3 answers
Daniel
Student
West Valley City, Utah
1
Question
Asked
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How do you know which college is best for you?
So many different colleges #toomany
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3 answers
Kristy-Lyn McCoy, PMP®
People Intelligence & Analytics
16
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Kristy-Lyn’s Answer
Hi Daniel!
If I'm being honest, it can be a bit of a gamble. What can help is really thinking about what you want out of a school. Do you do better in class when you have one-on-one attention? Or do you work better on your own? What do you think you want to major in (if you know)? What can you afford (this part is VERY important)? Do you want to be close to home? Do you want to travel/be in a different state or country?
If you think a big school is your best option, but your budget isn't that large - maybe a public college/university is a good choice. My college had 20K+ students when I attended. If you need more attention or prefer a more intimate class sizes, a smaller, private school might be the better option. If you want to be a musician, a school with a great business program is probably not the place you want to be.
The thing that worked for me was using Princeton Review and CollegeBoard search functions for different schools. You can compare and contrast the programs, size, locations, cost, etc. and see what they offer you.
Worst case scenario after all of this is if you go to a college and realize it's not for you - transferring is always an option! Try not to let yourself get too overwhelmed. You'll have a good time just about anywhere you end up.
If I'm being honest, it can be a bit of a gamble. What can help is really thinking about what you want out of a school. Do you do better in class when you have one-on-one attention? Or do you work better on your own? What do you think you want to major in (if you know)? What can you afford (this part is VERY important)? Do you want to be close to home? Do you want to travel/be in a different state or country?
If you think a big school is your best option, but your budget isn't that large - maybe a public college/university is a good choice. My college had 20K+ students when I attended. If you need more attention or prefer a more intimate class sizes, a smaller, private school might be the better option. If you want to be a musician, a school with a great business program is probably not the place you want to be.
The thing that worked for me was using Princeton Review and CollegeBoard search functions for different schools. You can compare and contrast the programs, size, locations, cost, etc. and see what they offer you.
Worst case scenario after all of this is if you go to a college and realize it's not for you - transferring is always an option! Try not to let yourself get too overwhelmed. You'll have a good time just about anywhere you end up.
Shannon Zulauf
Risk & Independence
46
Answers
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Updated
Shannon’s Answer
This is a great question! There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the right college for you—things like location, academic programs, campus size, and overall environment.
A helpful first step is to visit different types of schools based on size. Most areas have a variety of colleges nearby, and each campus has a different feel depending on its size and location. Paying attention to what feels comfortable to you can be just as important as the academic offerings.
I’ll also add that it’s okay if you love what a college offers academically but don’t always love the school itself. I may be an odd one out here, but I supplemented my education by taking classes at a local community college, which allowed me to graduate early. That flexibility worked well for me and helped me focus on my goals rather than a traditional timeline.
Once you understand what environment fits you best, you can narrow your options based on what you want to study and how different schools—or combinations of schools—can support that path. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and finding what works for you is what matters most.
A helpful first step is to visit different types of schools based on size. Most areas have a variety of colleges nearby, and each campus has a different feel depending on its size and location. Paying attention to what feels comfortable to you can be just as important as the academic offerings.
I’ll also add that it’s okay if you love what a college offers academically but don’t always love the school itself. I may be an odd one out here, but I supplemented my education by taking classes at a local community college, which allowed me to graduate early. That flexibility worked well for me and helped me focus on my goals rather than a traditional timeline.
Once you understand what environment fits you best, you can narrow your options based on what you want to study and how different schools—or combinations of schools—can support that path. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and finding what works for you is what matters most.
Leslie Mills
Talent Leader
11
Answers
Walnut Creek, California
Updated
Leslie’s Answer
Daniel, great question! It can be daunting to consider which college is right for you. I would consider what are your "wants" from schools and compare options. Class size, majors avail, location, public/private, etc. Once you've narrowed down your search based on your preferences, I recommend visiting the schools, preferably while students are in session, to give you an idea of what a day would be like. And remember, you can always transfer schools. This is your next adventure and there is no one right path to your future. Wishing you all the best!