Choosing the Right College
The trick to college selection is finding the best college for you. It is
helpful to compare the college selection process to a funnel. When you first
start the process you are at the large end of the funnel. You are not quite
sure what career you want to pursue, or what college you want to attend. You
are not unusual; most first-year students are undecided. So relax and let's
look at some ways to help you get to the narrow end of the funnel. Ideally, you
should start the process in the winter of your junior year of high school.
Starting early gives you more time to explore your option and helps to minimize
the stress.
When deciding what colleges to apply to, you should consider listing qualities
that are important to you. The following are examples of factors for you
to consider when developing your college visit.
Choosing a career or major can be difficult. If you think that you want to be an
engineer, a writer, or a fashion designer, the search process may be a little
easier because you can search for schools that offer your major. If you are
undecided about your future, you need to look for schools that offer you the
most flexibility. Liberal Arts Colleges, for example, allow you to experience
classes from different areas of study. Exploring these options will help you
discover an area of interest. Begin to do some research on careers. For
instance, if you like to write, try to find out what type of careers require
good writers. Refer to the career and job section of our website links to get
additional information.
Some students thrive in large, fast paced environments, while others prefer
small classes and more personalized attention. The student-teacher ratio
is a good indicator of class size. The total number of students can give
you an idea of the size of the college. Use the following guideline to
help with your decision:
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Small - Less than 2,000 students
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Medium - More than 2,000 but less than 10,000 students
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Large - More than 10,000
Location
Some students feel more confortable staying close to home while others want to
experience college in a new and distant place. Think whether you will be
confortable in an urban, suburban or rural location. Consider whether you
would be better served, based on your major, in a city. For example, an
architecture major might want to attend a college that can provide the
opportunity to experience various types of architecture. In this case, a
city school might be your better choice. The same might apply to a music
performance major. A city or suburban area will provide opportunity to
experience symphonies and other music events.
Major Athletics
The opportunity for most students to participate in division I or division II
intercollegiate athletics is relatively slim. You need to do an honest
self-assessment of your athletic skills. A good rule of thumb is, if a
college coach hasn't contacted you, more than likely you do not have the skills
they are looking for. If you feel strongly about your talent, contact the
coach directly and inquire about tryouts.
Most colleges offer various intramural programs. Check with the college
admission of athletic office to get an idea of what is offered.
Cost
Generally, you should not eliminate colleges based on cost alone. Sometimes,
the amount of financial aid that is offered will make even the most expensive
college affordable. Although financial aid may help defray the cost of college,
you should apply to at least one school that is reasonably affordable.