What Should I Think About When Deciding where to Go to College?
Choosing a college or university isn’t an easy decision. There are many questions to answer and many factors that will influence your decision. Thankfully, scholarships and other financial aid options are so widely available that the cost of attending college should be the least of your worries.
The location of your school is probably one of the most important factors when making a selection. Are you eager to live as far away from home as possible or would you rather be just a stone’s throw away from home and hearth? If you are adventurous and desire independence, a college in another state may be for you. If you’d rather be close to your loved ones, a school closer to home would be wise, at least for the first semester. As you get used to the idea of being away from home, a transfer is an easy change. This is one area where the issue of money may come into play. Can you or your family afford the travel expenses that would be incurred in order to visit home? Is your college close enough that you can drive home, or must you fly?
The academic and extracurricular programs of your preferred colleges will also come into play. If you are an athlete, you’re going to want to attend a school with a strong record of wins in your sport. For instance, basketball players will want to consider schools such as the University of Connecticut or Indiana. Academics are also important. Those interested in professions such as law or medicine will want to try Ivy League schools such as Yale or Harvard. But you should not overlook other lesser-known colleges that are just as prestigious but have less vigorous entry procedures, such as Vanderbilt University. Students interested in agriculture should consider schools such as Auburn or Texas A&M. You should find a school that has the best programs for your interests.
Campus size is also a consideration. Is the student body a large one? What are you most comfortable with? A large number of students could mean that you are just a face in the crowd. Professors might not remember your name. Campus buildings might also be large and far apart. There could be many miles between them, and transportation among them might be an issue. However, you may enjoy the diversity and hustle and bustle of such a large campus. Smaller colleges have more close-knit communities of students. If you would rather be more of an individual among the other students, this might be better for you.
Different types of housing should be considered as well. Much of the time, entering freshmen are required to live on campus in the dorms. These aren’t your mother’s dorm rooms however. Many colleges and universities offer a different variety of dormitory housing. Union University, for example, has apartment-like dorms. Each apartment contains a shared living area surrounded by four or five small bedrooms (each about 5’ x 10’ in size) and a shared bathroom. Lucky juniors and seniors might be able to secure an apartment that has a small kitchenette instead of a fifth bedroom.
There are other considerations that should be made when selecting a school. What types of activities are available on campus or in the surrounding community? Does the school or community accommodate your religious convictions? What types of sororities or fraternities are you interested in? While there are many questions to ask yourself, don’t stress too much over the decision. While it will most likely impact the rest of your life, you should just trust your instincts because they will set you on the right path.
