Choosing your College - Factors you Should Consider When Making your Choice

| Posted: 02-01-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 369 | Rating: (66)

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There are thousands of colleges to choose from, so how do you choose which one is right for you? The truth of the matter is that colleges and universities have a lot more in common than they have differences. When it comes down to making a decision on where you will spend the 4 or so years of your life studying, it really comes down to where you will feel the most comfortable. Colleges and universities do not specialize in particular subjects, so as long as a college offers the major you are interested in, then it can be considered as an option.

So if all of the colleges are pretty much the same then what factors should you take into consideration?

You should choose your college or university based on the things that are important to you. Some things that you may want to consider or take the time to think about are:

• What size college/university and classes do you feel most comfortable with?

Some people feel more comfortable in a more close-knit community and learn better in a smaller class environment. If you feel this way then you may want consider smaller private colleges. Others feel more comfortable in a big city and don't mind large classes and/or a large campus with a large number of students. If you are one of these people, then you may feel more comfortable at a larger college or university, maybe one that is located in a big city.

• In what geographic location would you like to attend school?

There are colleges and universities all over the country. Since you have to live and interact in the environment and location that the college is located, you may want to consider geographic location and the weather. Maybe you would like to choose a college that is relatively close to where your family lives. Adversely, you may wish to choose a college or university that is not located near your family. Weather conditions are another thing that you should take into consideration. If you hate the snow and cold weather, you may not be happy at a school that is located in the northeast or the Midwest where snow and cold weather are common occurrences. Keep in mind that you will be living at undergraduate school for a 4 year period, maybe longer if you go on to grad school, etc. Pick somewhere where you feel like you fit and can live for the next few years of your life.

• What type of institution would you like to attend?

Do you prefer a private, public or state school? Are you interested in going to a religious school? Does the college offer the academic program in which you are interested?

Many colleges and universities offer the same or similar programs, but if you know what you would like to major in, then make sure that the schools you are considering offer your area of study. Also, if a particular school is one of the top schools in your major of study, you may want to take this into consideration. For example, if you want to study international business and one of your college choices is rated as having the most graduates in the US from the college of business, you may want to take this into consideration also.

• What does campus life have to offer you (extracurricular, social events, etc.)?

While you are primarily at college to study and earn your degree, there are a lot of student activities available at most colleges and universities. You may want to consider what types of activities are available to students and if any of the activities are things you are interested in participating. Maybe you are a water polo enthusiast and one of your college options offers this as a student sport. Depending on how important this fact is to you, this may move this particular college ahead of some of the others on your list.

• Is the college offering enough financial aid to make it affordable?

You may have 3 colleges on your list of options. One college is offering you a full scholarship, while the other two are not offering nearly as much. Is the college giving you a full ride your first choice? Or would you really prefer to go to one of the other two colleges for a different reason? Money is a factor of almost all major decisions, but it is not usually the only factor. Cost should be taken into consideration, just like your other reasons for wanting to attend that particular school.

• Do you feel comfortable and safe on campus?

When you make the campus visits to each of your school choices, how do you feel? Do you feel like you belong there? Do you feel like you fit in? Do you feel like you could spend the next few years of your life living in this community, going to class everyday, working, shopping, playing, etc., there?

When you are considering your college options, weigh the pros and cons of each choice. List each of your college choices and literally write down the positives and the negatives for each school. See which school has more pros than cons, and which school has more pros than the other options. Another thing that you should take into consideration is your priorities. Take a look at the schools that fit the criteria that are most important to you. Even if this school doesn't have the most pros but it is the only institution that fits your #1 priority, then this is something that you are going to have to take into consideration. The bottom line is that when you come across the school that is best for you, you will know it.

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