The college you go to has a great influence on your future career and life. Making this choice affects your life from social activities to academics and goes beyond. It’s enviable to be accepted in top-colleges, but note that you must pick one since you can’t attend them all.
Therefore, think carefully and read on to know more about choosing the right college for yourself and various available options before enrolling.
Interrogate Your Wants and Reasons for Going to That College
Examine yourself and the reasons you have for wanting to go to college. What are your strengths and abilities? What really do you desire in life? What are your weaknesses? The college counselor will ask you various questions which you should answer with confidence. Consult people who really know you best for assistance in answering these important questions.
Size Is Important
Most liberal arts institutions have fewer than 4,000 students in the population for a reason. College gives you an opportunity to explore and the smaller the community the conducive the atmosphere for exploration. Remember, it’s not how many students there are, but the people in there that matter as you learn from them in the course of your interaction. Most universities have established honors colleges in the larger institution for these same reasons.
Don’t go for Name Brand as It Doesn’t Guarantee Your Success
If you doubt, think about those people closest to you who are successful and happy, then find out where they went to college. Also, you can ask about famous people and where they went to college. You will come to realize that the success one achieves in life has very little to do with the choice of college but the opportunities and experience they got while in college in addition to their personal traits and qualities.
In time you will realize that many colleges outperform those ivy league institutions and name brands. Not all colleges require application fees, so do the research to find out which colleges you can apply for without a fee and make a list of the most desired ones. Graduate schools and employers always look for experience and outstanding skills, not college pedigree. Therefore, as you search for the right college, inquire about the student outcomes.
It’s Not Compulsory That You Choose a Major to Pick Your College
Few high school graduates have the experience and enough information to choose a major. You also need the variety and depth of college coursework to know your aptitude and interest.
As a result, most high school graduates change their minds at least two times before they settle on a major. Staying undecided opens you to more academic experiences which is a good thing.
Don’t Get Scared by the Stories You Hear
Paying attention to the headlines can easily make you believe you are on a road to nowhere. The truth is that most universities and colleges admit more students than they actually reject. So, don’t be too worried about your chances of gaining admission. Be willing to investigate further beyond those highly selective colleges. Indeed, you will come to find many options that are of a great fit for you.
Stay informed concerning your academic profile and compare them with those of recently enrolled classes in those colleges you are currently investigating. Go to the college admission site to get the information. Also, you can ask for guidance and additional advice from your high school counselor.
Can You Afford Going to College?
Don’t judge or assume you can’t afford to go to college because of the price on the tuition because if you do, you will definitely miss out. It’s often difficult to discuss money, but you are encouraged to investigate all options. Ask for advice and help with affordable college choices.
There are many online resources and financial aid sponsorships that you can take advantage of for the start. University and college financial aid websites also have useful links and information on the matter as well. Do your investigations early.
There Is No Timeline for College
There is no rush or a perfect time for college. Some students take a year off to engage in gainful employment, travel or study. These experiences make them better and more engaged students. Some students apply for college to get admission then defer entrance as others wait to apply later after getting an alternative experience.
Either-way, admission officers will be more interested in knowing your experiences during your time off and can ask you to write about it as part of the admission process.
Pick a college that fits your needs by taking into account who you want to become and who you are. Remember, college is not a prize to be won but a match to be made. Therefore, find your good fit which takes thoughtfulness and time.
I’ve been interviewing summer analyst applicants for years at a Fortune 500 company and have some suggestions:
1. Save a ton of $ by taking 1st year at a local community college, then transfer to school of choice. It’s a bit risky, but you’ll be learning how to manage risk throughout your career anyway. Might as well start early.
2. Don’t go to mid tier private schools. Either go Ivy / near Ivy or go to a city or state school. Mid tier private universities are entertainment establishments that offer little in actual career preparedness. Companies don’t favor them any more than city or state schools.
3. Aim to graduate a semester early and plan school time accordingly. You’ll save a lot of time and money and allow yourself post school travel time.
4. Remember that colleges are making money on you. Don’t be a sucker and use your time in a college learning as much as you can about a chosen major, networking and interning. Anything else and you’re wasting $.
5. Stay away from ideologues. That’s another scam that may cost you not just our career and a lot of money, but also your mind.
6. Remote learning doesn’t work.
Everyone be ready to protest the protestors. They’re planning on ruining another Saturday in the CBD this Saturday at 4PM.