9 answers
Yonathan
Student
11
Questions
Asked
349 views
How do you pick which college to go to ?
It's just so hard to choose!
Login to comment
9 answers
Robert Rossi
Many things! But mostly chemistry and chemical engineering
36
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Please see the advice I offer in https://www.careervillage.org/questions/640079/can-a-colleges-quality-of-education-be-told-by-its-acceptance-rate. But also keep in mind that you are unlikely to be playing "Let's Make a Deal" with Monty Hall, in which there's a big prize behind one curtain and a goat behind the other two (https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/21/us/behind-monty-hall-s-doors-puzzle-debate-and-answer.html). Chances are that all the colleges you are considering would be good, and your life will not be ruined by picking the wrong one. The biggest mistakes I see people make are:
Overreaching (attending a school that is too academically challenging for them to thrive at)
Drinking the lemonade (selling a school is a marketing effort, and the college tour the centerpiece. Get better data and understand the tour is a sales pitch, however it is delivered)
Not putting learning first (focusing on where your friends go, extracurriculars, amenities, etc. Go to college to learn, or don't go at all!)
Avoid those and you are unlikely to go wrong.
Avoid the temptation to simplify your choices by looking at rankings
Talk with someone in human resources about the qualities of the graduates from the schools you are considering
Talk with older people you like about where they went to college (or why they didn't)
VISIT the schools you are accepted to and truly considering, and SIT IN ON THE CLASSES YOU WOULD TAKE, also look at the assignments...would you enjoy learning in that environment?
Overreaching (attending a school that is too academically challenging for them to thrive at)
Drinking the lemonade (selling a school is a marketing effort, and the college tour the centerpiece. Get better data and understand the tour is a sales pitch, however it is delivered)
Not putting learning first (focusing on where your friends go, extracurriculars, amenities, etc. Go to college to learn, or don't go at all!)
Avoid those and you are unlikely to go wrong.
Robert recommends the following next steps:
Shirley Zhang
Product Manager
3
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Shirley’s Answer
Let's say you have a list of colleges that accepted you and you are now deciding which one to attend. Here's what I did ( with maybe a few tweaks):
1. If possible, the highest value action is to speak to alums, visit the colleges. There are so many factors that influence your feel for a college and getting the real experience by visiting, speaking to people who lived through it is probably the most holistic way of evaluating a school. What did the love about the school, what were the challenges, what are things that are perks but poorly advertised by the school? Then for each answer, think about whether it would apply to you. For example, if someone is a STEM major, the challenges they mentioned about their major might not be super important to someone who wants to be an arts major. After doing this you'll probably have the top choices.
2. Re think through the criteria you had for selecting which colleges to apply to, and prioritize those attributes to the best of your ability. Most importantly are there any deal-breakers? How important is class size? Location? research opportunities? social scene on campus? finaid? School reputation vs major reputation? Remove any choices that have deal-breakers. There are no right or wrong with how you prioritize these attributes, the important thing is to have a system to breakdown what is important to you :)
Honestly after these two steps you should have answer. If you realize there are multiple schools that seem so great, meets all the criteria in different ways, then rest assured you'll probably be fine whichever option you go with! At the end of the day I think there isn't the ''perfect'' school for someone: we can adapt and make the most out of many great options.
1. If possible, the highest value action is to speak to alums, visit the colleges. There are so many factors that influence your feel for a college and getting the real experience by visiting, speaking to people who lived through it is probably the most holistic way of evaluating a school. What did the love about the school, what were the challenges, what are things that are perks but poorly advertised by the school? Then for each answer, think about whether it would apply to you. For example, if someone is a STEM major, the challenges they mentioned about their major might not be super important to someone who wants to be an arts major. After doing this you'll probably have the top choices.
2. Re think through the criteria you had for selecting which colleges to apply to, and prioritize those attributes to the best of your ability. Most importantly are there any deal-breakers? How important is class size? Location? research opportunities? social scene on campus? finaid? School reputation vs major reputation? Remove any choices that have deal-breakers. There are no right or wrong with how you prioritize these attributes, the important thing is to have a system to breakdown what is important to you :)
Honestly after these two steps you should have answer. If you realize there are multiple schools that seem so great, meets all the criteria in different ways, then rest assured you'll probably be fine whichever option you go with! At the end of the day I think there isn't the ''perfect'' school for someone: we can adapt and make the most out of many great options.
Hormuzd Birdie
Lead Architect in IT
11
Answers
Fort Worth, Texas
Updated
Hormuzd’s Answer
Hi Yonathan,
If you believe that you will get a full scholarship in a four year accredited college and know exactly what degree you want to pursue then I would recommend reading the other responders advice. Otherwise, I would highly recommend attending a Community College. Attending a community college for two years will allow you to either take core courses which can be transferred over to a another four year degree school or allow you to graduate with an Associate degree. The AA degree allows you to jump in the work force immediately depending upon your major. The major advantage is the cost of the two years in a community college compare to the four year degree. Community Colleges are significantly cheaper than a four year accredited and as you probably know the cost of tuition increases every year with the result more graduates end up in a lot of debt. Also, it is a myth to state that the quality of education provided in a Community College is inferior than a University. It is very competitive.
Anyway best of luck to you.
Regards,
Hormuzd
If you believe that you will get a full scholarship in a four year accredited college and know exactly what degree you want to pursue then I would recommend reading the other responders advice. Otherwise, I would highly recommend attending a Community College. Attending a community college for two years will allow you to either take core courses which can be transferred over to a another four year degree school or allow you to graduate with an Associate degree. The AA degree allows you to jump in the work force immediately depending upon your major. The major advantage is the cost of the two years in a community college compare to the four year degree. Community Colleges are significantly cheaper than a four year accredited and as you probably know the cost of tuition increases every year with the result more graduates end up in a lot of debt. Also, it is a myth to state that the quality of education provided in a Community College is inferior than a University. It is very competitive.
Anyway best of luck to you.
Regards,
Hormuzd
William Nwaogu
Construction, CAD and BIM
157
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Yonathan,
You have to do a self evaluation based on your circumstance and aspiration.
The questions below are necessary for consideration.
What course do I want to study?
Which schools offers the course?
Does the college meet my budget?
What quality of facilities are available?
Are the course modules or contents rich?
Are there other commitments I have that could be altered, or that may alter my studies?
How will my academics affect my family, personal life and other serious responsibilities.
What career helps are available (industrial placements)?
What are the quality of academic faculties?
What is the rating or ranking or recognition of the college?
Does the college course of study have relevant accreditation or recognition?
What is my level of academic goal (Undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate)?
What academic load can I carry (associate, certificate, award, minor, major, and honours )?
What financial opportunities are available (Aids, bursaries, loans, scholarships, and grants)?
Does the mode of study match my circumstance (part-time, full-time, distance learning, self-paced e-learning, and instructor led online study modes)?
You have to do a self evaluation based on your circumstance and aspiration.
The questions below are necessary for consideration.
What course do I want to study?
Which schools offers the course?
Does the college meet my budget?
What quality of facilities are available?
Are the course modules or contents rich?
Are there other commitments I have that could be altered, or that may alter my studies?
How will my academics affect my family, personal life and other serious responsibilities.
What career helps are available (industrial placements)?
What are the quality of academic faculties?
What is the rating or ranking or recognition of the college?
Does the college course of study have relevant accreditation or recognition?
What is my level of academic goal (Undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate)?
What academic load can I carry (associate, certificate, award, minor, major, and honours )?
What financial opportunities are available (Aids, bursaries, loans, scholarships, and grants)?
Does the mode of study match my circumstance (part-time, full-time, distance learning, self-paced e-learning, and instructor led online study modes)?
Akshat Gupta
M&A
1
Answer
Jersey City, New Jersey
Updated
Akshat’s Answer
My goal while choosing a collage was to land a good job in a desired field at a specific set of companies. Hence, I took a two pronged approach
1) Look up career services site ( or talk to placement cell) and research companies that come to campus to hire as well as for what specific profiles. This is important because your target firm may come to campus but for a profile different than the one you are targetting.
2) Go to campus hire section of target company and see which school to they go to hire freshers.
Based on the above two, who can choose a university that offers a course your interested in.
Other considerations
- City : Helps to be in NYC if you are looking to investment baking roles and in Bay area/Austin if looking for Tech roles as its easy to network.
1) Look up career services site ( or talk to placement cell) and research companies that come to campus to hire as well as for what specific profiles. This is important because your target firm may come to campus but for a profile different than the one you are targetting.
2) Go to campus hire section of target company and see which school to they go to hire freshers.
Based on the above two, who can choose a university that offers a course your interested in.
Other considerations
- City : Helps to be in NYC if you are looking to investment baking roles and in Bay area/Austin if looking for Tech roles as its easy to network.
Liediana Djoli
Student
20
Answers
Singapore
Updated
Liediana’s Answer
One of the safest way to do so is to join any open houses or public activities when these colleges are open for public. It is always easy to research on a school through a screen but being there personally allows you to sense the culture, the vibes from the professors as well as the environment there. Other than that, programme and curriculum information can be searched online to determine your interest.
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1514
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. A lot of students have the same question.
Before you pick the college, you may need to determine which major you would like to take first. Have you thought about the career you would like to pursue in the future.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest, e.g. your hobbies, favorite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers.
E.g. If you have interested in Maths, would you like to be an engineer, accountant, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc.
If you are interested in music, would you like to be a music teacher, singer, musician, music composer, music producer, etc.
2. Find out more on these careers and identify 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 career you would like to pursue
5. identify the colleges which are good at the relevant subjects of the careers and explore the entry cirteria
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Before you pick the college, you may need to determine which major you would like to take first. Have you thought about the career you would like to pursue in the future.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest, e.g. your hobbies, favorite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers.
E.g. If you have interested in Maths, would you like to be an engineer, accountant, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc.
If you are interested in music, would you like to be a music teacher, singer, musician, music composer, music producer, etc.
2. Find out more on these careers and identify 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 career you would like to pursue
5. identify the colleges which are good at the relevant subjects of the careers and explore the entry cirteria
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Vamshee Gunturu
Principal Engineer
187
Answers
Chandler, Arizona
Updated
Vamshee’s Answer
These are the few things that would help you out.
First, you find the major which you are interested in.
Find the universities offering the major in state and out of state if you are open for out of state colleges.
Find the college's credentials and compare them with others.
Find the overall cost for each university
GPA/SAT/ACT requirements for each university
Campus environment is another factor to consider.
Visit the college and connect with students.
Talk to your school counselor for their input.
Research about the college online
See if you can contact any Alumni from the college in LinkedIn or online for their feedback.
Shortlist the 2-3 universities which fits your criteria considering cost, GPS requirements, university ranking, campus environment, cost, job opportunities. etc.
Apply to them and based on their acceptance and fee waiver/benefits you can pick the one you like the most.
You can find the college rankings/college scorecard at the below links.
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?104151-Arizona-State-University-Campus-Immersion
Hope this helps!! Good luck
First, you find the major which you are interested in.
Find the universities offering the major in state and out of state if you are open for out of state colleges.
Find the college's credentials and compare them with others.
Find the overall cost for each university
GPA/SAT/ACT requirements for each university
Campus environment is another factor to consider.
Visit the college and connect with students.
Talk to your school counselor for their input.
Research about the college online
See if you can contact any Alumni from the college in LinkedIn or online for their feedback.
Shortlist the 2-3 universities which fits your criteria considering cost, GPS requirements, university ranking, campus environment, cost, job opportunities. etc.
Apply to them and based on their acceptance and fee waiver/benefits you can pick the one you like the most.
You can find the college rankings/college scorecard at the below links.
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?104151-Arizona-State-University-Campus-Immersion
Hope this helps!! Good luck
Chirayu Rupani
Data Analyst
295
Answers
Frisco, Texas
Updated
Chirayu’s Answer
Choosing which college to attend can certainly be a daunting task. There are a few factors to consider that can help you make a decision. Consider which academic programs are offered at each college and whether they align with your interests and career goals. Consider the location of each college and whether it is a good fit for you. Do you want to attend a college in a big city or a small town? Do you want to be close to home or far away? Consider the culture of the campus and whether it aligns with your personal values and interests. Do students seem happy and engaged? Is there a strong sense of community? Consider the cost of tuition and whether it is within your budget. You should also research financial aid options and scholarships that may be available to you. Consider the resources available on campus such as academic support services, extracurricular activities, and career services. If possible, visit the campus to get a feel for the environment and talk to current students and faculty. Ultimately, you should choose a college that feels like the best fit for you academically, socially, and financially.