Choosing a college is perhaps one of the hardest decisions a high school junior or senior has to face. Many factors come into play including distance, size, rank, programs offered, and even if your best friend likes it. Making the decision shouldn’t happen overnight or even in a few weeks. The best thing you can do is research and learn as much as possible about the college.
If you’re from a small town, you may not have many options. This can limit your opportunity to experience the wide variety of majors that may be available elsewhere. You may be forced to choose a nearby college with less options or a college five hours away from your home, family, and friends.
By visiting web-sites such as College-Connecting.com, you can type in your zip code and see all of the possibilities around you. You can view what programs each college has to offer, including undergraduate and graduate work. You can also view online class options, which may work well for students that are responsible enough to set aside the time. It can help to narrow down some of your top choices.
Set up a time to tour and actually visit the campus. The worst thing you can do is apply online, enroll, and start the fall semester not even sure of where the campus is. Be sure to meet with the head of whatever department or field you plan to study. They can offer invaluable insight into what their program has to offer. You can even ask to sit in on an actual college class. It may help you decide if the classroom size is too large or small for your preferences. By looking at the class syllabi, you can get an idea of what will be expected from you should you take similar courses.
Just walk around the campus. Don’t be afraid to speak to current students on the campus. Most students are willing to take a few moments to speak of their own experience at the college. If you are hearing a general response that the academic programs and professors aren’t very good, then you will know to keep looking. Look at the bulletin boards near each academic department. If they are bare, you will know that the program doesn’t participate in many extracurricular activities. If they are packed full of fun pictures and fliers for upcoming events, you will know about programs to look forward to.
Take notes and bring home as much information as you can. When it comes time to deciding between colleges, you can compare what each has to offer. However, don’t choose a school just because it has a particular sorority or even a sport you would like to join. Make sure you are looking at the academic programs first. It is great to become active and join organizations, but the first and most important thing is the academic program. Some students choose a college because of baseball or football, but end up hating their academic options.
After you have gathered a lot of information, it becomes time to sit and debate the pros and cons of each college. Although most high school students don’t want to admit it, they should value their parents’ opinion. They may just have some insight that the student hasn’t thought of. However, you shouldn’t make your decision based solely on your parents. In the end, they won’t be the ones continuing their education there.
Because you will be there for four years (or maybe longer), the decision can’t be taken lightly. It should be given great thought and consideration. Exploring many different options can allow you to see what all is available and what fits your future the best.
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Thank you for your post. You certainly have a talent for taking a difficult subject and making it easy to understand. I agree with what you said about doing your homework before deciding on a college. It is important to think about one’s needs and interests first, and then search for the academic program that is the best fit.