9 answers
Victoria
Student
Wareham, Massachusetts
1
Question
Updated
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How do I compare and choose the school that is the best fit for me and my career?
I want to stay in Massachusetts and I plan to study advertising and marketing. I want to choose a good school that won't leave me in debt for thirty years when I get out of school. There are so many possibilities and it is diff ult to find the perfect fit. What main aspects should I be looking for in a school to help me thrive in my career?
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9 answers
Calvin Ward
Sr. Analyst - Executive Relations Group
1
Answer
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Calvin’s Answer
Good question Victoria. I would suggest the following items to consider:
a) What college offers your specific major and the curriculum offered
b) What is your GPA and high school achievements? This will have a large impact to your financial aid package
c) Cost and Financial Aid Offered
d) College size - Do you want to graduate in 4 years, colleges with 20K+ students it might take 5-6 years to graduate due to the demand for classes, my son is going to a smaller college and he will graduate in 3 1/2 years
e) School Amenities and Student Services
f) School Culture, Values, and Beliefs
g) Do they offer a competitive graduate program if you choose to pursue a Master's degree in your field of study
I believe these are some critical items to review and discuss with your parents in order to help choose the best college fit for yourself.
a) What college offers your specific major and the curriculum offered
b) What is your GPA and high school achievements? This will have a large impact to your financial aid package
c) Cost and Financial Aid Offered
d) College size - Do you want to graduate in 4 years, colleges with 20K+ students it might take 5-6 years to graduate due to the demand for classes, my son is going to a smaller college and he will graduate in 3 1/2 years
e) School Amenities and Student Services
f) School Culture, Values, and Beliefs
g) Do they offer a competitive graduate program if you choose to pursue a Master's degree in your field of study
I believe these are some critical items to review and discuss with your parents in order to help choose the best college fit for yourself.
Ryan Curry
Techreative | Vetrepreneur | Culturategist
84
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Hey Victoria,
Such a fun challenge! I would start by looking for a school with a good reputation in the field of advertising and marketing, and make sure the school is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency. This will ensure that your degree will be respected by employers in the industry.
Then look at the curriculum that is comprehensive and up-to-date with current industry trends and practices. Make sure the program covers topics such as branding, consumer behavior, digital marketing, social media, and advertising strategy.
You can even do some research on the faculty who have worked in the industry and can provide you with real-world insights and connections.
Some schools include this in their curriculum internship opportunities. This will give you hands-on experience in the industry and help you build a professional network.
It's a difficult balance weighing the cost of a great school with all the attributes. The question you might also consider is if going to a better college even if it costs more could propel you into your career with a higher earning.
Such a fun challenge! I would start by looking for a school with a good reputation in the field of advertising and marketing, and make sure the school is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency. This will ensure that your degree will be respected by employers in the industry.
Then look at the curriculum that is comprehensive and up-to-date with current industry trends and practices. Make sure the program covers topics such as branding, consumer behavior, digital marketing, social media, and advertising strategy.
You can even do some research on the faculty who have worked in the industry and can provide you with real-world insights and connections.
Some schools include this in their curriculum internship opportunities. This will give you hands-on experience in the industry and help you build a professional network.
It's a difficult balance weighing the cost of a great school with all the attributes. The question you might also consider is if going to a better college even if it costs more could propel you into your career with a higher earning.
Jeremy Green
Principal Engineer, Campaign Content
2
Answers
Fort Worth, Texas
Updated
Jeremy’s Answer
I recommend identifying LinkedIn users who currently hold the roles you hope to hold in the future. From there you can browse through their experience and get an idea of what path might be best for you.
Thank you this is great advice!
Victoria
Cristina Parada
Professional Development
4
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Cristina’s Answer
Hi Victoria! I recommend looking at the different majors/minors and courses available at each school. What courses excite you? Are there specific professors that you'd like to learn from?
It'd also be great to talk to current students and alumni at each of the schools. You could get their perspectives and hear more about how they navigated coursework, student life, extracurriculars, and anything else they can share about their journey!
It'd also be great to talk to current students and alumni at each of the schools. You could get their perspectives and hear more about how they navigated coursework, student life, extracurriculars, and anything else they can share about their journey!
Michael Gigliotti
Manager
1
Answer
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Lots of great advice here. One route that my wife took that I am jealous that I didn't take was: starting college at a local community college and then transferring to the school of your preference in the major of your preference. This saves you a lot of money on the front end, while also allowing you to take similar courses and learning more about the career field you are interested in. Universities are typically eager to accept community college transfers because they are very likely to complete their degree provided they have a solid GPA. Once you graduate from the college you transferred to, your degree will still show that's where you graduated from. No one needs to know you paid half the price everyone else did and you still get the prestige of the university you finished at. Best of luck in your future endeavors!
Stephanie Carilli
Digital Sales
1
Answer
Bernards, New Jersey
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
Thanks for reaching out with your question. Always remember, there's a perfect school out there for every student, it's just a matter of discovering the right match. I can tell you from personal experience, when I visited my school and interacted with the students there, I instantly knew it was the ideal place for me. It was the kind of school where everyone held the door open for the person behind them.
Before you visit a school, consider the courses they offer to ensure they align with your interests. Don't limit yourself to a school that doesn't cater to your passion. Additionally, think about the extracurricular activities available. If volunteering holds a special place in your heart, find a school that emphasizes community service. If sustainability is your thing, there are schools that have made significant efforts to create a green campus. Lastly, consider the size of the school. Whether you prefer the hustle and bustle of a big city or the charm of a small town, this is a factor you should consider before narrowing down your options.
Once you've made your choice, it's crucial to dive right in and give it your all. Be open to exploring new experiences and meeting new people. Embrace this exciting journey with an open heart and mind, and you're sure to find the perfect fit.
Before you visit a school, consider the courses they offer to ensure they align with your interests. Don't limit yourself to a school that doesn't cater to your passion. Additionally, think about the extracurricular activities available. If volunteering holds a special place in your heart, find a school that emphasizes community service. If sustainability is your thing, there are schools that have made significant efforts to create a green campus. Lastly, consider the size of the school. Whether you prefer the hustle and bustle of a big city or the charm of a small town, this is a factor you should consider before narrowing down your options.
Once you've made your choice, it's crucial to dive right in and give it your all. Be open to exploring new experiences and meeting new people. Embrace this exciting journey with an open heart and mind, and you're sure to find the perfect fit.
Keith Rodgers
Sales Director
108
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Keith’s Answer
The reality is as long as you get a piece of paper that shows that you’ve completed a specific field of study, you should be able to find a career in that field if you look hard enough. Now I will say that there are schools in programs within those schools that are prestigious. They come with a network. But, if you join industry groups, like the American banks Association, you could benefit from those very individuals who went to those same schools without the price tag. You just have to take the initiative to join the groups, ask questions and build relationships.
Aila Owens
Dartmouth '25; Premed Biochem Major; EMT
1
Answer
Alameda, California
Updated
Aila’s Answer
I think school size makes a bigger difference than people imagine so that's definitely something to pay attention to. Small schools offer closer relationships with professors, more easily accessible research opportunities, and a unified school-wide community, but can also sometimes mean the student body is cliquey and there are fewer opportunities. Large schools may have cooler more robust programs, but they may also be more competitive because there is a larger student body.
Write down things you do and don't like about your current school and see if that gives you ay guidance
Aila recommends the following next steps:
Thanks, can't wait to put this advice into action!
Victoria
Megan Nerad, CPA
Consulting Manager at PwC
43
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Megan’s Answer
Choosing a college to attend is a major life decision, so kudos to you for thinking through the decision making process!
My dream school was out-of-state with a ton of state-of-the-art amenities and specialized niche programs that piqued my interest.
The college I ended up attending was an in-state school that gave me a very generous scholarship and financial aid package, had good amenities and resources, and was close enough to home that I had a support system should I choose to go back and see my family and friends there but far enough away that I could grow into my own person.
I'd say to choose a college based on some of the following factors:
how much estimated debt would you graduate with and are you comfortable with that number as an investment in yourself
what degree you want to pursue and if the program, faculty, student orgs, and resources are there at the college to support you in that degree
reach out to alumni from those colleges to learn more about campus culture and what college was like for them
do people who go to that college and get that degree get hired and have job opportunities to choose from
My dream school was out-of-state with a ton of state-of-the-art amenities and specialized niche programs that piqued my interest.
The college I ended up attending was an in-state school that gave me a very generous scholarship and financial aid package, had good amenities and resources, and was close enough to home that I had a support system should I choose to go back and see my family and friends there but far enough away that I could grow into my own person.
I'd say to choose a college based on some of the following factors:
Megan recommends the following next steps: