Once you’ve entered the high school years, you’ll probably find there’s that one particular question that comes up again and again …
“So where are you planning to go to college?”
Talk about a major life decision! If you’ve already decided that a four-year is the right fit for you and you’re ready to start exploring, what do you do next?
Whether you have a short list of dream colleges to look into or dozens of contenders, here are 5 first considerations to help you narrow the pool and find the perfect fit.
Safety: Your safety should always be top priority at any institution. Be sure to look into the communities where your prospective campuses are located. It's also important to consider campus safety and the services available as this is crucial for your academic and personal growth. Do the campuses you're considering offer shuttle services and safety escorts? 24/7 campus security?
Location: If you’re set on experiencing a new part of the state, country or globe, think about how far you’re willing to go and what distance would be doable. Is it a drive you could comfortably make (if you have a vehicle) or a quick flight home? Also think about what's happening within the community around campus. Are there opportunities to have fun around the area? Shopping, concerts, recreational activities, professional sports teams?
Do you have a general sense of what you want to study? When browsing schools, see if they have related academic offerings with your major(s) or minor(s). Review whatever information is available online and see what the course requirements are to earn a degree. Is it a good mix of classes that you feel excited about? If you don’t have any idea what you want to study just yet (don’t worry, that’s totally normal!), look through each school’s list of academic offerings and see what catches your eye. Make note of any majors or minors that could have potential in the future. Then, consider research and internship opportunities later on down the road. Does the college have student success stories to show previous experiences? Are there local partnerships with businesses and organizations that you might be able to benefit from? And finally, think about the opportunity to study abroad. Learn how you can get a once-in-a-lifetime experience earning credits while traveling the world!
The size of your classes is a big consideration. Are you coming from a small high school where you know the names of all the teachers in every grade? Do you prefer a lower student to instructor ratio with more personalized interaction? Maybe you’re from a larger school and having a bunch of students in your classes is the norm. Look into each college’s faculty-to-student ratio and see if it’s a number you feel comfortable with.
Coming into college, you’ll want to meet people and get involved, especially the first year. Do the schools you’re interested in offer a good selection of student clubs and organizations? Are there opportunities to volunteer within the local community? Is there a range of interest areas, from social to academic to recreational? Do you play an instrument or hope to continue singing in a choir? If you play a sport, athletics could be a big consideration, too. Are you hoping to compete at the college level? See what sports teams different schools have and what division/conference they're in.
It’s hard to choose a college without first stepping foot on campus. Once you begin narrowing your college list, schedule some campus visits. Go see and experience different campuses. Take guided tours and then do some exploring on your own. What do you like and dislike? Can you picture yourself there? This should be pretty high on your list considering it could be home for the next four years!
Your college choice is personal. Take time, do your research, and choose a place where you can grow, learn, and succeed.
