II. Finding the College that is Right for You
There are many aspects involved in choosing a school that is suited for you. Most colleges and universities have websites designed to introduce prospective students to the kind of things they are to expect when attending their colleges. This can be an easy way to get an overall feel for a college that you are considering.
For the most part, the student and parent should work together to find a school that is right. An easy way to start is to make a list of factors to consider when choosing your college and then rate them in order of importance.
Some examples are:
- Cost – how much can you reasonably afford?
- Two-year or Four-year – what type of degree are you looking for
- Location – are you going to be happy in a big city or is a small college town right for you?
- Public vs. Private
- Size of the school – Class size works hand in hand with this…if you want small classes look for a low teacher to student ratio, or vice versa.
- Academics – does the college provide the program of study you are looking for. What is their academic reputation?
- Athletics – do they have what you want available
- Safety – college atmospheres can be a dangerous place. Find out what precautions the school has taken to help ensure your safety.
- Living arrangement – Apartment vs. Student Dorm Housing?
Resolving some of these major issues first will help aid you in the college selection process.
If possible make sure to visit the schools you are considering before applying. Most students do not graduate from the school that they originally apply to. You can save yourself time and money by doing even a small amount of research to ensure that the college you choose is going to be right for you.
Some things to think about when visiting a school:
- The atmosphere of the campus/dorms
- Talk to the people around you. Do they seem friendly and eager to help?
- Check out the area, know where you will be getting your necessities such as food.
- If possible visit a few classes. Think about class size and student and professor conduct.
- Find out about campus safety.
- Inquire about the extracurricular programs you may be interested in.
WEB’S BEST COLLEGE SEARCHES!
CollegeNet – Online Interactive College Search
Extra Research:
The College Bound Network – Search, find and get college info
Can't Find what your looking for ? Try Google search