It’s that time of year again – the time when high school seniors all over the country are applying to colleges and universities. If you’re one of them, then you know just how daunting the process can be. There are so many factors to consider: what are your goals for your education and future career? Which colleges offer programs that align with your goals? How much can you afford to pay for college without taking out loans or relying on scholarships/grants? What is the campus culture like at each of the colleges I’m considering attending? How good are the professors at each of the colleges I’m considering attending – do they have experience in their field and teaching students at my level/GPA? Is there a campus health center available if I need it, as well as mental health services?
Don’t worry – we’re here to help. In this ultimate guide to choosing a college, we’ll walk you through all of the factors you need to consider in order to find the perfect school for you.
1. What are my career goals and what type of college degree will help me reach them?
The first step in choosing a college is to figure out what you want to do with your life after graduation. What are your career goals? Do you want to be a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer, a teacher, or something else entirely? Once you have an idea of your desired profession, research which type of college degree will help you achieve your goals. For example, if you want to be a doctor, you will need to attend a four-year university and complete a pre-med program. If you want to be a lawyer, you will need to attend law school after completing your undergraduate degree. Knowing what type of degree you need to achieve your goals will help you narrow down your college choices.
If you’re not sure what you want to do with your life yet, that’s OK! There are many colleges that offer programs for students who are undecided on their major. These types of programs typically allow students to explore a variety of subjects before declaring a major.
Once you have an idea of your desired profession, research which type of college degree will help you achieve your goals. For example, if you want to be a doctor, you will need to attend a four-year university and complete a pre-med program. If you want to be a lawyer, you will need to attend law school after completing your undergraduate degree. Knowing what type of degree you need to achieve your goals will help you narrow down your college choices.
College Students’ Safe Internships
The COVID pandemic has changed the way we live and work. Many college students have had their internships canceled or put on hold due to the pandemic. If you’re a college student who was planning on completing an internship this summer, you may be wondering if it’s still safe to do so. The answer is, that it depends.
If you’re interning in a healthcare setting, there is a higher risk of exposure to the virus. If you’re comfortable with that risk, then you may still be able to complete your internship. However, many healthcare organizations are now offering virtual internships for students who don’t want to or can’t take the risk of working in person.
Undergraduate Admissions
The undergraduate admissions process can be both exciting and stressful. If you’re a high school student who is considering going to college, you may be wondering what the admissions process entails. Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect:
2. Which schools offer the programs I’m interested in studying?
Now that you know what type of degree you need to achieve your goals, it’s time to research which colleges offer the programs you’re interested in studying. Start by making a list of all the colleges that offer the type of program you’re looking for. Once you have your list, narrow it down based on other factors that are important to you, such as location, cost, campus size, and campus culture.
If you’re not sure where to start your search, look for college fairs in your area. College fairs are a great way to learn about different colleges and universities without having to visit each one individually. You can also talk to your guidance counselor or teachers for recommendations.
Once you have your list of potential colleges, it’s time to start doing your research. Start by visiting each college’s website and reading about their programs. Then, take the time to visit each campus in person (if possible) or schedule a virtual tour. This will help you get a feel for what the campus is like and if it’s a good fit for you.
Finally, don’t forget to research the professors at each of the colleges you’re considering attending. It’s important to make sure they have experience in their field and teach students at your level/grade point average (GPA). You can typically find this information on each college’s website or by talking to students who currently attend the school.
By taking the time to do your research, you’ll be able to find the perfect college for you! And remember, if you have any questions along the way, don’t hesitate to ask your guidance counselor or teachers for help. They’re there to support you and want to see you succeed.
3. How much will tuition and other associated costs cost at each school I’m considering attending?
Now that you’ve narrowed down your list of potential colleges, it’s time to start thinking about how much each one will cost. The first step is to research the tuition and fees associated with each school. You can typically find this information on each college’s website or by talking to their admissions office.
In addition to tuition and fees, you’ll also need to consider the cost of room and board, books and supplies, and other associated costs, such as transportation. Once you have an estimate of all the associated costs, you can start comparing them to see which school is the most affordable for you.
On-campus jobs
Many colleges offer on-campus jobs to students in order to help them offset the cost of tuition. These jobs can be a great way to earn some extra money while also getting experience in your field of interest.
If you’re struggling to afford the schools on your list, don’t despair! There are many ways to finance your education, such as scholarships, grants, and student loans. You can also look into work-study programs or part-time jobs. And remember, your parents or other family members may be willing to help you out financially as well.
By doing your research and budgeting carefully, you’ll be able to find a way to finance your education and attend the college of your dreams!
Financial aid
If you’re still struggling to afford the cost of college, don’t forget to look into financial aid. Financial aid can come in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. You can typically find information about financial aid on each college’s website or by talking to their admissions office.
There are also many private organizations that offer scholarships to students. You can search for these scholarships online or ask your guidance counselor for help.
Private student loans
If you’re unable to find enough financial aid or scholarships to cover the cost of college, you may need to look into private student loans. Private student loans are typically offered by banks or other lending institutions. They usually have higher interest rates than federal loans, so be sure to shop around and compare rates before you decide on a loan.
4. What is the campus culture like – do students seem happy and engaged, or is it a more competitive environment that’s not right for me?
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a college is the campus culture. Every school has its own unique culture, and it’s important to make sure it’s a good fit for you. After all, you’ll be spending four years (or more!) of your life on campus, so you want to make sure you’re comfortable with the culture and the people.
There are a few different ways to get a feel for the campus culture at each school you’re considering. The first is to visit each campus in person (if possible) or schedule a virtual tour. This will help you get a feel for what the campus is like and if it’s a good fit for you.
College life can be a lot of fun, but it’s also a lot of work. You’ll want to make sure you’re choosing a school that has the right campus culture for you and that you feel comfortable with.
Sports Activities Program
If you’re a fan of sports, another factor to consider is the sports activities program at each school. Some schools have very competitive programs that are a big part of campus life, while others have more low-key programs. There are also many schools that don’t have any sports programs at all.
Think about what kind of environment you want to be in and whether you want to be a part of a competitive sports program. If you’re not interested in sports, that’s okay – there are many other ways to get involved on campus and make friends.
Tight Knit Faculties
One of the benefits of a smaller school is that you’re more likely to form close relationships with your professors. This can be helpful if you need extra help or guidance with your coursework. It’s also a good way to get to know your field of interest better and develop connections for future opportunities.
Another way to learn about the campus culture is to talk to students who currently attend the school. They can tell you what it’s really like to live and study on campus. You can also read online reviews of each college to see what other people have said about their experience. School offers information sessions and campus tours year-round, both virtually and in person.
Student Clubs and Organizations
Joining a club or organization is a great way to get involved on campus and meet new people. Plus, many clubs and organizations offer scholarships to their members!
Sports Teams
As mentioned earlier, many schools have sports programs that are a big part of campus life. If you’re interested in playing sports in college, be sure to check out the teams at each school you’re considering attending. You can usually find information about sports teams on each college’s website or by talking to their admissions office.
5. Is the campus located in a city or town that I would enjoy living in for four years (or more)?
Another important factor to consider when choosing a college is the location. After all, you’ll be spending four years (or more!) of your life in the city or town that the school is located in, so you want to make sure it’s somewhere you would actually enjoy living.
There are a few different things to consider when thinking about the location of a college. The first is the size of the city or town. Do you want to be in a big city with lots of things to do, or would you prefer a smaller town that’s more relaxed?
Another thing to think about is the climate. Do you want to be somewhere warm all year round, or do you prefer cooler weather? And finally, you’ll want to consider the cost of living in the city or town. Is it an affordable place to live, or would you need to take out loans or get a part-time job just to cover your basic expenses?
Housing Options
Once you’ve decided on a college, you’ll need to start thinking about your housing options. If you’re planning on living on campus, be sure to apply for housing as soon as possible. Many colleges have limited housing availability, so it’s important to apply early.
Residence Halls
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a college is where you’ll be living. Most colleges have residence halls (dormitories) for their students. These can be a great way to meet people and make friends, but they’re not for everyone. If you prefer your own space or want more privacy, you may want to look into off-campus housing options.
Student-Faculty Ratio
Class sizes are important to consider when you’re looking at colleges. After all, you want to make sure you’re getting the individual attention you need from your professors. A good way to gauge this is by looking at the student-faculty ratio for each school.
The student-faculty ratio is the number of students who are enrolled in a school divided by the number of faculty members. For example, if a school has a student-faculty ratio of 20:
It means that there are 20 students for every faculty member. This is generally considered to be a good ratio, as it means that each student will get more individual attention from their professors.
6. How easily accessible is the campus – is it close to public transportation, major highways, etc.?
Another important factor to consider when choosing a college is the accessibility of the campus. This is especially important if you don’t have a car, as you’ll need to be able to get around easily.
The best way to gauge the accessibility of campus is by looking at its location. Is it in a city where you can easily get around by public transportation or is it in a more rural area that’s only accessible by car? If it’s the latter, is it close to major highways so you can easily get around?
Suburban or rural setting
The college’s setting is also important to consider. Do you want to be in a suburban or rural area, or would you prefer a more urban environment? There are pros and cons to both, so it’s important to decide what’s more important to you.
Safety
Another factor that’s important to consider when choosing a college is safety. This is especially important if you’ll be living on campus.
There are a few different ways to gauge the safety of a college campus. The first is by looking at the crime statistics for the area. You can usually find this information on the school’s website or through a quick Google search.
Another way to gauge safety is by talking to current students and recent graduates. They’ll be able to tell you firsthand what the campus is like and whether they felt safe while they were there.
Finally, you can also look at the school’s safety policies. For example, do they have a 24-hour security guard on campus? Do they have security cameras in all of the buildings? Do they have a strict policy against alcohol and drugs?
Freshman Year
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a college is your freshman year. This is typically when students live in on-campus dormitories, so you’ll want to make sure you’re comfortable with your living arrangements. You’ll also be taking a lot of classes and getting adjusted to college life, so it’s important to choose a school that has a good support system in place for incoming students.
Future College Students
Most college students choose their school based on a variety of factors, including location, campus culture, student-faculty ratio, and the cost of tuition. But there’s one factor that’s often overlooked: accessibility.
If you don’t have a car or can’t afford to live close to campus, it’s important to choose a school that’s easily accessible by public transportation or close to major highways. Otherwise, you’ll likely spend a lot of time and money trying to get to and from campus.
Students Graduate
The college experience is different for everyone. Some people love the social aspects of college and others prefer a more solitary experience.
National College Decision Day
Once you’ve done your research and visited each of the campuses you’re considering, it’s time to make your decision! The national college decision day is May
If you’re still struggling to make a decision, don’t hesitate to reach out to your family and friends for help. They may be able to offer some insight or advice that you didn’t consider before.
Bottom line:
The most important thing to remember when choosing a college is that there’s no one perfect school for everyone. The best way to find the right college for you is to do your research and visit each campus to get a feel for the culture and the people. Once you’ve narrowed down your list, you can start applying to colleges!
