| Knowing what to look for in a college can be difficult. | | | | class size means more interactivity in the classroom, |
| If you're in the process of selecting a school, then | | | | and this can be extremely important, especially in |
| you've probably already been inundated with material | | | | some majors. A writing major is going to want |
| from prospective colleges -- brochures, catalogs, | | | | individual attention and feedback that they will |
| scholarship information, financial aid information, and a | | | | certainly not get if their Creative Writing 101 class has |
| million other pieces of miscellany. So is it really | | | | 500 students.There are some people who thrive in a |
| possible to wade through these and find the college | | | | large-school environment. In favor of large schools, |
| that is right for you? Absolutely.If you've taken a | | | | they tend to be diverse, attract first-rate professors, |
| standardized test, some of the questions you | | | | and have extensive extracurricular activities. They're |
| answered in the questionnaire that comes with the | | | | just not for everyone, and this should be |
| test were designed to create this informational flood | | | | considered.Look at the makeup of the students -- |
| of college brochures that has made its way to your | | | | academically, ethnically, economically. Diverse schools |
| mailbox. So, in essence, based on answers to | | | | make for a great life-learning experience. They |
| questions, someone has already begun the | | | | provide an atmosphere where you can learn from |
| narrowing-down process for you, but that's only the | | | | each other's differences and similarities. The "real" |
| very tip of the iceberg.So, what now?Well, there are | | | | world is a diverse place, and a diverse school may |
| some very basic, very easy decisions which will begin | | | | just prepare you better for life after graduation.Find |
| to cut away at the seemingly infinite choices in front | | | | out whether your school-of-choice offers |
| of you. For example, do you want to go to an all-girls | | | | job-placement upon graduation. This is a great service |
| or all-boys college? Whether your answer is yes or | | | | that many colleges and universities now provide, and |
| no, you've just eliminated a number of colleges. Do | | | | in today's highly competitive job market, it could |
| you want to go to a small school or a large school, or | | | | make a big difference in your career. Along those |
| do you want something somewhere in between? Do | | | | lines, many schools also offer internships and |
| you have a particular major in mind? Then you can | | | | externships, so if this is important to you, look into |
| easily eliminate all schools that don't offer your major. | | | | it.One definite is that when you're looking for a |
| By asking yourself some of these very basic | | | | college, make sure you're heading for an accredited |
| questions, you can begin to separate the "definitely | | | | school. Make sure that -- should you decide to |
| not!" schools from the "This is a serious possibility" | | | | transfer later on -- credits are easily transferable. Not |
| schools.You can't, of course, choose a college simply | | | | all schools' credits transfer equally.Money is, of |
| by the process of elimination. You have to put some | | | | course, important in the college decision, but it should |
| serious thought into what you do want. One of the | | | | not be all-important. Financial aid is available, and the |
| first things to consider when deciding what to look | | | | bottom line is that you should go to the school that |
| for in a college is the academic caliber of the schools. | | | | is best for you. You just have to consider cost. Does |
| If you're at the top of your class, chances are you're | | | | the college have a work study program? Do they |
| not going to be looking into community college. You | | | | have good scholarship programs -- maybe even one |
| get my drift. Look at schools in the academic range | | | | for your prospective major? Are there jobs readily |
| you're seeking, but don't be afraid to reach. The | | | | available in the town? Do you mind having student |
| absolute worst that can happen is that you will be | | | | loans after graduation? These are all things to |
| rejected by a particular school, and as hard as | | | | consider but it doesn't necessarily bump them to the |
| rejection can be, it is not the end of the world.You're | | | | top of your list of considerations. Decide where you |
| going to want to look at location, also. Do you want | | | | want to go first, and then consider how best to pay |
| to stay close to home, or do you want to head off | | | | for it.One small article cannot possibly tell you |
| on a great adventure somewhere far, far away? The | | | | everything to look for in a college. There are many |
| sky is the limit when looking at location. If you want | | | | factors involved, and ultimately, different things are |
| to study overseas, by all means look into colleges | | | | right for different people. This is a very personal |
| overseas. Consider that the college you choose may | | | | decision. Consider it carefully, and weigh your options. |
| well be your home for the next few years, so | | | | Decide what you're willing to compromise, and what |
| location is easily as important as academics. Do you | | | | you absolutely must have in a college. There is no |
| like a big city environment? Maybe a college in the | | | | black and white when it comes to picking a school. |
| heart of New York City is for you. But if subways | | | | Most of it is research. Much of it is intuition. Some of |
| and crowds make you cringe, you need to consider | | | | it is just chance. In the end, you'll know what's right |
| that when looking at city schools.Look for a good | | | | for you.Lisa is an author on which is a site for |
| teacher to student ratio. Unless you're comfortable | | | | Writers. |
| being a number, then this is very important. Smaller | | | | |