7 answers
Izabella
Student
1
Question
Asked
439 views
How do I decide what college to go to?
I am working on getting my high school diploma and after that I want to go to college. I want to be set on a college and also have backup options. I want to do something in the medical field, and I want to make music.
7 answers
John Daerr
Consulting
5
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
John’s Answer
There are several things to consider when trying to find the right college.
Cost: Many colleges in the U.S. are expensive to attend and this is an important factor when considering what college to go to. Usually, public colleges within the state that you are a resident of will be cheaper for you (in-state tuition) vs public colleges in other states (out-of-state tuition). However, this is not always the case. Private colleges will often be more expensive than public colleges no matter what state they are in. Understanding how expensive college is and how you will be paying for it is the first step in determining where you want to go.
Interests/desired area of study: As you mention in you question, you have indicated that you are interested in pursuing something in the medical field and you want to make music. There are plenty of colleges around the U.S. that have great medical degrees, music degrees, or both. Generally, large, state colleges will have medical departments and music departments within the same college and you could major in a medical field and minor in a music field, or vice versa. Other colleges might only offer degrees in one specific subject but they usually are very well known for that subject. Both of these options are good, and neither is wrong.
Location: The location of the college is another factor to consider. Do you want to stay close to home or move far away? Do you care if the college is in a big city or small city? On the coast or inland? Warm or cold weather? Some people have huge preferences and care deeply about where their college is located. If that is you, you should consider some of these questions. If you don't really care about location, you will have more options to chose from.
Culture: I put this factor last as I don't think it should really decide where you end up going, but it might help you decide between two colleges that you like. Generally, larger colleges will have more sports programs, student events, and a larger culture. Think of big colleges that you have heard of like Ohio State University, University of Florida, University of Texas, Indiana University, Arizona State University. All of these are big, public colleges that boast 40,000-60,000 students on campus. They have a lot of great sports programs, events on campus all year, facilities and interest groups for all kinds of students, etc. Smaller colleges may not have huge sports programs and all different kinds of events, but they boast a different kind of culture; a smaller and more "homey" culture. You may get to know a larger percentage of the student population and get to know the professors better since they won't be teaching thousands of students. Again, I do not think that these differences should decide where you end up going, but they are something to keep in the back of the mind. Every college will have a different culture, but it is largely up to you how you make it.
Personally, I went to Indiana University. It was within my budget (in-state tuition) and was a leading school within my area of interest/study (international affairs and business). The location didn't really matter to me that much. I did want to go to a bigger school that has established sports programs (huge sports guy) but that wasn't the reason I chose Indiana. I chose Indiana University first a foremost because it was affordable and had what I was interested in studying. To me, those are the most important factors to consider. But, everyone is different and has different preferences and that must be taken into account when finding your college.
Cost: Many colleges in the U.S. are expensive to attend and this is an important factor when considering what college to go to. Usually, public colleges within the state that you are a resident of will be cheaper for you (in-state tuition) vs public colleges in other states (out-of-state tuition). However, this is not always the case. Private colleges will often be more expensive than public colleges no matter what state they are in. Understanding how expensive college is and how you will be paying for it is the first step in determining where you want to go.
Interests/desired area of study: As you mention in you question, you have indicated that you are interested in pursuing something in the medical field and you want to make music. There are plenty of colleges around the U.S. that have great medical degrees, music degrees, or both. Generally, large, state colleges will have medical departments and music departments within the same college and you could major in a medical field and minor in a music field, or vice versa. Other colleges might only offer degrees in one specific subject but they usually are very well known for that subject. Both of these options are good, and neither is wrong.
Location: The location of the college is another factor to consider. Do you want to stay close to home or move far away? Do you care if the college is in a big city or small city? On the coast or inland? Warm or cold weather? Some people have huge preferences and care deeply about where their college is located. If that is you, you should consider some of these questions. If you don't really care about location, you will have more options to chose from.
Culture: I put this factor last as I don't think it should really decide where you end up going, but it might help you decide between two colleges that you like. Generally, larger colleges will have more sports programs, student events, and a larger culture. Think of big colleges that you have heard of like Ohio State University, University of Florida, University of Texas, Indiana University, Arizona State University. All of these are big, public colleges that boast 40,000-60,000 students on campus. They have a lot of great sports programs, events on campus all year, facilities and interest groups for all kinds of students, etc. Smaller colleges may not have huge sports programs and all different kinds of events, but they boast a different kind of culture; a smaller and more "homey" culture. You may get to know a larger percentage of the student population and get to know the professors better since they won't be teaching thousands of students. Again, I do not think that these differences should decide where you end up going, but they are something to keep in the back of the mind. Every college will have a different culture, but it is largely up to you how you make it.
Personally, I went to Indiana University. It was within my budget (in-state tuition) and was a leading school within my area of interest/study (international affairs and business). The location didn't really matter to me that much. I did want to go to a bigger school that has established sports programs (huge sports guy) but that wasn't the reason I chose Indiana. I chose Indiana University first a foremost because it was affordable and had what I was interested in studying. To me, those are the most important factors to consider. But, everyone is different and has different preferences and that must be taken into account when finding your college.
Julia Kim
Consulting
8
Answers
Arlington, Virginia
Updated
Julia’s Answer
Hi Izabella!
I would first make a list of the things you value and want to get out of college and then do as much research as you can. Some questions you should consider are:
Would you prefer a large or small school?
Do you want to stay close to home or travel far away?
What programs/majors would you like to pursue?
How much tuition can you/your family realistically afford each year?
Do you want to be in greek life, sports, other extracurriculars?
What kind of culture are you hoping to find at your college/in your college town?
The more you know about what you're personally looking for, the more you can narrow down your search. Once you've narrowed it down a bit, I would highly recommend visiting the campuses you're interested in if possible! Being at a school in person really helps you get a feel for how your life might be attending that school and living in a different city. You'll also be able to interact with students, faculty, and see academic buildings while you're on campus.
Good luck!!
I would first make a list of the things you value and want to get out of college and then do as much research as you can. Some questions you should consider are:
Would you prefer a large or small school?
Do you want to stay close to home or travel far away?
What programs/majors would you like to pursue?
How much tuition can you/your family realistically afford each year?
Do you want to be in greek life, sports, other extracurriculars?
What kind of culture are you hoping to find at your college/in your college town?
The more you know about what you're personally looking for, the more you can narrow down your search. Once you've narrowed it down a bit, I would highly recommend visiting the campuses you're interested in if possible! Being at a school in person really helps you get a feel for how your life might be attending that school and living in a different city. You'll also be able to interact with students, faculty, and see academic buildings while you're on campus.
Good luck!!
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1812
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Many students have similar question. Different colleges have strength in different subjects. Firstly, you need to find out what careers you have interest. The relevant subjects are the major and minor you can focus.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest, e.g. your hobbies, favorite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
E.g. If you have interest in medical, would you like to be a doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, phycologist, pharmacist, etc.
If you have like music, would you like to be a musician, musical artist, singer, music composer, music producer, etc.
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue. The relevant subjects are the major and minors you can pursue.
5. Explore the college review on these subjects and find out the entry criteria.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest, e.g. your hobbies, favorite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
E.g. If you have interest in medical, would you like to be a doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, phycologist, pharmacist, etc.
If you have like music, would you like to be a musician, musical artist, singer, music composer, music producer, etc.
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue. The relevant subjects are the major and minors you can pursue.
5. Explore the college review on these subjects and find out the entry criteria.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Juliana P.
Technology Consultant
24
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Juliana’s Answer
Hi Izabella,
Deciding which college to attend involves several factors. Here are some steps to help you make a decision:
Research: Start by researching colleges that offer programs in the medical field and have a strong music department. Look into their curriculum, faculty, resources, and extracurricular opportunities related to your interests. Websites like College Board's BigFuture, Niche, and Peterson's allow you to search for colleges based on your preferences, such as location, major, size, and cost. These platforms provide detailed profiles and rankings of colleges.
Prioritize: Make a list of what's important to you in a college, such as location, size, cost, academic reputation, available scholarships, campus culture, and support services. Prioritize these factors based on your personal preferences.
Visit campuses: If possible, visit the campuses of your top choices to get a feel for the environment, meet faculty and students, and explore the facilities. This can help you gauge if the college aligns with your goals and interests. If you can't visit in person, some colleges offer virtual tours and resources for this purpose.
Consider requirements: Check the admission requirements of the colleges you're interested in. Ensure you meet or can achieve the necessary qualifications, and consider the competitiveness of the programs you're interested in.
Seek guidance: Talk to your high school counselor, teachers, and professionals in the medical field or music industry. They can provide insights, recommendations, and help you explore your options further.
Create backup options: It's wise to have backup choices in case your preferred college doesn't work out. Identify other colleges that offer similar programs and meet your criteria.
Apply strategically: Submit applications to the colleges on your list, ensuring you meet their deadlines. Apply to a mix of reach, target, and safety schools to increase your chances of acceptance.
Remember, choosing a college is a personal decision, so take your time, gather information, and consider what feels right for you.
Good luck!
Deciding which college to attend involves several factors. Here are some steps to help you make a decision:
Research: Start by researching colleges that offer programs in the medical field and have a strong music department. Look into their curriculum, faculty, resources, and extracurricular opportunities related to your interests. Websites like College Board's BigFuture, Niche, and Peterson's allow you to search for colleges based on your preferences, such as location, major, size, and cost. These platforms provide detailed profiles and rankings of colleges.
Prioritize: Make a list of what's important to you in a college, such as location, size, cost, academic reputation, available scholarships, campus culture, and support services. Prioritize these factors based on your personal preferences.
Visit campuses: If possible, visit the campuses of your top choices to get a feel for the environment, meet faculty and students, and explore the facilities. This can help you gauge if the college aligns with your goals and interests. If you can't visit in person, some colleges offer virtual tours and resources for this purpose.
Consider requirements: Check the admission requirements of the colleges you're interested in. Ensure you meet or can achieve the necessary qualifications, and consider the competitiveness of the programs you're interested in.
Seek guidance: Talk to your high school counselor, teachers, and professionals in the medical field or music industry. They can provide insights, recommendations, and help you explore your options further.
Create backup options: It's wise to have backup choices in case your preferred college doesn't work out. Identify other colleges that offer similar programs and meet your criteria.
Apply strategically: Submit applications to the colleges on your list, ensuring you meet their deadlines. Apply to a mix of reach, target, and safety schools to increase your chances of acceptance.
Remember, choosing a college is a personal decision, so take your time, gather information, and consider what feels right for you.
Good luck!
Thanks for the advice.
Izabella
Kensia Saint-Hilaire
Intern
2
Answers
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Updated
Kensia’s Answer
Hello, excellent query! To begin, make a choice between attending college in your home state or elsewhere. Next, establish a financial plan, keeping in mind what you and your family can comfortably afford for your education. Identify colleges within your budget that offer top-notch programs aligned with your intended field of study. If you're uncertain about your future course of study, consider choosing a college that provides a wide variety of programs.
Rommeka James
Service Process Coordinator
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Rommeka’s Answer
Amazing Question! My advice is to do your research. Look for colleges with good medical programs and have a really good music programs, electives , or clubs in locations that fit you and your personal comfort. Depending on the school, you can pursue both your love for medicine and music while still obtaining a degree.
Bonnie Garza
Revenue Sales Operations VP
58
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Bonnie’s Answer
Hello Izabelle, rest assured that virtually all colleges and universities provide a wide array of career programs, so you're bound to have alternative options. Both the fields of Medicine and Music are highly sought-after career paths. Therefore, if you're aiming to choose a major and minor, I'm confident you'll find what you're looking for. I strongly recommend you explore the programs offered by your preferred school to make an informed decision about your career path. Wishing you all the best on your journey!
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