What to Look For in a College

Before high school is over, your thoughts will be clouded with ideas of college. But how do you know which college is best for you? What will help you determine your major? Is living on campus the best solution? Is living at home completely a no-no? With so many questions about such an important topic, it is a good idea to sit down and research the college or university you will attend. Not only should your ultimate decision be based on the size and location of the institution, but also cost, athletics.

Choosing a college isn’t an easy task; that’s why it is even more important to research, research and research! Be sure to look at colleges that meet all of your needs, but don’t become discouraged. With over 4,000 schools throughout the nation there is one just for you.

Size
When you begin researching a college, you should first consider the size of the school that you would like to attend. Are you interested in a school with less than one hundred students or a campus that has more than 11,000 students? This decision will be yours and will be based on your comfort zone; however, you should be sure to research the class size and the professor to student ratio to ensure that you are comfortable with the arrangement. One thing you should note is whether you want to "get lost in the crowd” or if you are interested in knowing the majority of the student population. When visiting a college, don’t hesitate to ask your tour guide and other students at the college about the make-up of the student body. These ambassadors can give you a sneak peek into the world after high school.

Location
Location is also a key element in your decision. There are colleges in rural areas, cities, and suburban zones. Think about where you grew up and how much of a change you want when you attend college. The question you have to ask yourself is what type of environment is most conducive to your learning. Be honest with yourself. If you are distracted easily, a college in an urban city may not be the best option for you. On the other hand, if a rural area or suburban area would drive you crazy because of the limited number of off-campus activities, then maybe a more metropolitan area would work best. Traveling back and forth to home is also a factor. Keep in mind how likely you are to get homesick and how much money you can afford to spend in travel, but don’t let this stop you from attending your dream university. With advancements in technology, you can still feel close to home with the touch of a button.

Cost
Financial issues can make or break your decision about attending a particular college, but it should not determine whether or not you attend college at all. A lot can be done to keep college costs under control, from choosing a reasonably priced school to taking advantage of financial aid and scholarships. In most cases, public universities often offer much lower tuition rates to in-state students, but their fees to out-of-state residents are usually pretty similar to private schools. Private institutions charge everyone the same tuition, but they often have privately-funded scholarships available, so it may be worth looking into both options.

Major
With over 4,000 colleges and universities throughout the U.S., you have a choice not only in the size and location of a college, but also universities’ expertise. While looking for a college you will notice some schools have a large graduate program and devote much of their time and resources to research. On the other hand, some colleges focus on undergraduate teaching and learning. Other colleges have a specialty in one specific area, such as engineering or writing. Colleges like HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities) were founded to help educate students from diverse backgrounds just as other institutions are geared toward religious beliefs and same sex education.

Since you want to attend a school that is going to prepare you for your chosen profession, you should look into schools that offer programs in your area of interest. If you have plans to be a doctor, research schools with strong science and pre-med programs. Do you see yourself as a teacher? Well, a school with a great teacher preparation program should be at the top of your list. In contrast, a school with many strong academic programs will give you an opportunity to determine your career plans.

Sports, Organizations and Intramurals
While making college visits and researching schools via the web, be sure to look into the athletic programs and other extracurricular activities. Check out the student life section of the school; ask about student government, Greek life, honor societies, the school newspaper, and any other activities you can dream up. You want to make sure you attend a college that can fulfill your social needs along with addressing your academic goals.

Editorial provided by Pamela Owens-Freeman, Assistant Director of Recruitment & Marketing at Prairie View A&M University.