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#FALL22????
What should I look for when deciding the college I want to go to?
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Jason’s Answer
A broad question, but here's a list to help you start your research about colleges or universities. In no particular order:
1) Cost of attendance (tuition + fees, scholarships, grants, financial aid)
2) Academic offerings (degree majors, specialties, unique programs)
3) Post-graduation support (job search help, alumni networks, career advisors)
4) Campus activities (sports, recreation, student organizations, clubs, traditions)
5) Location, Location, Location
6) Student-Faculty ratio (typical class sizes, big or small enrollment)
7) Acceptance requirements (test scores, deadlines, acceptance rate)
8) Housing (on-campus, off-campus, local transportation options)
9) School or Program rankings as published by places like US News and World
10) Accreditation and recognition from reputable sources
Knowing what you value is going to also be an important consideration as well, so just because a school ranks high doesn't mean it is the best option you should consider if it doesn't meet your biggest priority like providing the program you want to study. Good luck!
1) Cost of attendance (tuition + fees, scholarships, grants, financial aid)
2) Academic offerings (degree majors, specialties, unique programs)
3) Post-graduation support (job search help, alumni networks, career advisors)
4) Campus activities (sports, recreation, student organizations, clubs, traditions)
5) Location, Location, Location
6) Student-Faculty ratio (typical class sizes, big or small enrollment)
7) Acceptance requirements (test scores, deadlines, acceptance rate)
8) Housing (on-campus, off-campus, local transportation options)
9) School or Program rankings as published by places like US News and World
10) Accreditation and recognition from reputable sources
Knowing what you value is going to also be an important consideration as well, so just because a school ranks high doesn't mean it is the best option you should consider if it doesn't meet your biggest priority like providing the program you want to study. Good luck!
Updated
Amanda’s Answer
Hi Erika,
First off, I want to wish you the best of luck during this process! Deciding on a college can be overwhelming, but it is also so exciting to know that there are many opportunities out in the world for you.
Here are some helpful points that can guide you. When answering the below, imagine your college experience over the next 4 years
1. Attend college office hours or sessions. Many colleges host information sessions to newly accepted students. Take advantage of these sessions to hear more about what the college offers, and what students say about their school.
2. Consider location of the college. Are you hoping to stay close to where you are currently? Are you interested in exploring a new city or area?
3. Type of college campus. All colleges have a unique campus feel. Some are directly in cities, while others are in more urban locations. How important is the type of campus to you?
4. Size of the college. Do you want to go to a very large college, with thousands to tens of thousands of students, a medium sized college, or a small college? The size of the college can be an important consideration when applying.
5. Extracurriculars offered by the college. Are there any activities that you are interested in pursuing in college? Such as singing, playing instruments, dancing, helping others, planning events, etc.? Research a bit about what types of extracurricular activities a certain college offers that you can participate in.
First off, I want to wish you the best of luck during this process! Deciding on a college can be overwhelming, but it is also so exciting to know that there are many opportunities out in the world for you.
Here are some helpful points that can guide you. When answering the below, imagine your college experience over the next 4 years
1. Attend college office hours or sessions. Many colleges host information sessions to newly accepted students. Take advantage of these sessions to hear more about what the college offers, and what students say about their school.
2. Consider location of the college. Are you hoping to stay close to where you are currently? Are you interested in exploring a new city or area?
3. Type of college campus. All colleges have a unique campus feel. Some are directly in cities, while others are in more urban locations. How important is the type of campus to you?
4. Size of the college. Do you want to go to a very large college, with thousands to tens of thousands of students, a medium sized college, or a small college? The size of the college can be an important consideration when applying.
5. Extracurriculars offered by the college. Are there any activities that you are interested in pursuing in college? Such as singing, playing instruments, dancing, helping others, planning events, etc.? Research a bit about what types of extracurricular activities a certain college offers that you can participate in.
Updated
Megan’s Answer
Proximity- In state tuition is always way cheaper than out of state tuition.
Degrees offered- Every College has different degree options. If you already know what you’re interested in pursuing choose a college that has your major.
Tuition- prices vary GREATLY between community college public universities and private universities.
On campus living/sororities/ fraternities are you looking to live on campus join clubs and have a whole “experience” or are you trying to get through it living at home. Different schools offer different options.
Scholarship aid- every college has different scholarships available.
Good luck
Degrees offered- Every College has different degree options. If you already know what you’re interested in pursuing choose a college that has your major.
Tuition- prices vary GREATLY between community college public universities and private universities.
On campus living/sororities/ fraternities are you looking to live on campus join clubs and have a whole “experience” or are you trying to get through it living at home. Different schools offer different options.
Scholarship aid- every college has different scholarships available.
Good luck
Updated
Nivin’s Answer
I would be looking for institutions that offer a wide array of programs and financially tolerable fees. Either it should have the program that leads you to your desired career, whether it is in Accounting, Nursing, the IT field , Consulting, grad school focused majors for Medicine, Pharmacy, Law, and PT, or have a good breadth of programs that can provide you with options once you figure out what career you want to follow or if you change your mind after having already picked something.
The second thing I would be looking for is tuition. Some might rank tuition ahead of program choices and I wouldn’t disagree. Its all subjective to one’s current personal financial situation, individual goals/aspirations and their tolerance for future financial risk. Its your choice to go to Private vs Public. Its your choice whether you want to go out of state vs in-state. Its your choice whether you want to take loans or not; maybe your parents can help you or you have scholarships. Maybe you go to community college for your core classes and then transfer to a larger institution to get a degree; because that was the way to get the overall education for cheaper instead of spending all four years at the more larger and expensive institution. But regardless of what institution you pick, the tuition must be paid, so everyone should recognize the impact of these financial related decisions and the 'risks' you are willing to take based on a self assessment of their inner drive to achieve their individual goals.
You Live and Learn!
The second thing I would be looking for is tuition. Some might rank tuition ahead of program choices and I wouldn’t disagree. Its all subjective to one’s current personal financial situation, individual goals/aspirations and their tolerance for future financial risk. Its your choice to go to Private vs Public. Its your choice whether you want to go out of state vs in-state. Its your choice whether you want to take loans or not; maybe your parents can help you or you have scholarships. Maybe you go to community college for your core classes and then transfer to a larger institution to get a degree; because that was the way to get the overall education for cheaper instead of spending all four years at the more larger and expensive institution. But regardless of what institution you pick, the tuition must be paid, so everyone should recognize the impact of these financial related decisions and the 'risks' you are willing to take based on a self assessment of their inner drive to achieve their individual goals.
You Live and Learn!