How to Choose the Right College for You
Choosing a college can be one of the most important decisions you make in life.
You want a college that can meet all of your needs, from the academic programs it offers to the social activities available on its campus.
As you begin your search for the right college, you will find numerous institutions from which to choose: private colleges and public colleges; nonprofit institutions and for-profit institutions; two-year programs and four-year programs; traditional brick-and-mortar schools and online schools.
With so many educational options available, how do you know which one is right for you?
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help guide you in making this important decision.
Tap into your high school counselor's insight.
Never underestimate the advice you can acquire from your high school counselor, which should be your first stop on the path to choosing a college. Your high school counselor can offer information on many different educational options available to you following high school.
High school counselors are equipped to help students determine their educational needs and goals, as well as assist students in preparing materials for applying to college. They also can provide guidance in securing financial assistance to help pay for college.
Shop around to more than one college.
Many high school students set their sights on just one school - their dream college. However, this strategy can backfire.
Your best bet is to shop around at more than one college - after all, a higher education is a pretty significant investment and is worth examining a few possible schools. You should determine what your top five schools are and contact them in order to obtain details regarding their programs of study and other school-related features.
Take a trip to the college's campus.
A picture is worth a thousand words, and an actual visit to a school's campus is worth even more. If you can swing it, pay a visit to your top three schools to get a better idea of what the colleges offer.
You can gain a lot by visiting a school that cannot be obtained simply from an institution's web site or promotional materials. You can get a feel for the school's campus, ensuring that you are comfortable with the college's facilities, educational equipment, professors and other students.
Most colleges would be more than happy to arrange a campus tour for prospective students, and many colleges actually offer guided tours for which you can sign up.
Keep the questions coming.
Whatever you do, do not be afraid to ask a lot of questions. Paying for college is a hefty investment, and as such, you should make sure that all of your questions about a school are answered.
When grilling a potential school, there are three questions you should not skip:
- What is the college's retention rate, or the percentage of students who began their enrollment as first-year undergraduates and continued their studies through the following year?
- What is the college's graduation rate, or the percentage of full-time undergraduate students who complete their chosen program of study in at least 150 percent of the program's length?
- Does the college offer any job placement or career services for students and graduates?
If you plan to attend a vocational or trade school, make sure to find out how many of the school's graduates move on to secure jobs as the result of the training they received at the school.