3 answers
Harmony
Student
Rockmart, Georgia
1
Question
Asked
452 views
How do I pick a good collage?
My name is harmony, and I am looking to be a Criminal Justice Lawyer. All my life I have had my mind set on this. I recently started looking into collages, and I started questioning everything. How do I know what school to pick and which one will help me the most? Please help me.
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3 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1616
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Harmony first and foremost, families and students should take their financial goals and limitations into account. College is a significant investment, so comparing the financial aid and scholarship packages offered by the schools to which your considering should be a crucial component of your decision-making process. As you compare finances, remember the bigger picture—research job placement rates and average future earnings of graduates from each school or program. In some career paths or disciplinary tracks, making the greater financial investment to attend an elite university may pay off in the long run, while students in other disciplines may find that a less expensive school with a highly regarded program would better fit their needs.
• MAJOR DEPARTMENT ACHIEVEMENTS — Chat with a professor in your prospective major department about the things the department has achieved in recent years. Have they added new facilities, concentrations or internships? Ask about honors, innovations and achievements of individual professors.
• CAREER PLACEMENT — College is all about getting the education you need to get a job in your ideal field. Talk to the college’s career services office about internships, employers in the region, job placement rates, and opportunities available to graduates.
• HANDS ON EXPERIENCE — Hands-on experience is an important credential to have on your resume upon graduation. Talk to your prospective department about internship placement rates, the ideal time to apply for them, and how that will fit in with your regular coursework.
• FINANCIAL AID AVAILABILITY — Cost of attendance varies from college to college and will cost more than just tuition. Be sure to inquire about costs associated with housing, parking, meal plans, books, and any other materials that will be needed for your major.
• DEGREE COMPLETION TIME — While evaluating cost, consider how many students graduate within four years. The amount of time it takes to finish a degree varies from college to college and can also depend on the requirements of your major.
• STUDENT/FAULTY RATIO — The size of a class may impact how you learn and how much individual attention you receive. Check with the admissions office, find out the average class size.
• COLLEGE SIZE — College size is a big factor for a lot of students. On one hand bigger schools are likely to offer a wider range of majors, but on the other hand, you might enjoy the more personalized experience that you would at a small or medium-sized school.
• LOCATION — Location can be important for a variety of reasons. The first two things most students consider are proximity to family and the size of the city in which the school is located. The location also impacts activities you may enjoy outside of class. If you enjoy kayaking or the beach, for example, you may want to consider a place near the water.
• MAJOR DEPARTMENT ACHIEVEMENTS — Chat with a professor in your prospective major department about the things the department has achieved in recent years. Have they added new facilities, concentrations or internships? Ask about honors, innovations and achievements of individual professors.
• CAREER PLACEMENT — College is all about getting the education you need to get a job in your ideal field. Talk to the college’s career services office about internships, employers in the region, job placement rates, and opportunities available to graduates.
• HANDS ON EXPERIENCE — Hands-on experience is an important credential to have on your resume upon graduation. Talk to your prospective department about internship placement rates, the ideal time to apply for them, and how that will fit in with your regular coursework.
• FINANCIAL AID AVAILABILITY — Cost of attendance varies from college to college and will cost more than just tuition. Be sure to inquire about costs associated with housing, parking, meal plans, books, and any other materials that will be needed for your major.
• DEGREE COMPLETION TIME — While evaluating cost, consider how many students graduate within four years. The amount of time it takes to finish a degree varies from college to college and can also depend on the requirements of your major.
• STUDENT/FAULTY RATIO — The size of a class may impact how you learn and how much individual attention you receive. Check with the admissions office, find out the average class size.
• COLLEGE SIZE — College size is a big factor for a lot of students. On one hand bigger schools are likely to offer a wider range of majors, but on the other hand, you might enjoy the more personalized experience that you would at a small or medium-sized school.
• LOCATION — Location can be important for a variety of reasons. The first two things most students consider are proximity to family and the size of the city in which the school is located. The location also impacts activities you may enjoy outside of class. If you enjoy kayaking or the beach, for example, you may want to consider a place near the water.
Hannah Rasmussen
Assistant and TA
4
Answers
Knoxville, Tennessee
Updated
Hannah’s Answer
Hey,
When I was applying to college, I was lost and had no idea what I was doing. Luckily my school had a counselor and I went to her to get help and direction.
I am a systematic person and made categories of my priorities giving them a number 1-10 of importance: cost to attend, ranking in the US, programs I’m interested in, location, future job prospects, etc. I then googled “which college has the best programs in bioengineering” and a list popped up. I did that for all of my categories and then did the math to give me best overall schools for me.
Go to a school counselor
Make a list
Google and weigh priorities
Calculate best overall
Look at scholarship opportunities
When I was applying to college, I was lost and had no idea what I was doing. Luckily my school had a counselor and I went to her to get help and direction.
I am a systematic person and made categories of my priorities giving them a number 1-10 of importance: cost to attend, ranking in the US, programs I’m interested in, location, future job prospects, etc. I then googled “which college has the best programs in bioengineering” and a list popped up. I did that for all of my categories and then did the math to give me best overall schools for me.
Hannah recommends the following next steps:
Christina Savoie
Workforce Management Specialist
2
Answers
Biloxi, Mississippi
Updated
Christina’s Answer
It's great that you're exploring your college options and keeping an open mind about your future. It's totally okay not to have your path set in stone just yet! Choosing a college is a big decision, and it's important to do thorough research to find the best fit for you.
When you're researching colleges, consider looking into their programs in depth and getting firsthand accounts of what the experience is like. Many colleges offer tours and information sessions that can give you a better sense of their campus life and academic offerings.
Also, think about what you bring to the table, such as scholarships or unique skills and interests. These can play a big role in your decision-making process.
Remember, you don't have to limit yourself to just one option. Explore different colleges and keep your options open. It's all about finding the place that feels right for you and aligns with your goals.
Best of luck in your college search journey!
When you're researching colleges, consider looking into their programs in depth and getting firsthand accounts of what the experience is like. Many colleges offer tours and information sessions that can give you a better sense of their campus life and academic offerings.
Also, think about what you bring to the table, such as scholarships or unique skills and interests. These can play a big role in your decision-making process.
Remember, you don't have to limit yourself to just one option. Explore different colleges and keep your options open. It's all about finding the place that feels right for you and aligns with your goals.
Best of luck in your college search journey!