| <!-- @page { margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: | | | | the state of New York or have researched the best |
| 0.21cm } A:link { color: #0000ff } --> | | | | colleges for Electrical Engineering, not many students |
| Should I go to Mom's or Dad's alma mater…attend | | | | would know that Copper Union is one of the best |
| the institution that my brother or sister attend? | | | | institutions for this specialty. |
| Should I go where I have the best college admission | | | | Much like basing college decisions on a field of study, |
| chances or where my college counselor suggests? | | | | a prospective student should also evaluate what area |
| Maybe I will just go to the school of my favorite | | | | of the country they would like to work and live. |
| sports team. | | | | Again, college admissions consultants would argue |
| When selecting a school and thinking about your | | | | that this analysis can also produce college choices a |
| college admissions application, the answer of where, | | | | student may not have expected. Using the example |
| can actually be simplified by keeping your long term | | | | once again of universities that garner national |
| goals after college at the heart of your decision. | | | | recognition and are looked upon positively by any |
| A college admissions consultant might steer you to | | | | employer, such as Stanford and MIT, one could lose |
| consider some other questions. Questions such as; In | | | | sight of regional colleges that carry as much weight |
| what field would I like to work? or In what area of | | | | within a certain area of the country as these |
| the country would I like to live and work? should be | | | | institutions. For a graduate that wants to work and |
| key drivers in your decision process. Once you have | | | | live in Houston or San Antonio, you cannot do much |
| an idea of what field you would like to work in, | | | | better than a degree from Texas A&M |
| select an institution that has a strong curriculum and | | | | University. The university's reputation and alumni |
| reputation in that particular field of study. Whether it | | | | network in these cities has a tremendous impact |
| be an engineering specialty, liberal arts or hotel & | | | | graduate opportunities. |
| restaurant management, consider a university or | | | | Combining your desired academic specialty with the |
| college that has a history of focus and dedication in | | | | region of the country you prefer to live, will greatly |
| that academic concentration. This will ensure you not | | | | enhance your decision making process. It will help to |
| only maximize your learning potential in this field, but | | | | focus your efforts, time and money on the |
| also improve your value to potential employers after | | | | institutions that align with your academic, career and |
| graduation. College counselors will tell you there are | | | | life goals. As a 17 or 18-year old student, it may be |
| some schools such as the US Military Academy or | | | | tough to decide what you really want to do and |
| Harvard whose reputation outstrips any specific | | | | where in the world you want to grow your career. |
| major and whose graduates are valued no matter | | | | However, if you can work with your college |
| what degree they obtain. However, not everyone | | | | counselors to formulate your long-term goals, and |
| can get into these schools. When you drill down to a | | | | use these goals to determine which colleges or |
| specific academic specialty, you will be surprised by | | | | universities you will apply to, the dividends will be |
| the options that open up at colleges you may never | | | | realized for years to come. |
| have heard of. As an example, unless you are from | | | | |