HOW DO I SELECT A COLLEGE
Before you start answer these questions:
Before you start answer these questions:
- Do I have an ultimate goal?
- Why do I want to go to college?
- What do I hope to achieve in college?
- What are my academic goals?
- What things do I want out of my college experience?
- Do I want to become involved in campus activities such as sports, student government, music, or theater?
- Do I want to be challenged academically?
- What do I want to study ( major )?
- What are my interests, attitudes, and abilities?
- What do I do well?
- What possible careers interest me?
- Do I want to enter the work force immediately after graduation?
- Is it important to me to have a good paying job when I graduate?
- Do I hope to attend graduate or professional school?
Which College? How to Eliminate Schools?
You will need to analyze the following to help you select or eliminate schools for further consideration based on the factors that are most important to you.
Majors/Area of Study
Does the school offer courses/majors that interest me?
Will the program of study in my area of interest help me achieve my goal?
How long does it take to achieve my goal?
What percentage of students graduate in four years?
What is the overall graduation rate?
Type
Community, Technical, or Junior Colleges
Four year colleges and Universities
Size-Smaller vs Larger
Would I like to attend a small school?
Would I be happier at a large college or university with bigger classes?
- Students have more opportunity to contribute to class discussion
-Professors may get to know you better. This is especially helpful when doing research or asking for recommendations for jobs or graduate school
- It is easier to combine fields of study that include engineering
-There are more advanced facilities and resources available at large universities.
-Nationally known and popular sports teams usually come to large universities.
Location
Do I prefer an urban environment with easy access to museums, ethnic food, and major sports teams?
Would I prefer being in a rural setting with access to skiing, hiking, and camping?
Is weather a major situation?
Cost
What type of academic atmosphere would I want?
Will I want a campus that has strong supports? extra office hours? small classes?
Do I want a general program? (Undecided)
Do I want a specific academic program?
Social Atmosphere, Culture Composition, and Quality of Life
Will I be involved in the social atmosphere?
Will I join a specific group that I have been involved in during high school?
What do the Facilities look like?
Are there athletics that I can participate in? Division 1, 2, or 3? intramurals?
What activities do they offer on campus?
Can I bring a vehicle to campus?
What services do they occur?
Is there any issues with security?
You will need to analyze the following to help you select or eliminate schools for further consideration based on the factors that are most important to you.
Majors/Area of Study
Does the school offer courses/majors that interest me?
Will the program of study in my area of interest help me achieve my goal?
How long does it take to achieve my goal?
What percentage of students graduate in four years?
What is the overall graduation rate?
Type
Community, Technical, or Junior Colleges
Four year colleges and Universities
Size-Smaller vs Larger
Would I like to attend a small school?
Would I be happier at a large college or university with bigger classes?
- Small- under 3,000 students
- Students have more opportunity to contribute to class discussion
-Professors may get to know you better. This is especially helpful when doing research or asking for recommendations for jobs or graduate school
- Medium- between 3,000 and 10,000 students
- Large-Between 10,000 and 20,000 students
- It is easier to combine fields of study that include engineering
-There are more advanced facilities and resources available at large universities.
-Nationally known and popular sports teams usually come to large universities.
- Largest- over 20,000 students
Location
- Is distance from home important?
- Do I want to consider only schools located in a certain region, state, metropolitan area, or my hometown?
- Do I want to get home frequently, or do I see this as an opportunity to experience another part of the country?
- Is climate important to me?
Do I prefer an urban environment with easy access to museums, ethnic food, and major sports teams?
Would I prefer being in a rural setting with access to skiing, hiking, and camping?
Is weather a major situation?
Cost
- Does the school offer a good education at a reasonable price?
- How much is the total cost?
- What is the average rate of student indebtedness for the each school?
- Can my family help pay for college? How much?
- How is financial aid awarded?
- Will I qualify?
- Will I qualify for for grant, merit scholarship, work-study, low interest loans, etc...?
- Are there ways I can save money while in school?
- Will I need to find a part-time job?
- Can I realistically afford this school or is there a more reasonable financial choice for me?
What type of academic atmosphere would I want?
Will I want a campus that has strong supports? extra office hours? small classes?
Do I want a general program? (Undecided)
Do I want a specific academic program?
Social Atmosphere, Culture Composition, and Quality of Life
Will I be involved in the social atmosphere?
Will I join a specific group that I have been involved in during high school?
What do the Facilities look like?
Are there athletics that I can participate in? Division 1, 2, or 3? intramurals?
What activities do they offer on campus?
Can I bring a vehicle to campus?
What services do they occur?
Is there any issues with security?