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Choosing the College That's Right for You!
Some things to consider in choosing
a college that's Right for YOU!
Programs of Study
Many students are uncertain about their major, or what they want to do for the rest of their life. That's normal! In fact, at least one third of most incoming classes will switch majors within the first two years. In part, that is what college is all about - deciding what's right for YOU. However, most student have some sense of direction. For instance, you may be interested in the sciences, or in helping people, or in teaching or communications. If you have a sense of your general interests and academic strengths and weaknesses, consider schools that give you some options in this regard. And remember, in most bachelor degree programs, you are not required to "declare" or finalize your major until the end of your sophomore year.
Location
When considering schools, you'll need to determine whether you'd prefer to be in an urban setting, in a small town, or a more
rural area. All of these options have their advantages and disadvantages, depending upon your personal preferences. In addition, you'll want to consider the distance from your home in terms of travel arrangements, vacations, and proximity for any personal or family matters.
Campus Visits
Before making a final decision, you should take the time to visit the schools you are considering. Regardless of how helpful most college
view books are, until you have a chance to see the campus and visit with faculty, staff and students, you won't get a complete sense of the school, and how it may meet your personal needs. Most colleges offer Open House programs (see inside back cover for schedules), weekend visitations, and tours. When arranging you visit, schedule a time to meet with both the admissions staff and the financial aid staff, as well as students, faculty, and coaches.
Costs
This factor will probably play a major role in your final decision. However, don't automatically rule out a "private" or "expensive" school based on their listed tuition and fees. If you find a school that fits all of your needs, go through the financial aid process to determine what it will actually cost you and your family to attend this institution. There are many options available to you and you may be surprised that in some cases, your financial aid package at a higher priced school may bring your actual "out of pocket" costs in line with that of a less expensive institution.
Size
How large or small of a school do you want to attend? In considering size, keep in mind that the size of your high school as compared to the colleges your considering. For instance, a "small" school of 2,000 may still seem quite large to a person who graduated in a high school class of 100 or less. Some students function better in small institutions, or in smaller classrooms, while others prefer the anonymity and spectrum of choices generally offered by larger institutions. Visiting the college will help you in making this decision.
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