The College Years

Finding the right college or university for you can seem like a daunting task. You’re planning on spending a lot of time and money at this school—understandably you want to make the right choice!

1. Location of College or University? Where the college is physically located can have an impact on your overall college experience. Do you like the city life? Or are you more of a rural/outdoorsy person? Do you like more rain or snow? Will you be close to family or trying it solo? Give location some consideration before you decide on a school.
2. Major/Course of Study? Make sure the college you’re thinking about actually has a decent program—or your program at all! If you are planning on starting with generals, make a list of majors you MIGHT like to study—then check those with the school you are looking at! It can save you extra transfer headaches or lost credit hours later!
3. Public College or Private College? This will have an effect on not only the general “feel” of the campus, but also the amount of money! Yes, private institutions are more expensive, but as a result they have higher department and activities budgets—not only will you see your money in the classroom, but in all the programs and activities offered to you! Public institutions often offer the same quality of instruction in the classroom, and you’ll have plenty of activities to choose from, they just won’t be as snazzy. In general, students at public colleges tend to be more “down-to-earth” than students at private colleges. My theory is this is because the students themselves, rather than parents, are paying for more of their education compared to private school students.
4. 2-year College or 4-year College? The answer here may depend on how you answered the above questions. A 2-year college is great for students who aren’t yet sure what they are going to study, who are looking to save money, who are looking to stay close to home at first, and so on. 2-year colleges (or community colleges) are especially suited for students that prefer smaller class-sizes and would like a less massive transition from high school to college. A 4-year college or university is great for students who have a better idea what they want to study and don’t want to mess with transferring to another school. 4-year schools also tend to have access to more resources and money than a 2-year school. You will have to adjust to larger class sizes and oftentimes more students, but that can be a good thing for some students.
5. How does it feel? You’re planning on spending a lot of time and money at this college, make sure it feels like home! I’m a big believer in finding the right “fit.” Check this out by doing a campus tour and talking to current students and staff. If you aren’t able to physically go to the campus, make sure you do an online virtual tour and definitely talk to someone on the phone!

What are you looking for in a college? If you’ve got any great college search stories, please share them!

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