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How do I decide where to go to college?
I’m a current HS junior and have always been a really good student (all A’s). I know that I want to get a college education, and am really considering going into pediatric OT. I just don’t think I’m ready to go away from home. I’ve looked at some good schools within an hour or so from home, but don’t think I want to live away from home (and go broke since I’ll be paying for college). My parents have been really supportive and don’t care at all where I go, but just want me to get an education. Is it worth all the stress to get a perfect SAT score and make my anxiety way worse to continue looking at colleges, or should I just stick to the local community college where I could live at home, work part time and save up for two years, then go off to college?
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7 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer, TRIO Program Administrator
1009
Answers
Updated
Paul’s Answer
One thing that I have always told students is become engaged in what is commonly called "Campus Navigation," in order to determine which college or university is the best fit form them.
Many colleges have campus tour programs, which provides an initial introduction to the college campus, but I recommend that all students go well beyond the campus tour.
I recommend getting a map of the campus and going for several visit. Visiting various location on campus can help, if you need assistance or feel lost when you arrive.
Many college professors and academic advisors have office hours, which enables current and future students to visit, so they can discuss their future college major or the possible path they should take towards attaining a degree.
Many campuses have college employment offices, which provide information and possible opportunities for employment and future internships.
I also recommend visiting the library, to check out where the best study locations are on the campus.
Checking out the locations of your future classes and becoming well acquainted with campus building can help avoid any issues when you arrive.
Find the buildings which house the various departments, like financial aid, admissions, college security and parking, student life and student services, and campus housing, can also help.
The more knowledge you have of the college campus, and where resources can be found, the less apprehensive and confused you will be when you arrive on the campus to start your college experience.
Many colleges have campus tour programs, which provides an initial introduction to the college campus, but I recommend that all students go well beyond the campus tour.
I recommend getting a map of the campus and going for several visit. Visiting various location on campus can help, if you need assistance or feel lost when you arrive.
Many college professors and academic advisors have office hours, which enables current and future students to visit, so they can discuss their future college major or the possible path they should take towards attaining a degree.
Many campuses have college employment offices, which provide information and possible opportunities for employment and future internships.
I also recommend visiting the library, to check out where the best study locations are on the campus.
Checking out the locations of your future classes and becoming well acquainted with campus building can help avoid any issues when you arrive.
Find the buildings which house the various departments, like financial aid, admissions, college security and parking, student life and student services, and campus housing, can also help.
The more knowledge you have of the college campus, and where resources can be found, the less apprehensive and confused you will be when you arrive on the campus to start your college experience.
Updated
Morgan’s Answer
Deciding where to go to college is easier when you break it into a few key factors: think about what kind of academic environment fits you, what subjects or majors you want to explore, and what campus life you’d enjoy day to day. Consider location, school size, and culture, along with practical issues like cost and financial aid by focusing on the net price rather than the sticker price. Look at outcomes such as graduation rates, career support, and what graduates do after college. After narrowing your options, trust your instincts about where you can picture yourself growing and succeeding, remembering that many paths lead to success and the college you choose does not define your entire future.
Updated
Roel’s Answer
Start by considering what kind of studies or careers you might enjoy. Once you have an idea, think about which part of the country you'd like to attend college in. Then, look for schools that have strong programs in your chosen field. By doing this research, you'll get a clear picture of your best options. This journey can be exciting, and you're taking the right steps toward a bright future!
Updated
Roel’s Answer
It's wonderful that you're considering this for the long term. I suggest discussing your plans with your parents and any trusted advisors. Choosing the right school is crucial, so think about how well the school supports your career goals, the cost, and how close it is to home if that matters to you.
Don't hesitate to move away if it feels right. These years are a time for growth and new experiences. Ultimately, do what feels best for you, your family, and your future!
Don't hesitate to move away if it feels right. These years are a time for growth and new experiences. Ultimately, do what feels best for you, your family, and your future!
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Shea,
Moving away from home is a big step, and if you are not ready for it (and want to save some money), there is nothing wrong with starting out at a local Community College. You can take advantage of the MassTransfer program. Check for A2B mapped pathways.
Your path to become a pediatric occupational therapist starts with earning a bachelors degree in a relevant discipline. It could be e.g. biology, health or education.
Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield e.g. has associates programs in Natural and Physical Sciences (Biology pathway) or Allied Health that would give you a good foundation.
Greenfield Community College would be another nearby option that offers programs in Biology, Childhood Education and Applied Health.
Spend 2 years at CC and earn your associates before you transfer to a 4-year school to complete a bachelors. Just make sure that credits from your CC courses transfer to the 4-year school and program of your choice.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.mass.edu/masstransfer/
https://www.berkshirecc.edu/
https://www.gcc.mass.edu/
https://www.mass.edu/masstransfer/a2b/programsearch-maps.asp
https://maot.wildapricot.org/Massachusetts-OT-Programs
Moving away from home is a big step, and if you are not ready for it (and want to save some money), there is nothing wrong with starting out at a local Community College. You can take advantage of the MassTransfer program. Check for A2B mapped pathways.
Your path to become a pediatric occupational therapist starts with earning a bachelors degree in a relevant discipline. It could be e.g. biology, health or education.
Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield e.g. has associates programs in Natural and Physical Sciences (Biology pathway) or Allied Health that would give you a good foundation.
Greenfield Community College would be another nearby option that offers programs in Biology, Childhood Education and Applied Health.
Spend 2 years at CC and earn your associates before you transfer to a 4-year school to complete a bachelors. Just make sure that credits from your CC courses transfer to the 4-year school and program of your choice.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
I think you’re asking the right questions. I personally did a community college for the first couple years to help keep cost down and then transitioned to a four-year university. I was able to get all of my general education done at the community college and hyper focus on my field of study while at the four year.
You will get the exact same bachelors degree ultimately with the overall cost being lower. You can also get two graduation ceremonies out of it if you get an associates degree at the community college.
At the end of the day, do what feels right for you. If you feel more comfortable at home, I say go for it.
You will get the exact same bachelors degree ultimately with the overall cost being lower. You can also get two graduation ceremonies out of it if you get an associates degree at the community college.
At the end of the day, do what feels right for you. If you feel more comfortable at home, I say go for it.
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Shea !
It's great that you have figured out your options for attending college. Now it's time to decide what you especially want to do and only you can make that decision. Since your idea of going into Occupational Therapy is just a consideration, you can explore how strong that desire is and that can guide your academic direction. If moving away for college is not an option, you may want to explore the colleges and their programs that are within commuting distance to where you live. Not all colleges offer an Occupational Therapy Program, so in the next couple of years, you have time to decide what would be best for you to do. It's up in the air right now and that's fine because you do have time to explore.
In order to become an Occupational Therapist, you'll have to obtain a Bachelors Degree that will help make your Occupational Therapy Masters or Doctorate (your state allows either degree) smooth. Two relevant majors for your Bachelors would be Anatomy or Physiology. Most colleges do offer these life sciences as a major, so it's important to look at colleges that commonly have a life science major for your Bachelors. For the Masters or Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, this program, in state, is offered at Boston University, Tufts University, Springfield College, Worcester State University, Salem State University, and American International College.
The most important thing is that you know 100% and are positive about the career you want. It will have to be more than a "consideration" no matter what career it is.
It's perfectly fine to go to a community college and then transfer to a different college for your Bachelors Degree. Millions of people do it. You can also look into scholarships and Federal Student Financial Aid for your undergraduate, four year Bachelors path, no matter what you Major in. You've asked if you should "stick to the local community college where I could live at home, work part time and save up for two years, then go off to college". You may not have to leave home until your Masters/Doctorate Program if you still want to go into Occupational Therapy.
Since you've mentioned that you are having anxious feelings around this, you can visit your Guidance Counselor who can talk one on one with you to alleviate your anxious feelings and allow you to feel that a college path towards whatever career you choose is doable. You seem to have worked out options for yourself and it's best to run them by someone through a discussion. You can do anything you put your mind to.
Since you are considering Occupational Therapy, you can explore the work aspect of this career to see if it is something that you definitely want to do. You can watch presentational videos on You Tube of people that are OTs and also inquire about possibly doing some non-clinical volunteer work at an OT office. Some places to seek volunteer work would be at Berkshire Occupational Health, Berkshire Healthcare Systems Center for Rehabilitation and you can find out if Bay State Physical Therapy (which offers OT) is close by where you live.
Ideas need to be tested, so exploring and returning here to Career Village to ask more questions will help you out in making a final independent decision based on what you want to do. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best moving forward !
It's great that you have figured out your options for attending college. Now it's time to decide what you especially want to do and only you can make that decision. Since your idea of going into Occupational Therapy is just a consideration, you can explore how strong that desire is and that can guide your academic direction. If moving away for college is not an option, you may want to explore the colleges and their programs that are within commuting distance to where you live. Not all colleges offer an Occupational Therapy Program, so in the next couple of years, you have time to decide what would be best for you to do. It's up in the air right now and that's fine because you do have time to explore.
In order to become an Occupational Therapist, you'll have to obtain a Bachelors Degree that will help make your Occupational Therapy Masters or Doctorate (your state allows either degree) smooth. Two relevant majors for your Bachelors would be Anatomy or Physiology. Most colleges do offer these life sciences as a major, so it's important to look at colleges that commonly have a life science major for your Bachelors. For the Masters or Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, this program, in state, is offered at Boston University, Tufts University, Springfield College, Worcester State University, Salem State University, and American International College.
The most important thing is that you know 100% and are positive about the career you want. It will have to be more than a "consideration" no matter what career it is.
It's perfectly fine to go to a community college and then transfer to a different college for your Bachelors Degree. Millions of people do it. You can also look into scholarships and Federal Student Financial Aid for your undergraduate, four year Bachelors path, no matter what you Major in. You've asked if you should "stick to the local community college where I could live at home, work part time and save up for two years, then go off to college". You may not have to leave home until your Masters/Doctorate Program if you still want to go into Occupational Therapy.
Since you've mentioned that you are having anxious feelings around this, you can visit your Guidance Counselor who can talk one on one with you to alleviate your anxious feelings and allow you to feel that a college path towards whatever career you choose is doable. You seem to have worked out options for yourself and it's best to run them by someone through a discussion. You can do anything you put your mind to.
Since you are considering Occupational Therapy, you can explore the work aspect of this career to see if it is something that you definitely want to do. You can watch presentational videos on You Tube of people that are OTs and also inquire about possibly doing some non-clinical volunteer work at an OT office. Some places to seek volunteer work would be at Berkshire Occupational Health, Berkshire Healthcare Systems Center for Rehabilitation and you can find out if Bay State Physical Therapy (which offers OT) is close by where you live.
Ideas need to be tested, so exploring and returning here to Career Village to ask more questions will help you out in making a final independent decision based on what you want to do. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best moving forward !