Am I a Doer or a Thinker - The 30-Second Trick to Help You Pick the Right College

Students looking for colleges have it completely backward.

They'll lose sleep over admissions but won't spend five minutes thinking about what they'll actually do when they get there. It's like booking a flight without checking where it lands!

And because of this tunnel vision, they're missing something that could totally transform their entire college experience—and honestly, their whole career after that.

Here's what I've learned: it's not about finding some perfect school or crafting the most brilliant application essay.

It starts with something much simpler.

You've got to understand how your own brain works first.

Once you figure that out? Everything else falls into place. Choosing a major no longer feels overwhelming. The right college practically picks itself.

Suddenly, it all just works.

All You Need to Do Is Think About How You Think

Here's what I mean:

1. Understanding how you think is critical to helping you know what you are good at.
2. Understanding what you are good at can help you pick a field of study.
3. Picking a field of study can eventually lead you to select a Positive Return on Investment (ROI) Major.
4. Understanding how you think can help you pick a Positive ROI Major at a college that is a good Statistical Match and Emotional Fit for you!

Unfortunately, most students heading to college (and their parents) skip some of these steps.

They're so focused on just getting in that they don't really think about what happens once they're actually there.

Here's How to Determine If You Are a Doer or Thinker:

Step 1: Am I a Doer?

If you enjoy being hands-on, such as building things or experimenting, you may be a Doer. A Doer learns by doing tasks and activities rather than first learning about them.

Doers tend to jump into something before fully understanding the concept, and they are not afraid of failure, which is a common consequence of this approach (they learn from each failure and move closer to the answer with each attempt).

So you might be a Doer if the last time you had to assemble something that required instructions, you were overwhelmed with the instructions within 30 seconds and then immediately decided you could assemble it yourself.

If this sounds like you, you might be more of a Doer than a Thinker!

Step 2: Am I a Thinker?

You may be a Thinker if you prefer to think through problems and analyze information before tackling a solution.

This means that you learn best through a combination of reading, listening, and thinking. Since thinkers dislike failure, they spend more time examining and analyzing problems from different angles to avoid mistakes. Thinkers like to arrive at a solution and are confident that their answer will work before they begin.

So, you might be a Thinker if putting something together means laying out the instructions and all the parts, studying them until you understand how to complete the task, and what it looks like when finished. And when you have everything planned out, you start.

If this sounds like you, you might be more of a Thinker than a Doer!

*Remember, this is an oversimplification of complex behaviors. No one is just one or the other, but a combination of both, and you, like most, will probably adapt your style to different activities. However, it can help you get started down the right path.

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Step 3: Understand Your Doer to Thinker Ratio

Remember, you are not 100% one style or the other, but a mix of both.

The big fancy terms used to describe thinkers and doers are "adaptive thinkers" and "experiential learners."

Just know that one learning style comes more naturally to you in different situations. Knowing how you think and learn can unlock a superpower within you that you can use in your college search.

In certain situations, your Doer-to-Thinker ratio may be higher or lower. Here are a few examples:

When Studying for an Exam:

• Doer-Dominant - You may focus more on practicing sample problems, creating flashcards, and finding ways to apply the material directly.
• Thinker-Dominant - You may spend more time reading, taking notes, and trying to deeply understand the concepts and theories.

During a Group Project:

• Doer-Dominant - You may be more inclined to coordinate and delegate tasks and ensure the final product is polished and complete.
• Thinker-Dominant - You may lead the research on the topic, analyze data, and summarize critical insights.

When Working on a Creative Project:

• Doer-Dominant - You may be more focused on the hands-on execution, experimenting with materials, and iterating to bring the creative vision to life.
• Thinker-Dominant - You may spend significant time brainstorming ideas, exploring different artistic styles or approaches, and refining the conceptual vision.

Remember, you are not just one or the other but a blend of each. The difference is the ratio for each specific situation.

So, once you determine if you prefer one style over the other, you can start thinking about potential fields of study.

Field of Study

The first rule of picking a major is to realize that you aren't making a marriage decision.

While you may not want to change and waste time and tuition money, it is unlikely that at 17, you know what you want to do for the rest of your life.

It isn't until you enter college and start taking specific classes that you discover what you truly enjoy or are good at. Once you enter the real world and start your career, you may learn more about yourself and undergo further changes.

So, rather than pick a major right now, pick a field of study.

The easiest way to do that is to ask yourself if you like:

• Working with People
• Working with Data
• Working with Things
• Working with Ideas

Now you know what type of learner you are and what you prefer to work with. From here, you will have an easier time picking a major.

Doer Majors:

• Nursing
• Accounting
• Culinary Arts
• Graphic Design
• Computer Science
• Automotive Technology
• Business Administration
• Construction Management
• Engineering (e.g., mechanical, electrical, civil)

Thinker Majors:

• History
• Sociology
• Art History
• Philosophy
• Psychology
• Anthropology
• Music Theory
• Liberal Studies
• Political Science
• English Literature

The Ikea Trick: Spot a Student's Learning Style in 30 Seconds

Ever bought something from Ikea? You know the drill. You open the box and face dozens of faux-wood pieces, mysterious bolts, and gizmos you've never seen.

Two types of people emerge:

The Thinker sorts every piece first. They read each step carefully. They visualize the finished product before touching a single screw. These students approach problems methodically. They plan before they act.

The Doer glances at the directions, then dives in. They build by trial and error. Mistakes happen. Screws get removed. Parts get rebuilt. They learn through iteration, not instruction.

Which are you?

Thinkers need structure and clear explanations. Give them the roadmap first.

Doers need hands-on experience. Let them experiment and adjust.

Spot this difference in 30 seconds, and you'll know exactly how to teach them.

Doer Colleges vs Thinker Colleges

So, you have learned whether you are a Doer or a Thinker, and possibly identified a Field of Study and a major you want to pursue. Now, it makes sense to explore which colleges might be a better Fit for your needs.

Thinker Colleges

Thinker Colleges focus on research.

A research-based college aims to contribute to society by discovering new knowledge and innovation. Yes, they teach students, but that is not always the primary focus of the professors.

Research is the top priority for these universities, driving their reputation and financial growth. World-recognized experts and Nobel Prize winners give the faculty and college some of their notoriety. While this makes for an impressive name, it doesn't always translate into better outcomes for students.

Undergrads Are a Low Priority

Professors at Thinker Colleges are often more interested in their research than in teaching undergraduate students.

These professors operate under the "publish or perish" doctrine, meaning they must continually publish new research to advance their careers and secure tenure.

Many professors at Thinker Colleges don't teach lower-division classes. If they do, they typically teach in large lecture halls, while their Teaching Assistants (usually graduate students) are the ones who teach smaller, more discussion-based classes.

In addition, the professors at Thinker Colleges use their grad students to help them with their research, so undergrads are last in line to learn from famous professors.

These Thinker Colleges have huge reputations, and you will often see professors on TV giving their opinions based on their groundbreaking studies.

Here is a list of a few well-known research-based universities (there are approximately 100+ in the US):

• Yale University
• Duke University
• Stanford University
• University of Virginia
• University of Michigan
• Northwestern University
• University of Notre Dame
• New York University (NYU)
• Carnegie Mellon University
• University of Southern California
• University of California–Los Angeles
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Don't get me wrong, research colleges are excellent, but it has to be the right fit.

So, if you are a Thinker and a prestigious college name is essential to you, then be sure to include research-based colleges in your list.

*If research is crucial for you, check out the Carnegie Classification of Colleges and look for R1, R2, and R3 categories.

Doer Colleges

Colleges that emphasize practical, hands-on learning. 

These "Doer" oriented programs are found in a variety of different types of universities, particularly those with strong programs in applied sciences, engineering, and business. Doer colleges can also be technical colleges, polytechnic institutes, and vocational schools.

These colleges prioritize experiential learning.

This is done by offering:

• co-ops
• internships
• student-run laboratories.

Students can gain real-world skills directly applicable to their chosen careers.

Professors at these schools often teach lower-division undergraduate classes as part of their workload. They may also teach graduate classes related to their research.

Doer Colleges still conduct research, but it isn't their primary focus.

Since the primary focus of these colleges is often "learn by doing," the ROI is often excellent across the board, as students are well-prepared for their chosen careers and have gained valuable experience through hands-on learning.

Here is a list of a few well-known action-oriented universities:

• Virginia Tech
• Drexel University*
• Lehigh University
• Purdue University
• Texas A&M University
• Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
• California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly)

*Drexel is famous for its cooperative education program, allowing students to gain up to 18 months of real-world job experience before graduation.

Remember, you can get an excellent education and a fantastic post-graduation outcome if you are a Doer at a Thinker School or a Thinker at a Doer School.

Do not dismiss a category of college, but be aware of its focus.

Your goal is to find the best options, and where you end up should be a Statistical Match and provide an Emotional Fit.

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