Choosing a college for continuing education past high school is no easy task. From statistics, to culture, to location, the decision carries a lot of weight – it will be where you spend the next four years. For some, this means going as far away from home as possible and being entirely independent. For others, a hometown university close to family and full of home state culture is the one. And for others, an ivy league or a private university is the perfect fit.
So, how does one make this decision? How do you know whether the decision is the right one? What kinds of things should you consider when coming to the decision? I’ve compiled a list of things I think will help students make this significant decision.
1. The Campus
It is entirely different to simply read about a college, than it is to visit and experience it on your own. Each individual has a different opinion of a place, and it is important to form an opinion on your own before committing to the place for the next few years. What kind of housing is available? How big is the campus – how much travel will you have to do? What kinds of innovations are accessible to the students? How accessible are the faculty?
2. The city, outside the campus
To be completely honest, there is going to be a large chunk of time that students spend off campus. Whether it’s for entertainment, or exploring, or even working, it’s important to choose a city that will be a good fit for what you’re looking for during college outside of class time. Would you like the city to have a train or bus system? Would you like a small-town feel or a bustling city feel? How close or far would you like to be from home? It’s very important to understand the types of programs the university offers. Don’t simply look at your chosen major, as this may change over the next year or so in college. If necessary, look at the statistics for admission into graduate school for your chosen field. Understand the kinds of recruitment opportunities the school offers for obtaining a job after graduation. What is the grading system? What kinds of professors are employed at the
4. Everything other than academics
While in college, it is necessary to take part in extracurricular activities and leadership opportunities that will help develop your resume. What kinds of opportunities does the college offer to get involved in leadership and volunteering? Is there a sense of community between the students? What do the students do for fun?
5. The numbers
After you’ve decided that you like the campus feel, the city culture, the academic and nonacademic opportunities offered, consider the rankings and other numbers. It’s okay to apply to dream schools that are outside the range of GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but it is also essential to consider the numbers and shoot for universities that are in your reach. Simply because a university is ranked one of the top 10 colleges in the world, does not mean that it will be the right fit for you based on your personality. So, as you’re finishing up high school and deciding where to go to college, be sure to spend time developing this decision. Consider a variety of factors, and be sure to visit the campus if possible. Make the decision carefully, and with confidence. If you need some additional help with the decision, check out Victory Step’s weekly College Highlight and be sure to contact someone from our team for advice!
Victory Step Education Team
