What is a good College to pick



The first question you need to ask yourself is what career path you want to take. For example, if you wanted to be a teacher you would look up colleges with great teaching programs. If you’re not sure at least know the university has a program or major(s) you are interested in.


Secondly: location

Do you want to go far from home? Stay local? Somewhere in between? Also, do you want to be in the heat or cold? Make sure you visit colleges - some of the schools I looked at were great, but just not for me (too quiet, too country-like). Also, taking into consideration the living situation, some dorms I saw were just too small for me, and personally, I didn’t want community bathrooms and showers.

Third: Size! There are small, medium, and huge schools. Where will you fit in best? Where do you think you will perform the best academically?

College is a great opportunity, you have the chance to live the next four where/how you want. Make sure the school has something to offer YOU!

There are many things that you can consider when planning on choosing the college that is best for you. First and foremost, looking into the degree paths that interest you are provided at the school is important. You don't need to know exactly what you want to do, but have an idea of some things you would like to do!

I was told on a tour once that you can make a big school small, but you can't make a small school big. The size of the school definitely played a factor in my decision-making for me and that quote was always at the forefront of my mind. I find that larger schools tend to have more resources in terms of research and facilities whereas smaller schools allow you to have better working relationships with your professors and peers.

Location is always a key to consider. The United States and the rest of the world have schools in so many cool and interesting places. You could go far away or stay close to home! Know what feels right for you and if you're able to, tour the school! Get a feel of the campus and see what you do or don't like about it

Many factors apply to which college is best for you. Researching colleges that both contain your major of interest, as well as those that are highly accredited in your interest, is important. Choosing a school that has little opportunity for your major might not help you achieve what you want. Finding a college that has the best resources for your interests will help you stay determined and passionate. It is also important to choose a school based on your financial standing. 

Private and highly accredited schools tend to be more expensive, but applying for scholarships, grants, aid, and FAFSA can help you achieve this if that is your wish. Ultimately, finding the school that fits your academic interest, and financial requirements and even one that is in your wished location will be important in keeping you motivated. Me, I knew I wanted to major in kinesiology, live somewhere different than where I grew up, and find scholarships to help afford school. Of the schools I applied to, I attend the one that best fits these requirements. It definitely helped to know some students from my high school, but they were never my close friends, and yet I got to know them and love them. I chose a school that has a great department for my major, as well as one that would provide me with new experiences to help me learn what I liked and disliked. 

Everything to help you decide on a school is at your fingertips, unique and personal to you. It doesn’t matter how impressive the school is because you may end up hating the pressure. But if that’s one of your passions, I say go for it! Visiting the campuses, if able, is a great way to get a feel for how your next years would be. Researching your major and course requirements at each school is also great, giving you a glimpse into how your academic demands will feel. 

Looking into clubs, programs, jobs, non-academic activities, and even the food around your school is super helpful as well. In the end, creating pro-con lists will help you achieve your passions and keep you happiest during an academically demanding time.

I recommend the following next steps:

1. Research

2. Pro-con list

3. Visit

4. Reach out to faculty

5. Look into student life on and off campus