ll ask all ready to go.

Admissions officers at the colleges that track demonstrated interest have a variety of methods they use to evaluate students on their visits. So, when you think about “ which colleges should I tour ?” you must also explore the options available for prospective students. Most schools arrange information sessions for future applicants. Institutions sometimes offer overnight visits, the opportunity to attend a class, talk to a professor, eat lunch with a current student, or sessions for applicants interested in particular majors. 

Prospective Student Events: Examples

For example, you might be considering applying to Northwestern. On your visit to the Evanston campus, you might have opportunities to attend an information session, do a campus tour, and attend a school-specific seminar for music or business. You might also be registered for Purple Preview , which allows you to shadow a student. Or, you could arrange to stay overnight. All of these efforts are recognized by the university as demonstration of interest in the college and add a small boost to your application.

Go through schools’ websites and check out the opportunities available during the time of your visit. If it’s an organized event or open house such as Discover Wellesley or Discover Middlebury Weekend, you’ll have plenty of chances to interact with current students and meet with different clubs and organizations. If your visit is more spontaneous, you can still talk to admissions office representatives and get a sense of what life is like at the school, as well as find out when the next information session is. 

Questions to Ask on Your Campus Tour

As you make a list of “ which colleges should I tour? ” you might also be wondering what questions to ask in order to make the most of your visit. It helps to get a sense of the academic, social, and extracurricular offerings at the school. Avoid asking for information that is easily available on the college website. You also must remember that most of the time, your tour guides are current students - so asking them for their perspective can help you get a sense of what your life might be like in a couple of years!

Use the questions below to think about what matters to you in your college experience and decide which ones you should ask:

• Why did you choose major X?
• Who is your favorite professor and why?
• What is it like to transition from high school to this college?
• How accessible are professors typically?
• Generally, do you feel that professors are engaged in their students’ education? Can you tell me how one of your professors has supported you or someone you know?
• How hard do you have to work to get good grades?
• What was the most impactful or meaningful course (academically or personally) that you have taken so far?

Extracurriculars

• What is the most impactful or meaningful extracurricular activity that you have been a part of?
• How involved are students in extracurriculars?
• Which activities are most popular?
• What’s the Greek life like, and how do students feel about it?
• How active is the student body in terms of sports?
• How popular are campus sporting events amongst students?
• Are any art or music practice spaces available to non-majors?

Social Life

• What is your typical Tuesday like?
• What is your typical Friday night like? 
• Why did you choose this college?
• How would you summarize the campus culture?
• What are the best reasons to go to this college?
• What do you do in your free time? Over the weekends?
• What do you love about this college?
• What is it like to live in this city/town?
• What has the school done to help you grow?
• How does the university foster/encourage multiculturalism in daily life?
• In what ways does the university support students with technology needs (tech support, access, discounted or free software, etc)?
• In what ways does the university support students in need of educational support (disability services, writing centers, study groups, freshman interest groups/first year support, etc)?
• What does the college do to ensure campus safety in general? What about in the event of an emergency?
• How large is the campus security force? Does it patrol the campus regularly?
• What services does the health center offer?

Residential Life

• What’s the residential life vibe?
• How are residence halls secured?
• How many dorms are there, and how do they differ?
• Are the dorms spread through the campus or clustered in one area?
• What are the off-campus living options, and what do they typically cost?

Resources If You Can’t Attend A Tour

If your dream school isn’t close to you, don’t worry. It’s not the end of the world. Lots of students who live far away or have conflicting schedules still get into these colleges both based on the rest of their application and a demonstration of interest in other ways. 

You can inquire whether there is an information session in your local area - often top universities will have a table at college fairs. So, if there’s one near you, definitely check it out, talk to the representatives, and ask them questions about the application process. You can also arrange for an alumni interview if there are alums in your area. Many schools offer virtual college tours using websites such as YouVisit . If you’re unable to travel somewhere, using this website is an effective way of learning more about the different offerings, seeing what the campus is like, and taking a look at the various buildings. Definitely try an online visit! 

As you plan your campus visits, you must think strategically. If you’re limited in deciding “ which colleges I should tour,” prioritize institutions that will take visits into account when it comes to making your application decision. At the same time, there’s nothing wrong with visiting other schools on your list that don’t assess demonstrated interest, because physically being on a campus and talking to students can make a significant difference in your decision to attend. Happy visiting!

Tags : college visits , Which Colleges Should I Tour? , touring colleges , colleges that track demonstrated interest , questions to ask on college visits , campus tours

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Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Assignments

• Annotated Bibliography
• Analyzing a Scholarly Journal Article
• Group Presentations
• Dealing with Nervousness
• Using Visual Aids
• Grading Someone Else's Paper
• Types of Structured Group Activities
• Group Project Survival Skills
• Leading a Class Discussion
• Multiple Book Review Essay
• Reviewing Collected Works
• Writing a Case Analysis Paper
• Writing a Case Study
• About Informed Consent
• Writing Field Notes
• Writing a Policy Memo
• Writing a Reflective Paper
• Writing a Research Proposal
• Generative AI and Writing
• Acknowledgments

A case study research paper examines a person, place, event, condition, phenomenon, or other type of subject of analysis in order to extrapolate  key themes and results that help predict future trends, illuminate previously hidden issues that can be applied to practice, and/or provide a means for understanding an important research problem with greater clarity. A case study research paper usually examines a single subject of analysis, but case study papers can also be designed as a comparative investigation that shows relationships between two or more subjects. The methods used to study a case can rest within a quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method investigative paradigm.

Case Studies. Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Mills, Albert J. , Gabrielle Durepos, and Eiden Wiebe, editors. Encyclopedia of Case Study Research . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2010 ; “What is a Case Study?” In Swanborn, Peter G. Case Study Research: What, Why and How? London: SAGE, 2010.

How to Approach Writing a Case Study Research Paper

General information about how to choose a topic to investigate can be found under the " Choosing a Research Problem " tab in the Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper writing guide. Review this page because it may help you identify a subject of analysis that can be investigated using a case study design.

However, identifying a case to investigate involves more than choosing the research problem . A case study encompasses a problem contextualized around the application of in-depth analysis, interpretation, and discussion, often resulting in specific recommendations for action or for improving existing conditions. As Seawright and Gerring note, practical considerations such as time and access to information can influence case selection, but these issues should not be the sole factors used in describing the methodological justification for identifying a particular case to study. Given this, selecting a case includes considering the following:

• The case represents an unusual or atypical example of a research problem that requires more in-depth analysis? Cases often represent a topic that rests on the fringes of prior investigations because the case may provide new ways of understanding the research problem. For example, if the research problem is to identify strategies to improve policies that support girl's access to secondary education in predominantly Muslim nations, you could consider using Azerbaijan as a case study rather than selecting a more obvious nation in the Middle East. Doing so may reveal important new insights into recommending how governments in other predominantly Muslim nations can formulate policies that support improved access to education for girls.
• The case provides important insight or illuminate a previously hidden problem? In-depth analysis of a case can be based on the hypothesis that the case study will reveal trends or issues that have not been exposed in prior research or will reveal new and important implications for practice. For example, anecdotal evidence may suggest drug use among homeless veterans is related to their patterns of travel throughout the day. Assuming prior studies have not looked at individual travel choices as a way to study access to illicit drug use, a case study that observes a homeless veteran could reveal how issues of personal mobility choices facilitate regular access to illicit drugs. Note that it is important to conduct a thorough literature review to ensure that your assumption about the need to reveal new insights or previously hidden problems is valid and evidence-based.
• The case challenges and offers a counter-point to prevailing assumptions? Over time, research on any given topic can fall into a trap of developing assumptions based on outdated studies that are still applied to new or changing conditions or the idea that something should simply be accepted as "common sense," even though the issue has not been thoroughly tested in current practice. A case study analysis may offer an opportunity to gather evidence that challenges prevailing assumptions about a research problem and provide a new set of recommendations applied to practice that have not been tested previously. For example, perhaps there has been a long practice among scholars to apply a particular theory in explaining the relationship between two subjects of analysis. Your case could challenge this assumption by applying an innovative theoretical framework [perhaps borrowed from another discipline] to explore whether this approach offers new ways of understanding the research problem. Taking a contrarian stance is one of the most important ways that new knowledge and understanding develops from existing literature.
• The case provides an opportunity to pursue action leading to the resolution of a problem? Another way to think about choosing a case to study is to consider how the results from investigating a particular case may result in findings that reveal ways in which to resolve an existing or emerging problem. For example, studying the case of an unforeseen incident, such as a fatal accident at a railroad crossing, can reveal hidden issues that could be applied to preventative measures that contribute to reducing the chance of accidents in the future. In this example, a case study investigating the accident could lead to a better understanding of where to strategically locate additional signals at other railroad crossings so as to better warn drivers of an approaching train, particularly when visibility is hindered by heavy rain, fog, or at night.
• The case offers a new direction in future research? A case study can be used as a tool for an exploratory investigation that highlights the need for further research about the problem. A case can be used when there are few studies that help predict an outcome or that establish a clear understanding about how best to proceed in addressing a problem. For example, after conducting a thorough literature review [very important!], you discover that little research exists showing the ways in which women contribute to promoting water conservation in rural communities of east central Africa. A case study of how women contribute to saving water in a rural village of Uganda can lay the foundation for understanding the need for more thorough research that documents how women in their roles as cooks and family caregivers think about water as a valuable resource within their community. This example of a case study could also point to the need for scholars to build new theoretical frameworks around the topic [e.g., applying feminist theories of work and family to the issue of water conservation].

Eisenhardt, Kathleen M. “Building Theories from Case Study Research.” Academy of Management Review 14 (October 1989): 532-550; Emmel, Nick. Sampling and Choosing Cases in Qualitative Research: A Realist Approach . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2013; Gerring, John. “What Is a Case Study and What Is It Good for?” American Political Science Review 98 (May 2004): 341-354; Mills, Albert J. , Gabrielle Durepos, and Eiden Wiebe, editors. Encyclopedia of Case Study Research . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2010; Seawright, Jason and John Gerring. "Case Selection Techniques in Case Study Research." Political Research Quarterly 61 (June 2008): 294-308.

Structure and Writing Style

The purpose of a paper in the social sciences designed around a case study is to thoroughly investigate a subject of analysis in order to reveal a new understanding about the research problem and, in so doing, contributing new knowledge to what is already known from previous studies. In applied social sciences disciplines [e.g., education, social work, public administration, etc.], case studies may also be used to reveal best practices, highlight key programs, or investigate interesting aspects of professional work.

In general, the structure of a case study research paper is not all that different from a standard college-level research paper. However, there are subtle differences you should be aware of. Here are the key elements to organizing and writing a case study research paper.

I.  Introduction

As with any research paper, your introduction should serve as a roadmap for your readers to ascertain the scope and purpose of your study . The introduction to a case study research paper, however, should not only describe the research problem and its significance, but you should also succinctly describe why the case is being used and how it relates to addressing the problem. The two elements should be linked. With this in mind, a good introduction answers these four questions:

• What is being studied? Describe the research problem and describe the subject of analysis [the case] you have chosen to address the problem. Explain how they are linked and what elements of the case will help to expand knowledge and understanding about the problem.
• Why is this topic important to investigate? Describe the significance of the research problem and state why a case study design and the subject of analysis that the paper is designed around is appropriate in addressing the problem.
• What did we know about this topic before I did this study? Provide background that helps lead the reader into the more in-depth literature review to follow. If applicable, summarize prior case study research applied to the research problem and why it fails to adequately address the problem. Describe why your case will be useful. If no prior case studies have been used to address the research problem, explain why you have selected this subject of analysis.
• How will this study advance new knowledge or new ways of understanding? Explain why your case study will be suitable in helping to expand knowledge and understanding about the research problem.

Each of these questions should be addressed in no more than a few paragraphs. Exceptions to this can be when you are addressing a complex research problem or subject of analysis that requires more in-depth background information.

II.  Literature Review

The literature review for a case study research paper is generally structured the same as it is for any college-level research paper. The difference, however, is that the literature review is focused on providing background information and  enabling historical interpretation of the subject of analysis in relation to the research problem the case is intended to address . This includes synthesizing studies that help to:

• Place relevant works in the context of their contribution to understanding the case study being investigated . This would involve summarizing studies that have used a similar subject of analysis to investigate the research problem. If there is literature using the same or a very similar case to study, you need to explain why duplicating past research is important [e.g., conditions have changed; prior studies were conducted long ago, etc.].
• Describe the relationship each work has to the others under consideration that informs the reader why this case is applicable . Your literature review should include a description of any works that support using the case to investigate the research problem and the underlying research questions.
• Identify new ways to interpret prior research using the case study . If applicable, review any research that has examined the research problem using a different research design. Explain how your use of a case study design may reveal new knowledge or a new perspective or that can redirect research in an important new direction.
• Resolve conflicts amongst seemingly contradictory previous studies . This refers to synthesizing any literature that points to unresolved issues of concern about the research problem and describing how the subject of analysis that forms the case study can help resolve these existing contradictions.
• Point the way in fulfilling a need for additional research . Your review should examine any literature that lays a foundation for understanding why your case study design and the subject of analysis around which you have designed your study may reveal a new way of approaching the research problem or offer a perspective that points to the need for additional research.
• Expose any gaps that exist in the literature that the case study could help to fill . Summarize any literature that not only shows how your subject of analysis contributes to understanding the research problem, but how your case contributes to a new way of understanding the problem that prior research has failed to do.
• Locate your own research within the context of existing literature [very important!] . Collectively, your literature review should always place your case study within the larger domain of prior research about the problem. The overarching purpose of reviewing pertinent literature in a case study paper is to demonstrate that you have thoroughly identified and synthesized prior studies in relation to explaining the relevance of the case in addressing the research problem.

III.  Method

In this section, you explain why you selected a particular case [i.e., subject of analysis] and the strategy you used to identify and ultimately decide that your case was appropriate in addressing the research problem. The way you describe the methods used varies depending on the type of subject of analysis that constitutes your case study.

If your subject of analysis is an incident or event . In the social and behavioral sciences, the event or incident that represents the case to be studied is usually bounded by time and place, with a clear beginning and end and with an identifiable location or position relative to its surroundings. The subject of analysis can be a rare or critical event or it can focus on a typical or regular event. The purpose of studying a rare event is to illuminate new ways of thinking about the broader research problem or to test a hypothesis. Critical incident case studies must describe the method by which you identified the event and explain the process by which you determined the validity of this case to inform broader perspectives about the research problem or to reveal new findings. However, the event does not have to be a rare or uniquely significant to support new thinking about the research problem or to challenge an existing hypothesis. For example, Walo, Bull, and Breen conducted a case study to identify and evaluate the direct and indirect economic benefits and costs of a local sports event in the City of Lismore, New South Wales, Australia. The purpose of their study was to provide new insights from measuring the impact of a typical local sports event that prior studies could not measure well because they focused on large "mega-events." Whether the event is rare or not, the methods section should include an explanation of the following characteristics of the event: a) when did it take place; b) what were the underlying circumstances leading to the event; and, c) what were the consequences of the event in relation to the research problem.

If your subject of analysis is a person. Explain why you selected this particular individual to be studied and describe what experiences they have had that provide an opportunity to advance new understandings about the research problem. Mention any background about this person which might help the reader understand the significance of their experiences that make them worthy of study. This includes describing the relationships this person has had with other people, institutions, and/or events that support using them as the subject for a case study research paper. It is particularly important to differentiate the person as the subject of analysis from others and to succinctly explain how the person relates to examining the research problem [e.g., why is one politician in a particular local election used to show an increase in voter turnout from any other candidate running in the election]. Note that these issues apply to a specific group of people used as a case study unit of analysis [e.g., a classroom of students].

If your subject of analysis is a place. In general, a case study that investigates a place suggests a subject of analysis that is unique or special in some way and that this uniqueness can be used to build new understanding or knowledge about the research problem. A case study of a place must not only describe its various attributes relevant to the research problem [e.g., physical, social, historical, cultural, economic, political], but you must state the method by which you determined that this place will illuminate new understandings about the research problem. It is also important to articulate why a particular place as the case for study is being used if similar places also exist [i.e., if you are studying patterns of homeless encampments of veterans in open spaces, explain why you are studying Echo Park in Los Angeles rather than Griffith Park?]. If applicable, describe what type of human activity involving this place makes it a good choice to study [e.g., prior research suggests Echo Park has more homeless veterans].

If your subject of analysis is a phenomenon. A phenomenon refers to a fact, occurrence, or circumstance that can be studied or observed but with the cause or explanation to be in question. In this sense, a phenomenon that forms your subject of analysis can encompass anything that can be observed or presumed to exist but is not fully understood. In the social and behavioral sciences, the case usually focuses on human interaction within a complex physical, social, economic, cultural, or political system. For example, the phenomenon could be the observation that many vehicles used by ISIS fighters are small trucks with English language advertisements on them. The research problem could be that ISIS fighters are difficult to combat because they are highly mobile. The research questions could be how and by what means are these vehicles used by ISIS being supplied to the militants and how might supply lines to these vehicles be cut off? How might knowing the suppliers of these trucks reveal larger networks of collaborators and financial support? A case study of a phenomenon most often encompasses an in-depth analysis of a cause and effect that is grounded in an interactive relationship between people and their environment in some way.

NOTE:   The choice of the case or set of cases to study cannot appear random. Evidence that supports the method by which you identified and chose your subject of analysis should clearly support investigation of the research problem and linked to key findings from your literature review. Be sure to cite any studies that helped you determine that the case you chose was appropriate for examining the problem.

IV.  Discussion

The main elements of your discussion section are generally the same as any research paper, but centered around interpreting and drawing conclusions about the key findings from your analysis of the case study. Note that a general social sciences research paper may contain a separate section to report findings. However, in a paper designed around a case study, it is common to combine a description of the results with the discussion about their implications. The objectives of your discussion section should include the following:

Reiterate the Research Problem/State the Major Findings Briefly reiterate the research problem you are investigating and explain why the subject of analysis around which you designed the case study were used. You should then describe the findings revealed from your study of the case using direct, declarative, and succinct proclamation of the study results. Highlight any findings that were unexpected or especially profound.

Explain the Meaning of the Findings and Why They are Important Systematically explain the meaning of your case study findings and why you believe they are important. Begin this part of the section by repeating what you consider to be your most important or surprising finding first, then systematically review each finding. Be sure to thoroughly extrapolate what your analysis of the case can tell the reader about situations or conditions beyond the actual case that was studied while, at the same time, being careful not to misconstrue or conflate a finding that undermines the external validity of your conclusions.

Relate the Findings to Similar Studies No study in the social sciences is so novel or possesses such a restricted focus that it has absolutely no relation to previously published research. The discussion section should relate your case study results to those found in other studies, particularly if questions raised from prior studies served as the motivation for choosing your subject of analysis. This is important because comparing and contrasting the findings of other studies helps support the overall importance of your results and it highlights how and in what ways your case study design and the subject of analysis differs from prior research about the topic.

Consider Alternative Explanations of the Findings Remember that the purpose of social science research is to discover and not to prove. When writing the discussion section, you should carefully consider all possible explanations revealed by the case study results, rather than just those that fit your hypothesis or prior assumptions and biases. Be alert to what the in-depth analysis of the case may reveal about the research problem, including offering a contrarian perspective to what scholars have stated in prior research if that is how the findings can be interpreted from your case.

Acknowledge the Study's Limitations You can state the study's limitations in the conclusion section of your paper but describing the limitations of your subject of analysis in the discussion section provides an opportunity to identify the limitations and explain why they are not significant. This part of the discussion section should also note any unanswered questions or issues your case study could not address. More detailed information about how to document any limitations to your research can be found here .

Suggest Areas for Further Research Although your case study may offer important insights about the research problem, there are likely additional questions related to the problem that remain unanswered or findings that unexpectedly revealed themselves as a result of your in-depth analysis of the case. Be sure that the recommendations for further research are linked to the research problem and that you explain why your recommendations are valid in other contexts and based on the original assumptions of your study.

V.  Conclusion

As with any research paper, you should summarize your conclusion in clear, simple language; emphasize how the findings from your case study differs from or supports prior research and why. Do not simply reiterate the discussion section. Provide a synthesis of key findings presented in the paper to show how these converge to address the research problem. If you haven't already done so in the discussion section, be sure to document the limitations of your case study and any need for further research.

The function of your paper's conclusion is to: 1) reiterate the main argument supported by the findings from your case study; 2) state clearly the context, background, and necessity of pursuing the research problem using a case study design in relation to an issue, controversy, or a gap found from reviewing the literature; and, 3) provide a place to persuasively and succinctly restate the significance of your research problem, given that the reader has now been presented with in-depth information about the topic.

Consider the following points to help ensure your conclusion is appropriate:

• If the argument or purpose of your paper is complex, you may need to summarize these points for your reader.
• If prior to your conclusion, you have not yet explained the significance of your findings or if you are proceeding inductively, use the conclusion of your paper to describe your main points and explain their significance.
• Move from a detailed to a general level of consideration of the case study's findings that returns the topic to the context provided by the introduction or within a new context that emerges from your case study findings.

Note that, depending on the discipline you are writing in or the preferences of your professor, the concluding paragraph may contain your final reflections on the evidence presented as it applies to practice or on the essay's central research problem. However, the nature of being introspective about the subject of analysis you have investigated will depend on whether you are explicitly asked to express your observations in this way.

Problems to Avoid

Overgeneralization One of the goals of a case study is to lay a foundation for understanding broader trends and issues applied to similar circumstances. However, be careful when drawing conclusions from your case study. They must be evidence-based and grounded in the results of the study; otherwise, it is merely speculation. Looking at a prior example, it would be incorrect to state that a factor in improving girls access to education in Azerbaijan and the policy implications this may have for improving access in other Muslim nations is due to girls access to social media if there is no documentary evidence from your case study to indicate this. There may be anecdotal evidence that retention rates were better for girls who were engaged with social media, but this observation would only point to the need for further research and would not be a definitive finding if this was not a part of your original research agenda.

Failure to Document Limitations No case is going to reveal all that needs to be understood about a research problem. Therefore, just as you have to clearly state the limitations of a general research study , you must describe the specific limitations inherent in the subject of analysis. For example, the case of studying how women conceptualize the need for water conservation in a village in Uganda could have limited application in other cultural contexts or in areas where fresh water from rivers or lakes is plentiful and, therefore, conservation is understood more in terms of managing access rather than preserving access to a scarce resource.

Failure to Extrapolate All Possible Implications Just as you don't want to over-generalize from your case study findings, you also have to be thorough in the consideration of all possible outcomes or recommendations derived from your findings. If you do not, your reader may question the validity of your analysis, particularly if you failed to document an obvious outcome from your case study research. For example, in the case of studying the accident at the railroad crossing to evaluate where and what types of warning signals should be located, you failed to take into consideration speed limit signage as well as warning signals. When designing your case study, be sure you have thoroughly addressed all aspects of the problem and do not leave gaps in your analysis that leave the reader questioning the results.

Case Studies. Writing@CSU. Colorado State University; Gerring, John. Case Study Research: Principles and Practices . New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007; Merriam, Sharan B. Qualitative Research and Case Study Applications in Education . Rev. ed. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 1998; Miller, Lisa L. “The Use of Case Studies in Law and Social Science Research.” Annual Review of Law and Social Science 14 (2018): TBD; Mills, Albert J., Gabrielle Durepos, and Eiden Wiebe, editors. Encyclopedia of Case Study Research . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2010; Putney, LeAnn Grogan. "Case Study." In Encyclopedia of Research Design , Neil J. Salkind, editor. (Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2010), pp. 116-120; Simons, Helen. Case Study Research in Practice . London: SAGE Publications, 2009;  Kratochwill,  Thomas R. and Joel R. Levin, editors. Single-Case Research Design and Analysis: New Development for Psychology and Education .  Hilldsale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1992; Swanborn, Peter G. Case Study Research: What, Why and How? London : SAGE, 2010; Yin, Robert K. Case Study Research: Design and Methods . 6th edition. Los Angeles, CA, SAGE Publications, 2014; Walo, Maree, Adrian Bull, and Helen Breen. “Achieving Economic Benefits at Local Events: A Case Study of a Local Sports Event.” Festival Management and Event Tourism 4 (1996): 95-106.

Writing Tip

At Least Five Misconceptions about Case Study Research

Social science case studies are often perceived as limited in their ability to create new knowledge because they are not randomly selected and findings cannot be generalized to larger populations. Flyvbjerg examines five misunderstandings about case study research and systematically "corrects" each one. To quote, these are:

Misunderstanding 1 :  General, theoretical [context-independent] knowledge is more valuable than concrete, practical [context-dependent] knowledge. Misunderstanding 2 :  One cannot generalize on the basis of an individual case; therefore, the case study cannot contribute to scientific development. Misunderstanding 3 :  The case study is most useful for generating hypotheses; that is, in the first stage of a total research process, whereas other methods are more suitable for hypotheses testing and theory building. Misunderstanding 4 :  The case study contains a bias toward verification, that is, a tendency to confirm the researcher’s preconceived notions. Misunderstanding 5 :  It is often difficult to summarize and develop general propositions and theories on the basis of specific case studies [p. 221].

While writing your paper, think introspectively about how you addressed these misconceptions because to do so can help you strengthen the validity and reliability of your research by clarifying issues of case selection, the testing and challenging of existing assumptions, the interpretation of key findings, and the summation of case outcomes. Think of a case study research paper as a complete, in-depth narrative about the specific properties and key characteristics of your subject of analysis applied to the research problem.

Flyvbjerg, Bent. “Five Misunderstandings About Case-Study Research.” Qualitative Inquiry 12 (April 2006): 219-245.

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All You Wanted to Know About How to Write a Case Study

What do you study in your college? If you are a psychology, sociology, or anthropology student, we bet you might be familiar with what a case study is. This research method is used to study a certain person, group, or situation. In this guide from our dissertation writing service , you will learn how to write a case study professionally, from researching to citing sources properly. Also, we will explore different types of case studies and show you examples — so that you won’t have any other questions left.

What Is a Case Study?

A case study is a subcategory of research design which investigates problems and offers solutions. Case studies can range from academic research studies to corporate promotional tools trying to sell an idea—their scope is quite vast.

What Is the Difference Between a Research Paper and a Case Study?

While research papers turn the reader’s attention to a certain problem, case studies go even further. Case study guidelines require students to pay attention to details, examining issues closely and in-depth using different research methods. For example, case studies may be used to examine court cases if you study Law, or a patient's health history if you study Medicine. Case studies are also used in Marketing, which are thorough, empirically supported analysis of a good or service's performance. Well-designed case studies can be valuable for prospective customers as they can identify and solve the potential customers pain point.

Case studies involve a lot of storytelling – they usually examine particular cases for a person or a group of people. This method of research is very helpful, as it is very practical and can give a lot of hands-on information. Most commonly, the length of the case study is about 500-900 words, which is much less than the length of an average research paper.

The structure of a case study is very similar to storytelling. It has a protagonist or main character, which in your case is actually a problem you are trying to solve. You can use the system of 3 Acts to make it a compelling story. It should have an introduction, rising action, a climax where transformation occurs, falling action, and a solution.

Here is a rough formula for you to use in your case study:

Problem (Act I): > Solution (Act II) > Result (Act III) > Conclusion.

Types of Case Studies

The purpose of a case study is to provide detailed reports on an event, an institution, a place, future customers, or pretty much anything. There are a few common types of case study, but the type depends on the topic. The following are the most common domains where case studies are needed:

• Historical case studies are great to learn from. Historical events have a multitude of source info offering different perspectives. There are always modern parallels where these perspectives can be applied, compared, and thoroughly analyzed.
• Problem-oriented case studies are usually used for solving problems. These are often assigned as theoretical situations where you need to immerse yourself in the situation to examine it. Imagine you’re working for a startup and you’ve just noticed a significant flaw in your product’s design. Before taking it to the senior manager, you want to do a comprehensive study on the issue and provide solutions. On a greater scale, problem-oriented case studies are a vital part of relevant socio-economic discussions.
• Cumulative case studies collect information and offer comparisons. In business, case studies are often used to tell people about the value of a product.
• Critical case studies explore the causes and effects of a certain case.
• Illustrative case studies describe certain events, investigating outcomes and lessons learned.

Need a compelling case study? EssayPro has got you covered. Our experts are ready to provide you with detailed, insightful case studies that capture the essence of real-world scenarios. Elevate your academic work with our professional assistance.

Case Study Format

The case study format is typically made up of eight parts:

• Executive Summary. Explain what you will examine in the case study. Write an overview of the field you’re researching. Make a thesis statement and sum up the results of your observation in a maximum of 2 sentences.
• Background. Provide background information and the most relevant facts. Isolate the issues.
• Case Evaluation. Isolate the sections of the study you want to focus on. In it, explain why something is working or is not working.
• Proposed Solutions. Offer realistic ways to solve what isn’t working or how to improve its current condition. Explain why these solutions work by offering testable evidence.
• Conclusion. Summarize the main points from the case evaluations and proposed solutions. 6. Recommendations. Talk about the strategy that you should choose. Explain why this choice is the most appropriate.
• Implementation. Explain how to put the specific strategies into action.
• References. Provide all the citations.

How to Write a Case Study

Let's discover how to write a case study.

Setting Up the Research

When writing a case study, remember that research should always come first. Reading many different sources and analyzing other points of view will help you come up with more creative solutions. You can also conduct an actual interview to thoroughly investigate the customer story that you'll need for your case study. Including all of the necessary research, writing a case study may take some time. The research process involves doing the following:

• Define your objective. Explain the reason why you’re presenting your subject. Figure out where you will feature your case study; whether it is written, on video, shown as an infographic, streamed as a podcast, etc.
• Determine who will be the right candidate for your case study. Get permission, quotes, and other features that will make your case study effective. Get in touch with your candidate to see if they approve of being part of your work. Study that candidate’s situation and note down what caused it.
• Identify which various consequences could result from the situation. Follow these guidelines on how to start a case study: surf the net to find some general information you might find useful.
• Make a list of credible sources and examine them. Seek out important facts and highlight problems. Always write down your ideas and make sure to brainstorm.
• Focus on several key issues – why they exist, and how they impact your research subject. Think of several unique solutions. Draw from class discussions, readings, and personal experience. When writing a case study, focus on the best solution and explore it in depth. After having all your research in place, writing a case study will be easy. You may first want to check the rubric and criteria of your assignment for the correct case study structure.

Read Also: 'CREDIBLE SOURCES: WHAT ARE THEY?'

Although your instructor might be looking at slightly different criteria, every case study rubric essentially has the same standards. Your professor will want you to exhibit 8 different outcomes:

• Correctly identify the concepts, theories, and practices in the discipline.
• Identify the relevant theories and principles associated with the particular study.
• Evaluate legal and ethical principles and apply them to your decision-making.
• Recognize the global importance and contribution of your case.
• Construct a coherent summary and explanation of the study.
• Demonstrate analytical and critical-thinking skills.
• Explain the interrelationships between the environment and nature.
• Integrate theory and practice of the discipline within the analysis.

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Case Study Outline

Let's look at the structure of an outline based on the issue of the alcoholic addiction of 30 people.

Introduction

• Statement of the issue: Alcoholism is a disease rather than a weakness of character.
• Presentation of the problem: Alcoholism is affecting more than 14 million people in the USA, which makes it the third most common mental illness there.
• Explanation of the terms: In the past, alcoholism was commonly referred to as alcohol dependence or alcohol addiction. Alcoholism is now the more severe stage of this addiction in the disorder spectrum.
• Hypotheses: Drinking in excess can lead to the use of other drugs.
• Importance of your story: How the information you present can help people with their addictions.
• Background of the story: Include an explanation of why you chose this topic.
• Presentation of analysis and data: Describe the criteria for choosing 30 candidates, the structure of the interview, and the outcomes.
• Strong argument 1: ex. X% of candidates dealing with anxiety and depression...
• Strong argument 2: ex. X amount of people started drinking by their mid-teens.
• Strong argument 3: ex. X% of respondents’ parents had issues with alcohol.
• Concluding statement: I have researched if alcoholism is a disease and found out that…
• Recommendations: Ways and actions for preventing alcohol use.

Writing a Case Study Draft

After you’ve done your case study research and written the outline, it’s time to focus on the draft. In a draft, you have to develop and write your case study by using: the data which you collected throughout the research, interviews, and the analysis processes that were undertaken. Follow these rules for the draft:

• Your draft should contain at least 4 sections: an introduction; a body where you should include background information, an explanation of why you decided to do this case study, and a presentation of your main findings; a conclusion where you present data; and references.
• In the introduction, you should set the pace very clearly. You can even raise a question or quote someone you interviewed in the research phase. It must provide adequate background information on the topic. The background may include analyses of previous studies on your topic. Include the aim of your case here as well. Think of it as a thesis statement. The aim must describe the purpose of your work—presenting the issues that you want to tackle. Include background information, such as photos or videos you used when doing the research.
• Describe your unique research process, whether it was through interviews, observations, academic journals, etc. The next point includes providing the results of your research. Tell the audience what you found out. Why is this important, and what could be learned from it? Discuss the real implications of the problem and its significance in the world.
• Include quotes and data (such as findings, percentages, and awards). This will add a personal touch and better credibility to the case you present. Explain what results you find during your interviews in regards to the problem and how it developed. Also, write about solutions which have already been proposed by other people who have already written about this case.
• At the end of your case study, you should offer possible solutions, but don’t worry about solving them yourself.

Use Data to Illustrate Key Points in Your Case Study

Even though your case study is a story, it should be based on evidence. Use as much data as possible to illustrate your point. Without the right data, your case study may appear weak and the readers may not be able to relate to your issue as much as they should. Let's see the examples from essay writing service :

‍ With data: Alcoholism is affecting more than 14 million people in the USA, which makes it the third most common mental illness there. Without data: A lot of people suffer from alcoholism in the United States.

Try to include as many credible sources as possible. You may have terms or sources that could be hard for other cultures to understand. If this is the case, you should include them in the appendix or Notes for the Instructor or Professor.

Finalizing the Draft: Checklist

After you finish drafting your case study, polish it up by answering these ‘ask yourself’ questions and think about how to end your case study:

• Check that you follow the correct case study format, also in regards to text formatting.
• Check that your work is consistent with its referencing and citation style.
• Micro-editing — check for grammar and spelling issues.
• Macro-editing — does ‘the big picture’ come across to the reader? Is there enough raw data, such as real-life examples or personal experiences? Have you made your data collection process completely transparent? Does your analysis provide a clear conclusion, allowing for further research and practice?

Problems to avoid:

• Overgeneralization – Do not go into further research that deviates from the main problem.
• Failure to Document Limitations – Just as you have to clearly state the limitations of a general research study, you must describe the specific limitations inherent in the subject of analysis.
• Failure to Extrapolate All Possible Implications – Just as you don't want to over-generalize from your case study findings, you also have to be thorough in the consideration of all possible outcomes or recommendations derived from your findings.

How to Create a Title Page and Cite a Case Study

Let's see how to create an awesome title page.

Your title page depends on the prescribed citation format. The title page should include:

• A title that attracts some attention and describes your study
• The title should have the words “case study” in it
• The title should range between 5-9 words in length
• Your name and contact information
• Your finished paper should be only 500 to 1,500 words in length.With this type of assignment, write effectively and avoid fluff

Here is a template for the APA and MLA format title page:

There are some cases when you need to cite someone else's study in your own one – therefore, you need to master how to cite a case study. A case study is like a research paper when it comes to citations. You can cite it like you cite a book, depending on what style you need.

Citation Example in MLA ‍ Hill, Linda, Tarun Khanna, and Emily A. Stecker. HCL Technologies. Boston: Harvard Business Publishing, 2008. Print.

Citation Example in APA ‍ Hill, L., Khanna, T., & Stecker, E. A. (2008). HCL Technologies. Boston: Harvard Business Publishing.

Citation Example in Chicago Hill, Linda, Tarun Khanna, and Emily A. Stecker. HCL Technologies.

Case Study Examples

To give you an idea of a professional case study example, we gathered and linked some below.

Eastman Kodak Case Study

Case Study Example: Audi Trains Mexican Autoworkers in Germany

To conclude, a case study is one of the best methods of getting an overview of what happened to a person, a group, or a situation in practice. It allows you to have an in-depth glance at the real-life problems that businesses, healthcare industry, criminal justice, etc. may face. This insight helps us look at such situations in a different light. This is because we see scenarios that we otherwise would not, without necessarily being there. If you need custom essays , try our research paper writing services .

Get Help Form Qualified Writers

Crafting a case study is not easy. You might want to write one of high quality, but you don’t have the time or expertise. If you’re having trouble with your case study, help with essay request - we'll help. EssayPro writers have read and written countless case studies and are experts in endless disciplines. Request essay writing, editing, or proofreading assistance from our custom case study writing service , and all of your worries will be gone.

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