If it doesn’t fit, you must scrap it: 9 things to think about when choosing a college

Deciding which college to attend is a big step that plays an important role in a student’s future success. The school a student enrolls in can provide a strong foundation that offers an empowering and supportive environment, or it can provide an ill-fitting atmosphere that makes it difficult for the student to thrive. Researching and ensuring that a post-secondary institution meets one’s needs and expectations are essential in finding the best fit. With careful planning, students and families can make an educated decision by considering the student’s unique needs. Here are nine considerations students and families should consider as they decide which colleges and universities to attend.

1.????Admissions Process

Researching the institution’s admissions process is an essential first step. Students and families must understand the school’s admission criteria, required documents, application deadlines, and other important information about enrollment. Some colleges may require additional steps or forms when applying. So, it is best to be aware of this ahead of time to avoid delays or complications in the application process.??

2.????Academic reputation, accreditation, faculty, and staff

Students and families would do well to research the type of institution, accreditation standing, and school reputation. The field a student desires to enter may require the student to graduate from a specific type of school (i.e., a research institution versus a teaching institution). Some advanced programs or employment opportunities may require college graduates to have graduated from a school holding a specific type of accreditation (i.e., regional accreditation or national accreditation). Moreover, some jobs may look to the institution’s reputation to determine if they want to hire candidates.?

Likewise, students and families would do well to research faculty and staff experience and expertise. Find out the range of faculty member degrees and research areas to determine which faculty have similar interests as the student. Knowing this information would be beneficial when research or employment opportunities arise. Similarly, students would benefit from knowing which staff members are knowledgeable in specific areas to determine whom to contact when the student needs access to services and resources or when they are looking for personal development opportunities.?

3.????Academic offerings

Investigating the overall college or university academic offerings is essential before committing. Research the available majors and minors. If there are any specializations within those majors or minors, and whether specific courses must be completed for each major or minor. When researching potential schools, consider the student’s academic interests. Find out if they offer a major that matches the student’s goals. Determine if there are enough course options to explore different areas and discover what fits best. Find out about the school’s approach to experiential learning. Ask if classes are designed in a way that will help students apply newfound knowledge in real-world contexts. Additionally, investigate the average class size and the professor-student ratio at the school; it is helpful to know how much individual attention students can expect in their classes.

4.????Cost of attendance

The cost of attendance is an essential factor that must be considered. Students and families can benefit from knowing the cost of each class, each semester, and differential pricing based on the time of year or the semester classes are completed. For example, students enrolling in Summer semester courses may pay a different price per credit hour than students enrolling in a class during the Fall or Spring semesters. Prospective students should schedule an appointment with a financial aid or bursar official to discuss these expenses and possible resources to help with tuition and other school-related costs.

5.????Campus visit

Visiting the college or university in person is also a great way to get an impression of the school. When visiting, explore dining halls, student centers, and other campus places directly impacting the student experience. Talk to current students, faculty, and staff members about their experiences studying and working at the institution and ask questions about research opportunities or career services available on campus. Also, attending virtual or in-person informational events organized by the school can provide more information about the college culture, academic programs, extracurricular activities, and anything else important to the student and family. Furthermore, it may be helpful to visit the campus at different times during the day and evening, on weekdays and weekends, to get a sense of community activity and safety.

6.????Campus culture and student life

When looking into a college’s culture, consider the resources they provide on campus. Get a sense of whether there are ample study areas; the kind of living accommodations they offer; and the type of health care, career counseling, or academic or career advising available. It is also essential to examine the available student organizations and clubs to understand how involved students can be in extracurricular activities. Moreover, if diversity is important, research the student population’s demographic characteristics and available support. The institution’s website can be a good beginning platform to determine whether the school supports this value. Likewise, the website may have additional information about admission requirements, student profiles, housing options, and other amenities that may be essential factors in the student’s college decision-making process.?

7.????Technology Resources

The technological resources available on campus are an increasingly important factor for many students when selecting a college. Find out if the school offers students state-of-the-art computer hardware and software systems to complete their coursework. Also, determine the online resources offered through the school to support virtual class participation, library hardcopy and digital assets, and technical support.

8.????Geographic location

The school’s location is important when considering the social capital, services, and resources the student will have access to. Different clubs and activities may be available depending on where the school is located. If the school is in a remote location, find out whether transportation is available to allow the student to explore the campus and surrounding areas for recreation or work experiences.

9.????Career development and alumni connection

One of the ultimate goals of going to college is to find a life path that suits the individual. Having access to a supportive career services program can help. Find out if the school offers career fairs; professional statements, cover letters, and resume reviews; mock interviews; internships and externships; or professional networking events that could help the student determine possible career paths.

To better understand the student experience, students and families can also look for reviews from current students and alums about their time in college. This can shed light on how satisfied people were with the campus atmosphere and overall level of engagement in student life. Alumni have firsthand experience of what it was like studying at the school. Their insights are invaluable for those wanting to better understand the student perspective from those who graduated from the college or university.?

Knowing what to expect before committing to a school helps students and families make informed decisions on how to proceed and supports students in finding an institution tailored to their needs and desires.

Do you have specific factors that contributed to your decision to choose one school over the other? I would love to hear about them.