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What is the best plan for college?

What is the best plan for college?

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Doc’s Answer

TOP 5 FACTORS TO CONSIDER
WHEN CHOOSING A COLLEGE

1️⃣ COLLEGE MAJOR
This can be a hard enough decision to make in itself. If you haven’t picked a major yet – don’t worry – you are definitely not alone. This category may be lower on your list of priorities, but it’s still worth taking a look at a school’s programs and available majors and minors. See if they offer classes in areas that pique your interest – college is a great place to experiment with different fields and most will not require you to declare a major until the end of your sophomore year. On the other hand, if you do know your major then narrowing down schools will be much simpler. Consider colleges that are well known for your major or have a large number of students who graduate with the degree you hope to receive. Niche is a great resource for finding college rankings based on major and a number of other categories as well.

2️⃣ COLLEGE COST
The cost of higher education can have long-term implications on your life, so it’s an important factor to consider when choosing a college. Find out up front how much tuition and fees will cost and whether there are different rates for in-state and out-of-state students. At the same time, don’t let the sticker price of your dream college scare you. Ask about financial aid opportunities and scholarships. Many times, they can bring the tuition cost down to a reasonable level. Wait until you’ve received a financial aid/scholarship decision from a school. Then consider your ability to pay the balance and how much debt you’re willing to accumulate. Keep in mind that the cost of a college is NOT indicative of its quality. Many state colleges provide an exceptional education at a fraction of the cost of private schools.

3️⃣ COLLEGE LOCATION
The location of the prospective college can influence your choice and fluctuate the costs. Think about how far you want to be from home. For example, if you plan to be a student resident, you can ask yourself if you feel comfortable living away from your hometown for long periods of time. If you want to be a commuter student, then you can consider how far you can drive to travel to and from class. The tuition costs may also be different if you're a student attending a college in a different state from where you permanently live.

4️⃣ COLLEGE FIT
By now you should have an idea of what kind of learning environment is the most effective for you. If you prefer one-on-one, you’ll want to select a school with smaller class sizes and a student-to-faculty ratio that will allow for professors to give each student individualized attention and help. If you’re a hands-on learner, you should look for colleges with state of the art labs, technology, or other resources in your field. Some schools offer more flexible curriculums that allow their students to sample a range of courses, while others are more rigid and offer little deviation from the courses outlined for your major. Take the time to research some of the professors as well. Highly educated teachers with real-world expertise in their area of study make for more interesting classes and a better educational experience overall.

5️⃣ GRADUATION RATE
At the end of the day, college is merely a stepping stone on the way to a brighter future. Consider each school’s graduation rate. If only a small portion of students are completing the full program, there’s bound to be good reason. Any reputable university’s website should provide their graduation rate, the percentage of students who are working in their field of study and those who had a job within six months of graduation. College is expensive and you should come out of it feeling like it was worth your while. If you’ve chosen a more competitive career path, you may want to prioritize colleges with an abundance of career and internship resources for their students. Even if you think you know what school you want to apply to, take a moment to prioritize this list of factors from what you feel is the most important to the least. Maybe social life will make or break your college experience more than location or maybe you’re determined to receive an athletic scholarship to one of the top five schools for football. If you’ve already been accepted to several schools, it’s also helpful to consider these factors when making your final decision. If you’re just beginning to think about which schools you want to apply to, prioritizing any one of these elements can help narrow your search to the colleges you want to visit (check out our post on how to make the most of your college tours). The more thought you put into selecting your college, the more you’ll enjoy the next four years.
Thank you comment icon Loved reading this, thanks! Jamirica
Thank you comment icon Thank You Chinyere. Help one another. There’s no time like the present, and no present like the time. Doc Frick
Thank you comment icon Wow, love that Doc Frick, very true!! (Had to said it caught my mind of fact) Dr H
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Dr’s Answer

Jamirica, the best plan for college is like creating the ultimate playlist: a mix of fun, focus, and a little bit of everything! 🎶📚 Here’s a “college playlist” to get you started wihh my humor cause that's me!

1. Start with the Basics (Freshman Year) – Think of this as finding your groove. Take a mix of core courses, join a couple of clubs, and start making friends. You’ll want a solid foundation to build your degree on—and maybe even learn a few dance moves along the way (trust me, it’ll come in handy at parties). 💃


2. Find Your Passion (Sophomore Year) – Now that you’ve got the basics down, explore your major options. Maybe you’ll discover that you’re secretly into something you never expected. Like, “I’m studying biology, but wait—computer science has cool robots!” 🤖✨


3. Internships and Networking (Junior Year) – Time to level up! Look for internships and start networking with professors and professionals. They might know someone who can help you get that dream job later. And hey, knowing people is half the battle—just ask your future self! 💼👩‍💻


4. Senior Year: The Final Countdown – You’ve made it! Now it’s time to apply for jobs, do some serious studying for final exams, and cross your fingers that your graduation speech doesn’t involve tripping over the microphone cord. 🎤🎓



Most importantly, remember to enjoy the ride—because it’s your journey, and you’ll probably look back and laugh at some of the decisions you made along the way (like that time you tried to pull an all-nighter with a coffee the size of your head). ☕😂

So, take it one step at a time, have some fun, and remember: you’ve got this!
Thank you comment icon Dr, thank you! Jamirica
Thank you comment icon Always welcome, stay awesome and always have fun. Dr H
Thank you comment icon Thank you Dr h you are truly a blessing to me Jamirica
Thank you comment icon Aww, Jamirica, you're too kind! If I'm a blessing, you're the shining star making everything brighter! 🌟 😇 Dr H
Thank you comment icon Aww , thank you Dr H your the true shining star Jamirica
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Chinyere’s Answer

Hello Jamirica!

That’s a great question, and the best plan for college really depends on your goals, interests, and where you are right now. Here’s a simple step-by-step plan to help you get started:

1. Identify Your Goals
- What are you passionate about? Think about subjects or activities you love.
- What career do you want? If you’re unsure, that’s okay! Consider careers that match your interests, or explore different options through electives or job shadowing.

2. Choose the Right High School Classes
- Take classes that challenge you, especially in core subjects like math, science, English, and history.
- If possible, enroll in AP, honors, or dual-enrollment courses to earn college credits early.

3. Research Colleges
- Look for schools that offer strong programs in your field of interest.
- Consider factors like location, size, campus life, cost, and scholarships.

4. Plan Financially
- Apply for scholarships and grants—start early because deadlines can sneak up on you.
- Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to see what financial aid you qualify for.
- Look into work-study programs or part-time jobs to help cover costs.

5. Prepare Your College Applications
- Focus on getting good grades and participating in extracurricular activities, like clubs, sports, volunteering, or part-time work.
- Write a strong personal statement or essay that highlights your unique experiences and goals.
- Gather letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or mentors.

6. Build a Support System
- Talk to your guidance counselor regularly—they can help with college applications, scholarship opportunities, and career advice.
- Connect with mentors like teachers, coaches, or family members who can guide and support you.

7. Stay Flexible and Open-Minded
- Your interests might change—and that’s okay! Many students switch majors in college.
- Be open to new experiences, internships, and opportunities that can help you discover what you’re truly passionate about.

You’re already on the right track just by asking this question, Jamirica! Keep exploring, stay curious, and you’ll find the college path that’s perfect for you.

Best wishes!
Thank you comment icon Thank you, Chinyere for the advice. Jamirica
Thank you comment icon You're welcome! Chinyere Okafor
Thank you comment icon Thank you again for advice Jamirica
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Emily’s Answer

Hello Jamirica,

Creating the best plan for college depends a lot on your goals, interests, and what you want to get out of your experience. However, there are key steps and strategies you can follow to set yourself up for success and make the most out of your time in college.

1. Clarify Your Goals:
What do you want to learn? Do you have a clear career path in mind? If you're undecided at the moment, that's still okay- college is a great time to explore different subjects. Consider your long-term goals as well. Do you want to run your own creative business? Work in a corporate environment? Understanding where you want to go after college will help you choose the right major, courses, and extracurricular activities.

2. Choose the Right College and Major:
Look at schools that offer strong programs that you would want to do. Some schools may even have unique programs for creative entrepreneurs or interdisciplinary studies that allow you to blend two majors if you want to do both majors of your choice at the same time. For your chosen fields, make sure that the programs are well-regarded. Research faculty, internship opportunities, and the strength of alumni networks.

3. Create an Academic Plan:
In your first year, take a variety of courses to explore your interests before narrowing your focus. You might discover new passions or areas of interest that you haven't thought about. If you want to balance two different choices, it will still be ideal. Start planning for internships or part-time jobs early on as well.

4. Network and Build Relationships
Building relationships with your professors can open doors for research opportunities, internships, and job recommendations. Seek out mentors who are experienced within your majors of choice. Participate in clubs, student organizations, and networking events. These can be great opportunities to meet industry professionals and gain insight into what companies are looking for in new hires.

5. Stay Organized and Focused:
College life can get overwhelming with coursework, extracurriculars, and social activities. Use tools like planners or apps (Notion, Trello) to stay on top of deadlines and responsibilities. Create a list of goals for each semester, from academic achievements to career-related milestones (like landing an internship). Keep track of how you're progressing and making adjustments when needed.

6. Balance Work, Study, and Life
Don't forget your mental and physical health. College is a time of stress and growth, so make sure to balance work and rest. Try to schedule regular breaks, exercise, and social activities to recharge. Surround yourself with supportive friends, peers, and mentors who understand your goals and can help you stay motivated.

Your plan will evolve as you grow, but having a clear focus on combining your ambitions can set you up for fulfilling and balanced college experience. I hope this helps you out, and I wish you the best in your endeavors!

Best Regards,
Emily Garcia
Thank you comment icon I appreciate your support, Emily Jamirica
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Sneha’s Answer

Hi Jamirica! The best plan for college is to stay organized, manage your time well, and set clear goals. Start by choosing a major that aligns with your passions and career aspirations, but remain open to exploring new subjects. Get involved in campus activities and internships to build skills and network with peers and professionals. Remember to take care of your mental and physical health, and seek support when needed. Embrace the journey with an open mind and a positive attitude, as college is a time for growth, learning, and discovering your potential. College was the best 4 years of my life, it is what you make of it! Stay true to yourself and you will go far, good luck!
Thank you comment icon You rock! This advice is very helpful. Jamirica
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Rebecca’s Answer

Thank you for your question. Many students have similar question. Different college have strength in different subjects. Firstly, you have to find out what careers you have interest. Then, you can look for the colleges which are good at the relevant subjects.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest, e.g. your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers.
E.g. If you like music, would you like to be a singer, musician, musical artist, music producer, music composer, etc.
If you have interest in maths, would you to be an engineer, accountant, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc.
2 . Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Thank you comment icon Thank you, this is really helpful. Jamirica
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Anna’s Answer

College is an amazing opportunity to find areas that interest you. You can take a broad range of classes, join clubs, make great friends that can help you throughout your life.
There are many different college programs, liberal arts programs teach you critical thinking, writing, and the fundamentals of how to learn and adapt in our new economy. There are also programs that are more about specific to learning programming, or finance etc. It matters if you know what you need to do the job you have in mind.
I would say that in our new economy of AI, Machine learning, incredibly fast change - being able to think, learn and analyze information will be key!

Good luck!
Thank you comment icon Thank you for the advice. Jamirica
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Tiera’s Answer

First, research schools and programs that fit your goals, budget, and lifestyle. Second, complete the application process, including financial aid forms like FAFSA. Third, prepare for the transition by planning housing, class schedules, and support resources.
Keep it simply 💯
You got this!
Thank you comment icon I'm excited to put your great advice to good use! Jamirica
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