Free School Selection Planning Information for Students

When you search for a college, it may be tempting to choose the campus with the prettiest buildings or the most fun student activities, but a lot more has to go into the consideration process than these items. For instance, can you afford to go to this particular school? Do they offer the major program you want to enter? Before you get excited about a particular university, here are a few things to consider.

Finances

How much you are willing to or can spend on college is a very important factor to take into consideration in the college selection process. While you should never let the price of a school discourage you from applying, you do need to think about that massive tuition bill. Have your parents been saving in a college fund for you? Have you been saving money from a part-time job? Will you qualify for a grant or scholarship? Are you willing to take out a loan to go to this campus?

You see, there are many factors to consider that go beyond whether or not you can afford it. Be sure to discuss all of your options with your parents and a counselor before making any final decisions.

Field of Study

One thing that’s really important when you’re evaluating a college is whether or not it offers the major you would like to study. While most four-year colleges offer most majors, there are some specializations within majors that not all colleges offer. If you want to be a creative writing major, for instance, make sure the college offers this emphasis within the English department. If not, move on! You need to also be aware of enrollment patterns at the university. For instance, if some majors are impacted, you will need to either select a different major or go to school elsewhere.

Where Will You Live?

This factor is twofold. You need to decide where you will live, as in location and where you will live, as in housing. Let’s look at location first. Are you willing to go to school out of state? If you are willing or are you ready to accept being so far away from home? What about being in an area with different weather? Or what about being in a place that has less to offer socially than where you live? If you’re used to being a hop, skip and a jump away from theme parks and big malls, then going to college in a rural area may not be what you’re looking for.

Now what about housing? Will you live in the dorms on campus? Will you have roommates? Will you live in an off-campus apartment? Will you remain living with your parents? All of what you can and are willing to do needs to come into play when considering different colleges to be added to your shortlist.

Other Things to Consider

The above items are probably the most important areas you need to consider when choosing colleges to apply to. However, there are many other things you need to think about that could influence your decision. Note: No single items from this list should be the reason why you do not go to that school. However, they may help you lean one way or the other in terms of whether or not a certain campus is right for you.

  • How does the college rank among others in the country?
  • What is the student/teacher ratio?
  • What is the campus like?
  • What credentials do the professors have?
  • What resources are available on campus?
  • What do your parents think?

And there you have it! With careful consideration of these factors, you should be able to select a college that suits your needs and makes you happy.