SELECTING A COLLEGE IS HARD!

• The search begins with you, your personality, values, preferences, interests, skills and ambitions
• Where will you best fit in and accomplish your educational and career goals?
• It is not just about where you will be happy.
• Many students select a college based on its ranking or academic reputation
• Others choose a college because of its low cost or “party school” culture
• The key is to begin with self – knowledge, and then find colleges that complement you, not the other way around
• Does the college have the specific departments, majors, professors, classes, advising and resources you need to reach your post – graduate objectives?
• What are your academic and career short – term and long – term goals?
• Choosing one college over another should be a logical and critical thinking decision. It should follow the facts and rational decision-making process. It should occur after comparing and contrasting a dozen or more features that matter to you.
• Where you apply to and where you attend college should be places consistent with your long – range objectives
• If your academic and/or career interests change, which school will allow you to explore your interests further?

ACADEMICS CONSIDERATIONS

• What are your greatest academic strengths?
• What are your academic weaknesses?
• Do you prefer learning in a small class discussion group or a 700 – student capacity lecture hall?
• Do you prefer rigor and pushing your abilities to the limit, or easy classes?
• Do you want your professors to be readily available for office hours, or do you prefer to study on your own?
• Do the campus resources, faculty, research, and study abroad opportunities matter to you?
• Does a liberal arts education or a private institution appeal to you?

NON-ACADEMIC CONSIDERATIONS

• Do you plan to take advantage of the party scene?
• Do you prefer a suburban, metropolitan or rural campus setting?
• Will you be homesick living far from home?
• Do you prefer small classes, at a small school on a small campus or vice versa?
• What are your political leanings and spiritual requirements?
• Is the cost of your college education a matter of importance?
• Where will your professional and personal needs best be met?
• Are club or intercollegiate sports or school spirit important to you?

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCHOOL: It’s all about fit

• Give Yourself Time: Start Early
• Know Yourself: Your Personality, preferred learning style & goals
• Research the Colleges: Find 8 – 12 colleges that best match your values, our preferences, academic and career objectives
• Proper Preparation: Grades, Scores, Abilities, Research
• Self-Reflection
  • What Really Matters to You?
  • What Inspires You?
  • What Challenges You?
  • What will be Your Gift to the World?
  • How do you Positively Impact the People around You?

Factors for selecting the program

• Student Body Culture
• Faculty Reputation
• Prestige
• Academic, Career and Peer Advising
• Alumni Network
• School Spirit
• Safe Environment
• Campus and Class Size
• Location and Climate
  • • Resources (libraries, laboratories and study abroad opportunities
• Undergraduate Housing
• Plethora of major and courses