Factors to Consider When Looking for a College or University
Peggy C. Brandetsas
Be flexible and open-minded when starting to think about college. With all the different colleges/universities out there, you'll be able to find many that are great places for you to succeed, both in and outside the classroom.
Grades and SAT (and/or) ACT scores are important factors for admission. They determine where you fall within the middle 50 percent who are accepted to the school. Grades alone can't determine where you should apply though -- you need to go beyond just your scores to determine your interest in a college or university. Read about colleges and universities through their websites, or through college guidebooks. Make a list of colleges and universities that interest you. Knowing what's important to you is essential in deciding your best options.
Here are some factors to consider when selecting a college/university:
Size
Does being one of thousands on a campus thrill you because of the potential for making many friends from all over? Or would you rather be walking on a campus with a thousand (or less) students and know most everyone you pass?
A large university may offer classes in large 200+ seat lecture halls whereas a smaller institution may brag that their largest class size is 50 students. Do you want your professor to know if you miss class or would you just as soon be in the back of a class of 350?
Academics
Do you want a college/university that offers marine biology, physical therapy, an introduction to jazz, engineering, or sports marketing? Colleges and universities offer students a wide range of classes, majors, and career opportunities. Explore the various classes and majors offered on the campus website.
If you do not have a clue on what you wish to major in, a liberal arts education might be for you. At a liberal arts college/university, a student will take a broad range of subjects in the humanities, sciences, and technology with an in-depth concentration, or major, in at least one subject area.
If you always have taken things apart and put them back together to see how they work, been drawing for an addition to your bedroom, or designed a prototype car, then a technical college/university may be the place for you. The emphasis will be in the sciences, math, and technology but students will also take some humanities classes (ie: English, history, etc.).
Location
Are you looking for the big city lights with art museums, diverse entertainment, boutique shops, and large parks with ice skating rinks in the winter? Desire a rural location with the outdoors "at your doorstep"? Would you like to mountain bike or to kayak down the local river?
Do you want a college or university close to home so you may take armloads of laundry for mom to wash and to eat your favorite home cooked meal? Or is your desire to be far away from home and to adventure beyond what you have known?
Some colleges or universities may require a plane ride for you to get to the campus. This could mean that you may be staying on your campus during a short fall break but giving you the opportunity to possibly visit college friends' homes.
Students
While visiting a college/university be sure to take a good look at the students walking around the campus. Are the guys dressed in sport shirts or ties and the girls wearing dresses or crisply ironed pants or are t-shirts and jeans the attire? You do want to have friends at your college or university so at least 25 percent of the students who are attending the school now should be similar to you.
Talk with current students while on campus because most remember searching for a school and are happy to answer your questions. Ask if they are glad they are there? What are the strengths and weaknesses of this college/university? You may hear the common compliant on most campuses, "There is no place to park!" Always remember that a negative to one student may be exactly why you would want to attend!
Activities
Beyond the classroom, what would you like to participate in? Will you participate in sports or be screaming in the stands for the football team? Writing for the campus newspaper? Joining the Sierra Club? Tutoring local elementary children? Volunteering at a soup kitchen? Joining the ballroom dance club? If the college or university does not have an activity that you would like to do, ask how easy it is to start a new organization.
Is joining a fraternity or sorority important to you? If so, find out how many of the students belong to Greek organizations. If the Greek life is not for you, find out what is there for you to do if most of the students are in a fraternity or sorority. On some campuses, Greek life is everything -- on others, it's merely a side attraction.
Appearance
Have you dreamed of long, green lawns lined with a large canopy of trees with brick, columned buildings? Or are your dreams of gothic stone buildings with gargoyles staring down, giving you the feel of a castle? Many colleges and universities will match these desires, while others present a mix: modern steel, glass buildings next to an ivy-covered brick dorm.
Walk around the campus or view an on-line video tour to be sure you are content with the campus appearance. If the architectural style is less than desirable for you, be sure to note this to eliminate similar campus types.
Price
From every college bound student's household is heard one question (besides "Can I get in?") is "How much will it cost?" Sticker shock at the gas tank is one thing -- sticker shock at the tuition bill is another. The cost of college creates headaches for students when they hear their parents' reaction to the price of tuition, room and board of their dream school: "You have got to be kidding that you think I can pay this!"
Early in your process of checking out colleges and universities, be sure to have a family discussion on financing your education. Plan for an increase in the price each year after your freshman year, since few colleges or universities maintain the same price for attendance from year to year.
It's time to start reading and visiting campuses. Enjoy the journey, and remember:
All education is good education!
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