CHOOSING A COLLEGE

What college should you go to? It depends on a number of things: the kind of profession you see yourself practicing, your budget, your academic background, and whether or not you’re willing to relocate.

There are hundreds of colleges and universities all over the country, and thousands all over the world. This means that whatever your preferences or your background, there’s bound to be a school that’s perfect for you.

It is very important that you find a “good fit”. A college’s reputation is very important, but so are your needs and your personality. Remember, you will be spending the next four years of your life in this school. Make sure that it can provide the learning environment which will best develop your potential and lay the groundwork for your career.

With such a wide selection of academic institutions, how do you narrow down your options? Here are some factors to consider

COURSE OFFERINGS

What courses does it offer? You may want to be a business major, but nearly all schools offer a business track. Look at the subjects and the curriculum. Do any of the subjects interest you?

You should also look at whether or not the school provides enough opportunities for students to have hands on experience. This can include practicum programs, workshops and internships, and field trips. Does it have a variety of extracurricular activities?

If you are considering pursuing additional degrees, does it have a master’s degree and doctorate program?

FACULTY

Who is on their faculty? Look for a mix of academics and professionals with real life experience. It won’t do to have teachers that know everything that’s in the books but haven’t actually tested it in the real world.

You should also see whether or not the faculty are respected in their fields. Try doing a Google search on the names in the faculty roster.

REPUTATION

How is it respected in the country and in your profession? Look at college rankings, and ask around. Some colleges may be small but are held in very high regard in a particular field because of the quality of their graduates. Others may be very well known but only have a few strong courses that they specialize in. They may be known for their psychology programs, for example, but have weak fine arts programs.

COSTS

How much will it cost? Don’t just look at tuition; consider living expenses and transportation fees, and the cost of living in that area. Also check if the school offers financial aid, and if there are ways of working for the school to get discounts on tuition.