How can you find colleges that match your needs? First identify your
priorities. Next, carefully research the characteristics of a range of
schools. Finally, match the two. Here are some college characteristics
that you should consider.
Size of the student body
Size will affect many of your opportunities and experiences, including:
? Range of academic major offered.
? Extracurricular possibilities.
? Amount of personal attention that you will receive.
? Number of books in the library.
When considering the size, be very sure to look beyond the raw
number of student attending. For example you are considering a small
department within a large school. Investigate, not just the number of
faculty, but also how accessible faculty members are to students.
Location:
Do you want to visit home frequently, or do you see this as a time to
experience a new part of the country? Perhaps you like an urban
environment with access to museums, ethnic food, or major league ball
games. Or maybe you hope for easy access to the outdoors or
peacefulness of a small town.
Academic Programs:
If you know what you want to study, research reputations of academic
departments by talking to people in the fields that interest you. If you
are undecided, relax and pick an academically balanced institution that
offers a range of majors and programs. Most colleges offer counseling
to help you find a focus.
In considering academic programs, look for special opportunities and
pick a school that offer many possibilities.
Campus Life:
Consider what your college life will be like beyond the classroom, Aim
for a balance between academics, activities and social life. Before
choosing a college, learn the answers to these questions:
What extracurricular activities, athletics, activities and special interest
groups are available?
? Does the community around the college offer interesting outlets
for students?
? Are students welcomed by the community?
? Is there ethnic or religious in which to take part?
? How do fraternities and sororities influence campus life?
? Is housing guaranteed?
? How are dorms assigned?
Cost:
Today's college price tag makes cost an important consideration for
most students. At the same time, virtually all college work to ensure
that academically qualified students from very economic circumstance
can find financial aid that allows them to attend. While considering
cost, look beyond the price tag.
Diversity:
Explore what you might gain from a diverse student body. Think about
the geographic, ethnic, racial, and religious diversity of the students as
a means of learning more about the world. Investigate what kinds of
student organizations or other groups with ethnic or religious
foundations are active and visible on campus.
Retention and graduation rates:
One of the best ways to measure a school's quality and the satisfaction
of its students is to learn the percent of students who return after the
first year and the percent of entering students who remain to graduate.
Comparatively good retention and graduation rates are indicators that
responsible academic, social and financial support systems exist for
most students.
For more information visit http://www.collegeboard.com
- Compiled by Satyam K Bhuyan, Ames, Iowa, USA from various sources.
- Log in to post comments