One of the family counseling topics that come up from time to time is the challenge of having kids leave for college. In a previous post we talked about deciding if college is the right choice for you. Now we’ll talk about how to guide the decision making process of where to go to college to pursue a degree.
Once you do your research and decide it would be a good investment for you to attend college, you’re left with the job of choosing between a mind-numbing number of colleges and universities which to attend. Colleges and universities spend thousands and tens of thousands of dollars every year on marketing and recruitment strategies trying to meet enrollment quotas. Most likely, you have been blitzed with materials from multiple schools boasting about the type of experience you’ll have, their retention and graduation rates, and who are their famous alumni. It’s a ton of information through which to sort, and there are few things you should keep in mind when trying to decide which college or university is the one for you:
Tip #1: Do they offer your major?
If not, take them off your list. If so, check and make sure the program is accredited (if applicable). Talk with their professors about what types of classes you’ll be expected to take and if they require any special experiences to get your degree (internships, clinicals, research involvement, study abroad).
Tip #2: Are you too close or close enough to home?
Some students can’t wait until the day they move away to college and others are petrified to leave the safety of home. Some students choose to live at home and attend classes to save money. Others decide to live on campus. Some students will choose to attend a local college or university and still live on campus, having home close enough to do laundry and get a free, home-cooked meal when they need it. If you decide to go to a college or university far away from you, you’ll need to consider what it will cost to go home during the major holiday breaks (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring break) and factor that into your decision. If you’re ready to spread your wings and don’t think you can do that close to home, consider schools that are far enough away for you to feel like you have some space, but close enough to make a trip home doable should you need or want to visit.
Tip #3: Private school or Public School?
Private schools are funded by donor money and tuition income, whereas public schools are funded by state governments. Public schools are often larger, with larger graduate schools and more research faculty. Private schools tend to be more expensive, but also offer numerous scholarships to make it affordable. Many private schools (especially religious ones) have codes of conduct that you should research before moving in. In most instances, if you violate the code of conduct, you’ll be punished with fines, suspensions, or expulsions. You definitely need to decide if you can live by a code of conduct before choosing that school, regardless of how good the scholarship package looks.
Tip #4: Can you afford it?
When comparing schools, compare more than the size of the dorm rooms or the Greek life. You’ll need to take a good, hard, honest look at the bottom line. Ask about grants and scholarships, work study programs, and discount rates. Be sure, if you take out loans to have a great college experience, you’ll be able to pay off those loans once you graduate and get a job.
Tip #5: Do you know anyone else who has or will be attending that school?
Check out the school’s reputation by talking with former or current students. See if the program in which you’ll be studying has a list of alumni you could contact to hear about their experience at the school. Will you be the only person you know attending that school? If so, are you prepared to fly solo for a bit? Are you prepared to make new friends and possibly step out of your comfort zone?
Tip #6: Big school or small school?
Did you come from a big high school where you didn’t know very many people or from a small school where everyone knew your name? Are you up for a change or do you want to stick with what you know? This may be another case in which you might want to go to a school where you know someone, so that you have a familiar face to help you navigate the changes and new environment.
These are all important factors to consider in making this big choice in your life. While you can transfer if you find the school you chose wasn’t a good fit, you might be able to save yourself time, money, and effort by doing your research in advance. Ask the right questions of the right people and you’ll hopefully find the college that meets your needs and gives you valuable experiences along the way!