Mahalet
What should I look for in a college?
I have a large number of colleges that I have been looking at, but I do not know how to narrow down my options. What is considered a "good" college or a "bad" college? What are some good characteristics I should look for in a college (like tuition, financial aid, campus, etc.)? #college #college-selection #college-advice
3 answers
Veronika Garland, PMP
Veronika’s Answer
When choosing a college, it's important to consider many factors, and the significance of each factor varies depending on your personal preferences, career goals, and lifestyle.
Here are a few key points to consider:
Academic Programs: It's crucial that the college offers the major or program you're interested in. Even if you're undecided, look for schools with a wide range of programs so you have room to explore.
Accreditation: Ensure the college is accredited. Accreditation is a process by which colleges are evaluated for quality standards. A degree from an accredited institution is more likely to be recognized by employers and other educational institutions.
Location: Do you prefer a college in a big city or a small town, city or rural? Do you want to study close to home or experience a new environment? The location can greatly impact your college experience.
Size: The size of the college can influence the student-to-faculty ratio, the range of academic offerings, the variety of extracurricular activities, and the overall campus atmosphere.
Costs and Financial Aid: Consider the total cost of attending the college, including tuition, room and board, books, and living expenses. Investigate what financial aid, scholarships, and work-study opportunities the college offers.
Campus Culture: This includes the social scene, extracurricular activities, student organizations, and the general atmosphere of the college. These should align with your interests and values.
Career Services: Check if the college has a robust career services office that helps with internships, job placement, and career advice.
Graduation Rate Retention Rate and Post-Graduation Success: It's important to check the college's graduation rate, which can be an indicator of student satisfaction and program effectiveness. Also, consider the employment rate of graduates in your desired field.
Diversity: Consider the diversity of the student body if this is important to you. A diverse campus can offer a rich array of perspectives and experiences.
Remember, college is a significant investment of time, effort, and money. Take your time to research and visit multiple, different colleges before making a decision. Good luck!
Ratheesvar (Theesh) Mohan
Ratheesvar (Theesh)’s Answer
There are several factors that make a college a good fit for any individual. Here are some of the most important ones, in no particular order:
Rank/quality/prestige of the program one is applying for (along with that of the college as a whole)
Cost and availability of scholarships/financial aid; related: median income of graduating class
Retention and graduation rate of the incoming undergraduate class
Average class size (in the program of interest) and availability of supplementary academic aid
Availability of other quality programs to double major or minor in
Opportunities to study abroad (if that's something you would be interested in)
Opportunities for undergraduate research
Effectiveness of career services provided
Existence and activeness of student government, clubs, societies, organizations, etc.
Quality of campus (depends on preference; some prefer a traditional, sprawling campus while others prefer a more urban vibe, etc.)
Campus facilities available (e.g. study spaces, dining halls/outlets, labs, fitness/recreational facilities, campus police, etc.)
Proximity to firms operating in fields of interest (for relatively easier access to professional circles, networking events, etc.)
Diversity of student body
Access to health services, including mental health/counseling
Alumni network
There are several other factors, I'm sure, but this list should help get you thinking in the right direction. Hope this helps, and good luck! :)
-Theesh
Thank you so much Theesh! This really helped me out!
Mahalet
Kristin Kastner
Kristin’s Answer
Hi Mahalet!
Looking at colleges can be overwhelming, so I want to preface my answer with "don't get discouraged". :-)
I would say the first thing to do to narrow your search down would be to consider how far away from home you want to go. I know for me, I was very close with my family, and didn't want to be far in case something happened and I needed to get home. By narrowing your location down, that will help to bring the amount of colleges down.
The next thing I would consider is what you want to major in, or what you think you want to major in and look at the schools within that location range and see which has the best programs. The term "best" in my previous sentence can be based on a personal preference; for example, I went to a small, private university right down the road from an Ivy League school. While some would say the Ivy League school is better, I felt the smaller school was better for me and my learning, and the program I majored in was more interesting to me.
After you narrow those schools down, start exploring! Check out their websites, schedule a campus tour (if you can), try and see if you can talk to current students or alumni (some schools have programs like that) to get their take on the campus, school, and the programs.
Tuition and financial aid while they are important, they're wild cards. Not knowing how much financial aid you will get, or even scholarships could be a factor in choosing your school. I would say when you decide to apply, check out scholarships you can apply for, see what financial aid can offer, and when you get the multiple acceptances, you can use those factors to help you make a decision on where you decide to go.
One other piece of advice I want to offer you...enjoy this time looking for schools. I stressed myself out more than I should have, and didn't enjoy going to the campus visits and college fairs with my parents and friends as much as I wish I had. Find someone you trust and enjoy spending time with and take them with you on these adventures. It not only will be good memories, but it will ease the tension of trying to pick the perfect school. Remember...the perfect school for you is the one that feels right. :-)
Thank you so much!
Mahalet