Narrowing Your College Search
Financial aid, tuition, majors, campus life, & other questions
Choosing a college is a big decision. Here are some questions to ask yourself honestly that might help your decision easier.
The college search process can feel overwhelming. This may be the biggest decision you've made in your life so far. There's so much to think about: financial aid, college tuition cost, student loans, college majors, and what kind of academic and social life you can expect on campus. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you narrow your college and university search and decide where to go to college. Answer these questions honestly, and put some thought into them. (And be sure to check out some poor reasons to choice a college).
1) Basic questions about your wants and needs.
- The first thing to ask yourself: in your heart, where do you really want to go to college?
- Ask yourself why this is what you want. Are these good reasons?
- Second, ask yourself: logically, what is the best choice for you?
- Ask yourself why you feel that way. Are these good reasons?
If one school offers what you most want and what you most need, you're in luck. If not, try ranking your choices in a "want" list and a "need" list. Look seriously at what schools are near the top of both lists.
2) Financial questions.
- Realistically, how much is each school going to cost you? Figure in all expenses: college tuition cost, room and board, books, computer, and various living expenses. Will you need a vehicle, and if so, how much will gas, insurance, maintenance, and parking cost?
- How much will each school cost your family? Will they have to make sacrifices for your education?
- How much financial aid is available? Is this financial aid you can count on for the entire time you are in school? What about scholarships?
- How far in debt will each college make you? How many student loans will you need to take? Estimate a total amount and figure out about how much you'll have to pay each month after college. Don't forget the interest!
- How many hours a week will you have to work to help pay for the costs of each school?
- Is each college worth the price tag? If your first choice costs $30,000 a year and your second costs $10,000, is the first choice worth an extra $80,000 over four years?
3) Academic questions.
- Does each college offer the kind of majors that interest you?
- If you have a particular major in mind, how good is that department at each school?
- How much is teaching valued at each school? Ask students at each school what they think. Also, find out what the faculty/student ratio is at each school, and what percentage of classes are taught be professors (as opposed to teaching assistants or instructors).
- Does each school offer programs that could enhance your school experience, like an honors program or a program for first generation college students?
- What is the academic culture like at each school? Will your courses be academically challenging? Is studying valued more than partying? Are students competitive with each other for good grades? How academically motivated are other students?
- What is the retention rate of each school? Retention refers to the number of students who don't choice to leave that school without a degree. A low retention rate is not a good sign.
- What kinds of academic advising and study skills assistance are available to students?
- Does each school have a good college library and ample technology in the classrooms?
4) Fit questions.
- Are you comfortable with the size of the school? Why?
- Are there social activities and organizations on campus that appeal to you?
- Are fraternities and sororities a big part of campus life?
- What kind of political atmosphere is at each school? Does the school attract conservative students, or liberal ones, or both? Do school policies reflect a conservative or liberal perspective? Are students political aware and involved in political activism?
- How religious are students at each school? If you are religious, are there religious organizations that appeal to you on campus, and ample opportunities to worship?
- How much diversity is on campus? Is there racial, socioeconomic, and religious diversity? Do homosexual students feel welcome on campus?
- Are any of your choices commuter campuses, where many students either commute or go home every weekend?
- Are students friendly? Are there a lot of cliques on campus?
5) Geography questions
- How often will you be able to go home? Not often enough? Too often?
- Will it be time consuming and costly to get home?
- Are you comfortable with the geographic setting of the school (urban campus, small town campus, etc.)?
- What are the people like who live in the town or area surrounding each school?
- What will it be like to live in the town or area surrounding each college? Fun? Too much fun? Boring? Extremely uncomfortable? A welcome challenge? If you are a racial minority, religious minority, or homosexual, will you feel comfortable living there?
- What is the climate like? Frigid? Humid? Just right?
- Are there geographic "bonuses" nearby, like beautiful beaches or spectacular mountains? (And can you resist the urge to cut class to surf or ski?)
This decision can be a stressful one, but also an exciting opportunity to make an important decision. Good luck! And if you have any questions or suggestions about narrowing your college choice, join the discussion!
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The copyright of the article Narrowing Your College Search in Campus Life is owned by Naomi Rockler-Gladen. Permission to republish Narrowing Your College Search must be granted by the author in writing.
