Consider What You Want in a College

To determine what is important to look for in a college, you must first think about the factors that will influence your college experience. Some of these are important for all college-bound students, but others may be unique to you and your circumstances. Don’t rush through the college selection process; take the time necessary to carefully assess your needs and expectations. Think clearly and honestly; give full thought to each item. Consider your strengths, weaknesses, and limitations, these will help you choose colleges that are within your reach.

Location

Remember that you are selecting more than a college, you are selecting a place to live for the next few years. Do you want the closeness of a small college town or the extra activities to be found in a large city? (Remember that if you are going to have to work your way through school, the opportunities are much greater in a larger metropolitan area.) Do you want to stay close to home or do you want to travel several times a year? Do you have any geographic preferences - the ocean, mountains, etc.?

Student Body

Are you looking for a single-sex school or do you want a coed environment? Do you want to be with students from your same geographic area or with students from all over the country, or all over the world?

Size of the School

Are small classes important to you? Do you hope to develop a relationship with your professors? Do you want to be surrounded by hundreds of classmates or would you like to know most of your fellow students? Are the facilities associated with a large university necessary to your course of studies?

Academic Requirements

Does your academic record closely match the requirements of the school? Will you be able to graduate on-time with your classmates? Are you going to be academically challenged by the curriculum or overwhelmed by it? Are graduate programs available in your field if you should decide on further study? Who teaches most of the freshman and sophomore courses—graduate students or professors? What percentage of the college faculty has advanced degrees?

Is There a Doctor in the House?

At one college fair, an eager applicant informed the college's representative, "I want to be a diabetic. Can I study diabetics at your college?"

Campus Life

Do you want to live on or off campus, or does the college allow you a choice? Do you want an environment in which something is constantly happening, or would you be happier in a more leisurely setting? Are you interested in fraternity or sorority life? Do you want an extensive athletic program? Are you a “joiner” who is looking for a school with a wide assortment of extracurricular activities?

Cost

Can your family pay the higher tuition of a private college? Can you get financial aid? If you can’t qualify for scholarship assistance, would you be willing to work part-time or take loans to pay for your education? Are you interested in a co-op program which combines periods of employment with periods of study?

All of these factors (and more) are important in the final selection of a college or university. Be organized; as you research and visit colleges, study what is available. Also, be an alert consumer; make accurate notes on shortcomings or perceived weaknesses of a particular school and ask for more information.

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