College: Your Future is in Your Hands
Mar 22 '01 (Updated Jan 28 '06)
The Bottom Line Selecting the right university takes time and research, and it shouldn't be taken lightly.
Senior year of high school is a time of change for many people. It's a time to grow and a time to start thinking seriously about one’s future. Most of us think about our futures throughout high school, but during senior year is when push comes to shove. We anticipate completing high school, reaching adulthood, and venturing out on our own for the first time.
Once graduation day arrives, what will you do? Will you head immediately into the work force, or will you choose to enroll full- time into a college or university? If you decide to enroll in college, then let me give you a few tips on making the right selection.
Where do I Begin my Search?
Choosing a college can be a major task for the young student. The internet has helped make life a little easier, by providing easy access to information. Most every college in the nation (4- year and 2- year) has an active web site to help answer your questions about the school's academics, social life, etc. Most colleges will even allow you to apply on- line, and some schools are now requiring that students apply on- line.
Academic Selection:
Many students are attracted to a certain school for the wrong reasons. It could be that the college is well- known for its sports programs. It could be because our mom or dad went there, or really want us to go there. It could be because our friends want to go to the same school. But the most important reason to choose a college should be its academic reputation for your chosen field of study. Colleges are usually very solid in a few areas, but not in all areas. As much as you might like a specific college, you should reconsider attending if your chosen major is not reputable at that particular school.
Social Life:
Academics are important, but so is socializing! Most of my best memories from college relate to my personal experiences with other people. When you select a school, you need to ask yourself how important the social scene is to your happiness as a student. If you really like partying and carousing, then you should avoid a school that has a reputation for being strict, lest you will end up spending your college years bored and restless.
My recommendation is to choose a school that does have at least a moderate amount of social activity. I would avoid schools that are too strict, especially those that try to control your thoughts and actions. Most students already have enough stress from their courses. You don’t need the added pressure from a school that tries to control what you think about, what you eat and drink, or that tells you whether or not you can have sex. These decisions should be left to the individual person.
Financial Considerations:
Money is the bottom line for many students! If your mind is set on attending an expensive private school, it won’t make any difference if you're accepted or not if you have no way to pay your bill. State colleges are often less than half as expensive as private schools, and if your financial situation is tight, you may not have any choice. You might have to choose a state school. Keep in mind that state colleges are less expensive only if you go to a school within your home state. If you want to enroll in a state college in a different state, your tuition will be much higher. Also, your financial aid can be affected by the location of your chosen college. If you stay within your state, you will usually qualify for more student aid. When I enrolled in college, I had no money at all. I knew that I had to stay in the state of Ohio, in order to maximize my financial aid. As much as I loved the idea of going to school in a nice, warm climate like south Florida or California, I knew that my financial situation would not allow it.
Size of the College:
This is an important factor for some people. If you choose a very large college, you may not get the personalized attention that you would get in a smaller school. In addition to that, many large state colleges have class sizes that are very large and instead of lectures from a live teacher, you might end up watching an instructional video instead. Would this bother you? If so, then you should avoid a large college.
Other Factors:
There are many other factors to consider, like proximity to your hometown, collegiate sports, housing, etc. Do you really enjoy division #1 sports action? Do you want to live close to home? Do you want a wide variety of housing options to choose from? Each school has its positives and negatives in all of these areas, and they should be considered, if any of these factors are important to you.
Final Thoughts:
Selecting a college takes time, and it's not something that should be taken lightly. Your future is at stake when you make a decision like this. And I don't mean just your money- making future, I'm talking about your mental health as well. If you make the wrong decision, it can really take its toll on your self- esteem and happiness. When you graduate from college, you don’t want to look back with regret, wishing you had gone someplace else. That's why it's important to make the best decision from the very beginning. Take a good, hard look at all of the qualities that are important to you, and then make an informed decision. This is your future, so don't waste it!
For More Educational Reading, Click on the Links Below:
Advice on College Admissions:
How to Help Your Child Choose a College
How to Apply to College
Should I Transfer Schools?
Should I Take Time Off?
Should I Go to Grad School?
Advice on College Life:
College Survival Tips
What is College Really Like?
What I Should Know About Dealing with College Roommates
What Should I Know About Greek Life in College?
What I Should Know About Alcohol Abuse in College
What I Should Know About Spring Break Planning
What Should I Bring to School
How Can I Succeed in College Academics?
How to Manage Your Time
How Should I Deal With Tough Times in School?
How Should I Prepare for Life After Graduation?
Advice on College Finances:
Should I Take a Part Time Job?
How to Pay Off Student Loans
How to Manage Your Budget
How to Negotiate Financial Aid Packages
How to Apply for Financial Aid
Reviews of Test Prep Materials, Services, and “How To”:
800Score.com
How to Take the GMAT
How to Take the GRE
What is the GRE?
Kaplan GMAT On- Line Course
Princeton Review GMAT On- Line Course
Reviews of Specific Universities:
Wright State University
University of Dayton
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