With thousands of public
and private colleges and universities in the United States, there are quite a
few options out there. Nearly every school will have something that may be
attractive, but which one is right for you? Regardless of
ranking—regardless of anything—that is the key question. Keep your preferences,
personality and goals in mind when considering colleges. Here are some
categories and criteria that may help.
Academic Choices. You may have some idea of a possible major and career path,
so reviewing the choice of courses at an institution of higher learning will
quickly clue you in on whether it's a good fit. One reason many students
ultimately choose a college is its strength in a particular area of study: nursing
or engineering, perhaps, or even an emerging field such as health-care
economics or global environmental change. On the other hand, if you don't have
a concentration in mind, you may want a school that offers the maximum options.
Athletics. There are Division I sports schools (football stadiums that hold
80,000+ fans) or smaller schools where you don't have to be a superstar to play
on a collegiate team. There are other schools with no particular athletic
focus. What do you want in terms of opportunities to participate?
Big Schools vs. Small Schools. Undergraduate populations can be small—under 2,500—or
large—35,000 and even more. You may fear getting lost in the shuffle at a big
school and assume you'll have closer relationships with classmates and professors
at a small one—but that's not necessarily true.
At even the largest universities you may be able to find your own niche.
Some big schools even have smaller class sizes and better student-to-teacher
ratios than small schools. Likewise, some really small colleges have
specialized programs of study that may best fulfill your desire to focus on a
single discipline or field.
Diversity. Some schools have a multicultural student body, including students
from across the country and around the world. Others have a plurality/majority
of students from one ethnic, religious or racial background. The composition of
the student enrollment will have a profound effect on your college experience,
so give this category especially careful consideration.
Location, Location, Location. The location of a college will make a huge difference in
your college experience. A diverse urban center can be a never-ending source of
stimulation, while a rural locale may provide so few distractions that you may
find it easier to focus on studies. Plus, if you love nature and outdoor
recreation, you may want to be someplace outside a city. Maybe a suburb near a
major city? Keep your weather/climate preferences in mind too. If you hate
rainy or cold weather, there are certain parts of the country you may want to
leave off your map entirely.
Living Situations. How comfortable are the residence halls? Are they
modernized? Air-conditioned? Will you live on campus, close to classes, or
off-campus? We recommend taking an online tour of residence halls at any school
in which you have serious interest. Better yet, visit in person—and spend the
night.
Class Size. This is the average number of students enrolled in each class. The
lower the number, the more personalized attention your student will receive
from the professor.
Reputation. OK,
this brings us to a myth: The idea that a degree from a top-of-the-line college
or university will give you more bang for your buck. In fact, many graduates of
lesser-known schools achieve as much as students from the Ivy League. In truth,
most graduates of high-profile schools succeed because of the character that
got them admitted—and students of equal character can do just as well,
regardless of their school's reputation. Still, it's smart to ask about a
school's track record for retention, graduation and successful job and graduate
school placement.
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COLLEGE SEARCH AND THE RIGHT FIT
