• Home
• About us
• Admission Overview
  • Admission decision
  • College admission tests
  • Letters of recommendation
  • International requirements
• Office
• Students
  • Terms you should know
  • How to choose a college
  • Testing calendar
  • ACT strategies
  • SAT strategies
  • Types of institutions
  • Tests scores
  • Scholarships
• Parents
  • Keep thing in balance
  • Financial aid
  • Latin american schools
  • Schools in Guatemala
  • Student visa
  • Sponsor a student
  • Free college ranking
• Admission Directors
  • Latin american schools
  • Schools in Guatemala
  • Student visa
  • Sponsor a student
• Blog

 

 

How to Choose a College

There are no precise consumer guides for higher education as there are, for instance, for cars. And, while you may have the chance to buy a dozen or more cars in your lifetime, shopping for a college is usually a one-time event.

Just a few years ago, the average high school student was applying to three or four schools; today, the average is six to eight applications per student. Colleges and universities faced with increased competition for a diminishing number of eighteen-year-olds have developed marketing programs that are turning the college admissions process into a frenzied, promotional activity. The personal letters, brochures, and telephone solicitations that many students and their parents receive, plus the likelihood of acceptance at more than one institution, increase both the number of options and the complexity of decisions.

There are ways for parents and students to be good college shoppers - to control the process rather than letting it control them. Students need to know the right questions to ask - of themselves and of the colleges. Here are some:

1. Know Thyself: consider the academic subject materials you have enjoyed the most in high school.
2. Study the undergraduate catalog (usually available on the university’s web site). Examine the number and kinds of courses available in your areas of interest, the number and training of faculty and other departments that might be related to your interests. See about possibilities for related internships, exchange programs, and foreign study.
3. Consider the extremes. Do you want to be in an urban or rural setting, a big school or a small school, warm weather or cold weather, close to home or far away, at a school where the SAT scores of other freshmen are significantly higher or lower than your own? Anticipate how these circumstances might affect your positive adjustment to the college community.
4. Know your parent’s financial limitations. What can they afford? If you are considering a school far from home, are transportation costs a factor? The cost of an institution perhaps should not be a primary consideration until the chances of financial aid are explored, but it helps to know about financial limitations while you are making a final choice.
5. Do not rely exclusively on the advice of alumni. Most people tend to romanticize their college experience after they have been away a few years. You probably will get a clearer picture of the school by talking with students and faculty who are there now.
6. Avoid assumptions. The most common of these is that the school that is hardest to get into will be the best school for you. This is often not the case. The hard work that makes you an academic achiever should be balanced with other activities that can also contribute to your personal growth.

A situation demanding all of your time for study may not be what you want or need. Also, do not assume that a small school is going to give more personal attention than a large one; it depends on the spirit of the institution and the department in question.

There are many factors to consider in choosing the college or university that will be best suited for a particular student. Some factors may be of more importance to one individual than they would be to another. Each student must decide what is important to him or her and then determine the institution which will best meet those needs. Following are ten factors which the student should consider when choosing a college.

Reputation
Good reputation results from high standards and quality education. The number of students who go on to graduate studies can be an indication of the quality of the program.

Admissions Policy
Many colleges are obviously more selective than others. It is important to understand the admission requirements of the institutions in which you are interested and realistically consider your chances of acceptance. It is usually advisable to apply to 8 institutions - the three that are most desirable, another three that would be acceptable or medium for you, and to which you have a good chance of being admitted, and two "safety" schools - two that are acceptable and to which you are sure that you will be admitted. Normally, six-eight applications are sufficient.

Cost
There are great differences in the costs of attending various colleges, depending on whether the college is private or public, whether it is close to home or far away, whether you will be a resident student or a commuter. Families that may have a hard time meeting college costs should not be discouraged as they might be eligible to receive financial aid. Please note that not all schools give financial aid to foreign students. If you plan to apply to a state university, you can reduce the cost and make the admission process a little easier by qualifying as a bona fide state resident. Requirements vary in each state so it is important to consult the residency requirement guide in the college counseling office.

Facilities
College campuses and facilities vary greatly from institution to institution. The physical environment can affect a student’s happiness. If at all possible a student should visit the institution to which he might apply. A prospective student should be interested in the size and appearance of the campus, the atmosphere, space and equipment, how well the library is stocked, the appearance and comfort of residence halls and possibilities of student diversions and relaxation in the form of student centers and sports facilities.

Size
There are colleges of 500 to 1000 students; there are state universities with 40,000 and more on a single campus; and there are schools of varying size in between these extremes. Small schools may have the advantage of intimacy, increased personalized attention, ability to work closely with professors while large schools may have the advantages of extensive and expensive facilities, and greater variety of course offerings.

Foreign Students
Some colleges and universities in the United States make a definite effort to attract non-American students; some have had experience with foreign students and are prepared to meet their special needs with an orientation program, special student advisor, etc.

Student Life
This factor includes the make-up of the student body, student activities and organizations, student services, athletics, the role of sororities and fraternities, the number of students who live on campus, etc. Attention should be given to the competitiveness and academic demands of the institution as well as the diversity of social and cultural life on campus.

Faculty
An educational institution is only as good as its teachers. One measure of quality is the number of faculty holding doctorates.

 

 

 

Copyright 2000 .willgetyouin.com. All rights reserved.