1. Cost of Attendance
We all know that attending college is not cheap but some colleges are more expensive than others. When choosing a college, it is important to consider the cost of tuition, books, housing, and other expenses that may arise. It is ultimately up to you how much you want to pay for school. If you do not want to spend a lot of time after you are completed with college paying off student loans, then maybe a cheaper college would be right for you.
2. Location
It is important to think about where you want to attend college. Some students want to move far away from home and have more of a sense of independence while others are not comfortable with moving long distance. It is also a good idea to learn more about the community surrounding the college. Is it located in a major city or in a more rural area? If you are not sure about whether the location is right for you, I suggest you take a campus tour and afterwards explore the areas surrounding campus.
3. Scholarship Opportunities
Some colleges are more generous than others when it comes to handing out scholarships to students. Many colleges offer merit based scholarships that will give you a certain amount of money that corresponds to your SAT/ACT score and high school GPA. Check out the websites of schools you are interested in and compare the scholarship opportunities that each college has for you.
4. Majors Offered
When beginning college, it is okay if you have not yet decided what you would like to major in. Some colleges specialize in certain areas so if you know you want to go into medicine, look for colleges that have great medical programs. Look at the list of majors offered at the schools you are interested in and choose a few that seem the most fitting for you. Then do a little more research to find out what kinds of classes and hands-on experience that college offers for those major programs.
5. Extracurricular Activities
If you are a person who would like to become involved on campus, you should research the different extracurricular activities that the college offers. For example, you may want to look into the possibility of playing college sports if you are an exceptional athlete. Also, many colleges offer a wide range of clubs so it is likely you will find something that fits your interests.
6. Student to Faculty Ratio
The student to faculty ratio is important to know before choosing a college. Some colleges with a high student to faculty ratio may mean you will be in a lot of lecture halls with hundreds of other students. If a school has a smaller student to faculty ratio you may be able to have more one-on-one time with your professors if that is something that would benefit you.
7. School size
School size is something you should definitely think about when picking a college. Smaller schools have less students, smaller class sizes, and a greater sense of community. Larger schools may offer a more diverse student body and better class options.
8. Admission Rate
On a school’s website you will find information on the percentage of students that the school admits. Colleges with a lower admission rates usually have higher averages for SAT or ACT scores. You should look into the likelihood of your acceptance to a college before getting your heart set on a college that might not admit you based on your performance in high school.
9. Housing Options
Chances are, the college you choose will be your home for the next four years. You must see if the college you choose has requirements for students to live on campus. If you are currently living near a college you are interested in you should look into the possibility of commuting to school every day. If you plan to live on campus, you should research the options that are offered for housing such as dorms or apartments.
10. Ability to get a job right out of school
The main goal of going to college is to start a career in the field you have been studying. It’s important to look at the statistics regarding the success of students who have attended a college in finding a job when they graduate. This will give you a better idea of whether or not you’ll be able to get a job when you’re done with college.
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