Choosing the perfect college for you takes a lot of consideration. It may be necessary to weigh a range of factors to determine which school may be one that interests you, excites you about your potential future, and one that creates an opportunity for you to create new friendships. Consider things like what the next few years in school may be like. Think about your long-term goals, too. When asking, “What college should I go to?” there’s quite a bit to think about before making that decision.
Here are some questions and thoughts to keep in mind as you try to make that decision.
What Should Your College Major Be?
As you think about your college major, consider your goals for the future. What type of career do you hope to have? You may be able to get some idea about this from classes you took in high school that really interested you or experiences you had otherwise. What types of careers relate to those areas? You may also wish to get some insight into those careers by shadowing someone in the field to get a clear perspective of what your work may be like.
This may help you determine which degree program works. If you hope to pursue a career in a specific field, what major do you need to finish? Get some insight into this by looking at job posts or asking those in the field what type of major they had. Choose a college, then, that offers that degree program or a path in the area you are interested in pursuing.
What College Should You Attend if You Are Undecided?
One of the challenges some students have is selecting a college or university without knowing for sure what they want to study. It may be important for you to set aside long-term career goals and look for a school that offers more of a rounded educational plan. Consider researching a few schools to learn about the courses they offer that may be different from others. You may find an interesting program that interests you that way.
What Is Campus Life Like at the School?
As you begin to make a list of colleges you wish to consider, it may be time to learn a bit more about what campus life may be like at each one. You may be taking classes, but you may also be living on or near the campus during your time there. Take a tour of the campus and learn as much as possible about how students spend their time, what the cafeteria is like, and what student life is like overall. Some factors to keep in mind include:
- How engaged are the students in their education and in student life?
- How large is the student body? Does it feel too big to be comfortable? Do you want to be at a larger campus?
- What are the residence halls like? You may want to consider what the average dorm looks like, how much room each student has, and what are shared versus private amenities.
- How involved are the professors at the college? Do they offer hours during their day to allow students to ask for additional help?
- What is there to do when you do not have classes? For example, are there activities, planned trips, onsite fitness centers, or other amenities that you may wish to enjoy?
Campus life is one component of your decision on which college to attend. Yet, it is a big deal for many people as it may influence the way they live and how comfortable they feel while at school.
What Requirements Does a College Set for Admission?
As you work to create a list of colleges to consider, research the admissions requirements the school sets. Each school chooses specific requirements based on its goals. This may include factors such as GPA and test scores. Inquire about any requirements for admission at the start of your search.
Often, students may wish to classify each college or university by their admission requirements based on their own personal abilities. For example, if a school sets a GPA requirement of 3.5 for applicants, students may wish to determine if that is a “match” school or a “reach” school based on how easy it is for the student to meet that requirement. You may be able to choose a few schools that are your safety or foundation schools, which are those you expect to have no trouble getting into, but also include a few reach schools or schools that may be a bit more challenging if they check all of the other boxes for you.
Does the College Fit Your Budget?
Often, students do not think about their finances when it comes to choosing a college. Yet, it may be an important part of the process. Scholarships and grants may be available to some to help cover some of the costs. Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. Other times, students may need to use loans to pay for any costs above what they plan to pay for outright.
Speak to the school about financial aid, scholarships and grants opportunities. It’s worth meeting up with the school’s financial aid team to have a great understanding of what you may expect if you decide to enroll there. The key to remember is that you do not have to be embarrassed to ask about costs. It is an investment you are making in yourself. You may want to be sure it is the one perfectly suited for your future.
Need Some Help Choosing a College or University?
You don’t have to make this decision on your own. You may be able to request help from school counselors and others. Also, use the Unigo college match quiz. It is a tool that lets you see what school may be a great option for you based on the input you provide. Take your time when selecting a school to be sure you find the fit you desire. When you put in the extra time to compare schools, you may feel better about your opportunities.