Step-By-Step Guide To Choosing A College

One of the biggest decisions that any young adult needs to make is what college they are going to go to. With so many different options to choose from, it can feel impossible to know where to start. However, you don’t need to fret, as we have put this guide together to give you a helping hand. Continue reading to discover the step-by-step guide on choosing the right college for you.

Develop your short-list

The first thing that you need to do is put together a short-list of all of the colleges you would think about attending. There are lots of different factors you need to consider when it comes to determining what sort of college is going to be right for you. This includes their selection process, opportunities outside of the campus, majors and programs, enrollment size, and location. This part of the process is going to take a long period of time. After all, there is a lot of research that is required on each college in order to decide whether or not it is going to make the shortlist.

You also need to look into how much each college costs. You can read this piece on how to find your student loan if you are going to need some monetary assistance. It is good to know what you are going to be eligible for so that you can determine what colleges are going to be within your budget. 

Rank your priorities

Now that you have developed your short-list, you should start making your own rankings. You need to weigh the benefits and the downsides that are associated with all of the colleges you are thinking about. Your needs and wants need to be considered with great consideration. After all, this is where you are probably going to spend the next four years of your life, or even longer! One way that you can do this is by simply making a list of your wants and needs, and then comparing them to your college short-list. You put a tick next to the college for all of the requirements it fulfils. 

Don’t procrastinate

For most institutions, the deadline for filing a regular fall admission is going to be January. However, make sure you double-check this, as there could be some differences depending on the college you are interested in and the course you wish to take. Most experts will advise that you begin the process of application by the beginning of your senior high school year. Make sure you plan plenty of time for getting letters of recommendation, writing essays, taking standardized tests, and visiting the college. 

Don’t only visit the campus once

If you are able to, you should make another trip to the colleges you have applied for once your applications are in. We know that this can be a lot easier said than done depending on where the colleges are located. Nevertheless, if you are able to, taking a trip back to each college can help. During your first visit, you would have gotten a feel for the college and campus. However, your second visit is going to give you the chance to really dig deeper. Why not take a list of detailed questions with you?

Knowing what you want to ask before you go is important, and make sure you do not leave the college with any of your questions unanswered. If you are not going to be able to visit the college and campus for a second time, there are some things that you can do in order to replicate this experience. Most colleges will have virtual tours, and you can spend some time researching online. You should also reach out to the college officials with your detailed questions. This is the next best solution!

Focus on where you see yourself once you finish college

One of the best things you can do when choosing a college is thinking about your endgame. Where do you want to be in four years time? If you can pinpoint a financial outlook and reasonable job, think about what college is going to be able to best help you in terms of reaching these objectives. This is also where comparing tuition costs and loan offers comes into play again. Some schools are more expensive than others! Therefore, you need to think about what is going to be right for you.

It may be worth spending more money if you believe that a college is going to have you better positioned for where you want to be at the end of your studies. On the flip side, you may determine that it makes more sense to opt for one of the more affordable colleges instead. It all depends on your goals and where you want to be, as well as your individual circumstances and whether or not you are going to need monetary help. 

Look deeper into the college departments

When making your decision, you may look at college rankings. They can be helpful, and it is something that you may have even had a look at already. However, don’t forget that you can examine academic prestige on a smaller scale as well. Research the different departments that you are going to be studying in. Perhaps one college is going to be better known for the major you’re studying in, for example? After all, you could opt for one of the best colleges in the United States, yet their department in your specific area of study may not be the best. You need to think about what is going to be right for your study field. 

Look into job connections and opportunities

It is also important to look at the school’s career center and what opportunities there are going to be for you in terms of securing a job once you finish your studies. After all, one of the main reasons people go to college is because they want to set themselves up for a job. This is why it is a good idea to ask about things such as the counselor-to-student ratio, on-campus interview opportunities, and job fairs. Make sure that the resources are going to be enough to give you everything that you need in order to secure a job.

Career centers provide a number of different services, explaining hiring processes, conducting mock interviews, promoting internship leads, employment and salary data, helping students develop soft skills, and much more. You may also want to take a look at the employment rates relating to the college. How many people graduate and then find a job?

Don’t let rejection get you down

It can be very difficult to read a rejection letter, especially if it has come from your number one choice. However, rejection is part of life, so it is important that you do not dwell on this. Some schools are very selective, and their acceptance rates are in single digits. Try not to take it personally. Instead, focus on getting into another college and furthering your future in this sense.

Take care in choosing the right college

As you can see, there are a number of different things that you need to consider when you are choosing the right college for you. If you go through this guide, and use it as a checklist of sorts, it should help you in choosing the right college that is going to help you to begin your career and achieve your dreams.