College Red Flags vs. Green Flags 🚩

Sometimes I wonder what my life would’ve been like had I gone to Stanford or Yale instead of MIT. I cannot fathom what direction my life would’ve taken. Would I still have studied computer science? Would I have started Gohar’s Guide? Would I be writing this newsletter?

Of course not.

The college you choose has a profound impact that extends beyond what you simply learn. Your choice affects your personality, career, friendships, and so much more.

To make this choice a bit easier, let’s cover some red flags and green flags to look out for in a college.

Red Flags

Locked Into a Major Too Early

MIT doesn’t require students to declare their major until the start of their junior year. I was lucky that I knew what I wanted to study by the end of freshman year, but one of my friends needed that extra year to explore.

About 80% of college students change their major at least once. If a college forces you to declare your major on your application or in your first semester, that’s fine. However, if the college locks you into a major without easy pathways to explore or switch, THEN you should proceed with caution.

Unless you have a strong understanding of your interests and future ambitious, you should always seek out that extra flexibility. The best universities understand that exploration is part of the college experience and give you time to figure things out.

Campus Is an Island

Pay close attention to the surrounding environment as you’re visiting colleges. By “island,” I don’t just mean colleges that are in the middle of nowhere—I also mean colleges that may be in an unsafe environment, which traps you in the campus bubble.

Sure, there might be a charm to an “island campus” that has everything you need within talking distance. But trust me, by junior year, you’ll be craving different experiences. Having access to internships, cultural events, and just generally being able to escape the environment will do wonders for your mental health and professional development.

Lack of Career Support

Speaking of professional development, investigate a college’s career center before committing. What's their job placement rate? Do they have connections with companies you're interested in? How early do they start preparing students for the workforce?

The vast majority of young people attend college just so they can command a higher-paying job after graduation. Ensure that the school you choose prepares you for workforce from day one, not just in your senior year when panic sets in.

Green Flags

Interdisciplinary Majors

The future belongs to those who can work across multiple disciplines. The most innovative solutions often come from combining seemingly unrelated fields.

Colleges that offer interdisciplinary majors or make it easy to double major are signaling that they understand this reality. Look for programs like “Business and Sustainability" or "Computer Science and Psychology," which is an actual major at Yale (and a reason I applied).

These combinations might sound weird now but could give you a unique edge in the job market.

Bulletin Boards Are Buzzing

This might sound silly, but check out the bulletin boards when you visit campus. Are they empty? Outdated? Or are they overflowing with club announcements, research opportunities, and campus events?

Active bulletin boards (both physical and digital) are usually a sign of a vibrant campus community. They show that students are engaged, passionate, and taking initiative. These are the people you want to be surrounded by for four years.

Active Alumni Network

The relationships you build in college don't end at graduation. An active alumni network can open doors throughout your entire career.

Research how engaged alumni are with current students. Do they return for mentorship programs? Offer internships? Participate in networking events?

MIT, for example, has a few alumni clubs in my home state—these are hubs where, yes, I can access resources, but more importantly, connect with fellow alumni and celebrate our shared experiences.

Choosing a college is one of the biggest decisions you'll make, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. By watching out for these red and green flags, you can find a place that will not just educate you, but transform you.

If you have any questions about the admissions process, feel free to DM me on Instagram (@goharsguide). I won’t be able to respond to everyone, but I’ll do my best!

If you want study help, come join my Discord! We have a global community of students helping each other succeed in school. I’d love to see you there.

If you’re ready to level up this school year, check out Scholar OS. It’s the ultimate Notion template designed to help you organize your classes and life in one place.

I’ll see you next week!

Best,
Gohar