7 Tips to Help You Choose a College
By Elizabeth Kraus, co-founder myUsearch.com
Will you be graduating from high school soon? Are you considering going back to school? Interested in finishing a degree? Chances are, if you’ve made it to this site, you are probably in the process of choosing a college, but how do you decide which college is right for you?
Here are seven tips every students should read before choosing a college.
Understand Accreditation. If you want employers to value your degree or there is any chance you might transfer to another college in the future, make sure to choose an accredited degree program. Additionally, you should also understand what type of accreditation is right for you. Most degree programs have either Regional or National accreditation. Make sure you understand the difference and determine which accreditation is right for you. Don’t Let the Sticker Price Scare You. If the cost of tuition is a factor in your college decision, make sure you have all of the facts before you rule out a college based on cost alone. Oftentimes colleges that are more expensive on paper are actually far cheaper than the sticker prices listed. When financial aid, scholarships and tuition discounts are considered, many expensive private schools are actually cheaper than there less prestigious counterparts. Understand the True Cost of Your Degree. Although you shouldn’t immediately rule out any colleges just because of cost, it is important to understand what your total college cost will be. Tuition is just one small piece of the college cost pie. Make sure you have a clear idea of what your room and board and other living expenses will be. As an example, my monthly living expenses were about 500 dollars more at the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO than my younger brothers’ at Albion College in Albion, MI. That’s six thousand dollars more each year. Yikes! Consider Your College Major. Although most students don’t know their major when they start college, it is good to have a general idea of what major you plan to pursue before you choose a college. When I was choosing a college, I almost enrolled at Colorado College, but decided on the University of Colorado at the last minute. My decision turned out to be a good one because the major I thought I would pursue (and did pursue) was not offered at Colorado College. Don’t Base Your College Choice on Your Boyfriend/Girlfriend. I know about twenty people who chose their college because it was where their boyfriend or girlfriend was going and not one of those relationships are still standing today. No matter how much you might think your relationship is different, chances are it isn’t. Don’t give up your dream college to follow your high school love. If it’s meant to be, it will work out regardless of where you choose to go to college. Trust me. Don’t Chase Your Parents’ Dream. Even if your parents have been grooming you to go to their alma mater since you were in the womb, don’t base your decision on what your parents, friends or other pushy family members think you should do. This is your life and you are the one that is going to have to live with the consequences – good or bad – of the college you choose. Even if it breaks their heart, be sure to choose the college that is right for you. In the end, everyone will be happier that way. Follow Your Gut. No matter how great a college might seem on paper, if it doesn’t “feel right”, it’s not the right college for you. Consider all of the tangible factors – academics, cost, campus life, the town, the professors, job placement opportunities, etc., but don’t forget to listen to your heart.
If you need help finding the right college for you, use the myUsearch college matching questionnaire to find your college match and for further reading check out the myUsearch blog for more tips for choosing a college.
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