How should you decide what college you want to go to?

Hi Felix!

I went through this process as well when I was picking my college. I think the main thing to think about are twofold: cultural fit and cost. First and foremost, you should try to take as little debt as possible. It puts you at a huge disadvantage after college to pay off all the debt you acquired over school. Its also a huge burden and stress on you as you trying to earn your degree.

Next is cultural fit. I think most top college programs/public colleges are pretty on par. Once you narrow your list to your top 5 acceptances, the differences are mainly in culture. Academics, food, location, etc. etc., are just a small part but cultural fit is really important. Why is it important? You're spending the next 4 years of school somewhere and you want to make sure you love the school you are at. Are the type of students at the school similar to your interests? Do you value school pride? Do you want a school focused on sports or academics? Make sure these are answered because if you don't get this right, you'll hate your college experience. Academics and job placement are good and all but I think that is driven more by individual passion. I've met students from very small colleges but they are just as capable to secure top internships or placement in the best companies.

Good luck with your decision :)

Deciding on a college is a big and often confusing process. There are so many factors to consider, and it can be tough to sort through them all. That said, there are organizations out there that can help break this big decision into smaller manageable pieces (collegeboard.com has a great set of questions to help you filter colleges).

In my personal opinion, the three most important things to consider when choosing a college are 1) academics; 2) support system; 3) money.

First, academics. With all the different decisions you have to make about college, it can be easy to forget that academics are the most important. Does the college offer classes you're interested in (colleges will post possible majors and directory of classes on their website)? Will you get enough attention from professors (check professor : student ratio)? What is the college graduation rate? You want to leave college with more knowledge than you came in with, of course :)

Second, support system. As important as academics are, college involves a lot of changes that can be really stressful. For many people, it's the first time they're away from family; the first time they have to make a whole new set of friends; and the first time they have to manage classwork on their own. You want to make sure that current students are happy and feel supported. Ask them whether they feel like there's a supportive community on campus. Learn about college counselors and what kind of academic guidance they offer. Make sure there are mental and emotional support services on campus.

Third, money. Consider your current financial situation, learn about the financial aid options that schools provide, talk to your family about whether you're able to take out loans (though keep loans as limited as possible), and consider the earning potential of your field of work. It's important that you don't leave college with a huge financial burden that you won't be able to dig out of. That said, I wouldn't limit your applications based on finances right away. You want as many options as possible, so apply to all colleges that interest you (depending on your financial situation, you may even be able to waive your application fee). If you're admitted to multiple schools, you can often get some colleges to match financial aid/scholarship offers from other colleges.

Best of luck!

Well, Felix, your question is a fair question and I feel like a lot of people do not have the guts to ask such a question directly. For years, there was the concept of those who go to college are guaranteed a job once they graduate. In many parts of the world, while being a four-year college, students work on their career plan and once they graduate they start working immediately. Now, times have changed. I would say that deciding to go to college has become a requirement even for a basic level job. So first, I would say make sure your decision is final that going to college is something you REALLY want to do. There is no one way to decide which college you want to go to. If I had to pick one, I would pick money/finances. College can get really expensive and MANY students end up in a lot of debt so make sure you aware of this, even if you take out loans, remember that you have to pay them back. So, because of this, many students decide to go to a community college. Community Colleges, for the most part, has expanded immensely since I went, and I know that some community colleges offer 4-year degree programs that are the same as going to a four-year university. Check out if there are any community colleges in your area and see what kind of programs they have to get an overview.

The location I would say is important because that also costs. If it is in your hometown but you have to drive 30 mins to an hour a majority of the time then you need to make sure it is in your family's or your budget to provide for gas money. Going to an another state is even MORE expensive and if you decide to take out loans, you can be even more in debt. That is why like I said before community colleges are an option.

If you cannot decide what career you want to pursue, looking into different programs a college has to offer can be your gateway in triggering your interest. You will not know unless you take the time to look into it.

I hope this answers your question, just remember that there is no one way of deciding on how to find a college, Keep in mind that deciding to go to college should fit YOUR interests first! After all, you will be the one balancing your schedule, working on assignments, trying to make free time etc. Deciding to go to college is a big step so take the time to see what works for you. Good luck!