Good Vibrations
Colleges—just like towns and high schools—have personalities as well as reputations. One is emotional while the other (mostly) depends on evidence (and history). But assessing a college's personality is more of a feeling than an analytical proposition. It's a flavor rather than a data point.
The vibe of a campus is intangible but you’ll detect it. And you’ll react to it. That’s an essential aspect of your college search: can you see yourself at that place?
As you get to know a campus (in person or online) keep a list of the adjectives you associate with it: friendly, intense, playful, athletic, apolitical, preppy, spirited, anonymous, funky, international… These are just a few examples of the kind of reactions you might have. It's our job (the colleges) to introduce ourselves to you; it's your job to decide if you like what you see.
Write down your impressions. (Keep a visit journal.) Then evaluate those descriptors on your terms: would those be the words you'd use to describe yourself? What's your vibe? What's the college’s vibe? Do you like it? If they overlap, there's a match! Keep exploring.