Master the college choice: how to choose and how not to
So the hard part’s over. You’ve taken the tests, toured the campuses, gone on the interviews, and slaved over applications. And you got good news! Not only did you make it into one school, you made into two! Or three! Or four!
Yes, that’s right. Just when you thought your worries were finished, now you have to pick a school. It’s a task that’s more daunting than it seems. It can be intimidating and overwhelming to choose between institutions that all seem qualified – the college experience is one that defines your life, so there’s some pressure in deciding just where you’re going to have it. However, the following guidelines will help you avoid common mistakes and keep you focused on what’s important, so you can be confident that you made the right choice.
Location, location, location. It’s important to know in which environments you thrive. Do you need the hustle of a big city to stimulate you, or do you focus well someplace serene and removed? Staying close to home can have benefits both financial and academic – many students will attest to saving money by living at home and making impressive grades without being distracted by the excitement of a freshman dorm. However, equal numbers will claim that exercising their independence by moving away from home was very beneficial to their overall maturity. All of these factors can have an overwhelming affect on your experience as a student, and must be considered.
However… Do not choose your college because it is close to a beach, has great weather, offers skiing as a minor, or, despite not having anything academic to offer you, is in a city you’ve always loved. None of the above will benefit you in the long run.
Affordable? If you have limited funds to use for college, and you haven’t received any scholarships, you should definitely make a financial plan. If you think you can shoulder the burden of student loan debt after you graduate, then don’t let the tuition stop you from going for your first choice. However, you should still apply for scholarships still open to you, seeking out every financial aid opportunity available, and playing things smart (buying used books, taking more than the required credit hours, or living at home, if possible). Also, if you think that debt after graduation will do nothing but set you back, and there is a comparable program at another less expensive school, then you should consider attending that one instead. The bottom line, if affordability is one of your priorities when choosing a school, the smartest decision will be finding out which institution will give you the most bang four your buck, and going there.
Because… If you go to a school just because it’s cheapest, but you haven’t considered its other shortcomings, you’ve wasted your money.
Academics…: When it comes to academics, it’s important to remember that, first and foremost, you’re at a school to learn. It’s helpful to have at least a vague idea of what you’d like to study, so you can choose an institution that has programs related to it. While no one likes to place more pressure on college students than there already is, it’s not a good idea to go in undeclared. College is just too expensive to waste any time trying to “find yourself” by trying on all sorts of different majors.
But… It is very common to place academics in a position of such importance that some students forget that other elements affect the college experience. If a school has an academic program you like, but nothing else to offer you, it’s not going to be a good match.
Size does matter. It’s important to know how many people you’d like to be surrounded by – will you learn better when you have small classes and personal attention from your professors, or do you work more efficiently when you’re independent and can blend into the background of large lectures? Larger universities often mean more variety in everything from courses to activities to people to living arrangements. However, they also mean you can get lost in the shuffle at a time when you might need a tightly-knit community of support the most.
Conversely, smaller universities can offer more personal attention, but only the more elite universities will have the same variety in classes, activities and people as the above-mentioned larger schools. And many students find that smaller universities become a breeding ground for the high school-esque conflicts and immaturity most of them are dying to escape. Think about the people you’ll be going to school with, because, unless you live at home and commute, these people will make up your friends for the next few years, and it’s a good idea to make sure that they’re people you might want to spend time with.
Just remember… it is not a good idea to go to a school just because a bunch of your friends are going there, or because the love of your life will be a starting freshman basketball player.
What’s there to do? Are you into sports? Do you want to continue your high school drama hobby? Are social justice and political awareness two things very important to you right now? What activities your campus has to offer you will become an important part of your life outside academics. If your school has opportunities that match your interests, you’ll be able to build a social network around those with similar interests. Fun’s an important part of your experience, so don’t count it out.
Nevertheless, don’t go to a school because you’ve heard they have a wicked Ultimate Frisbee scene.
These aren’t all the factors you’ll need to consider when choosing your higher education institution, but they cover some of the most important basics. Make sure you’ve visited every school, prioritized what’s most important to you in the college experience, spoken to current students where possible and even talked with your parents about their insights. The right place will reveal itself before long if you’re willing to put in the work of a little research.
