7 answers
Rheannon
Student
Winfield, Missouri
1
Question
Asked
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How am I supposed to know what college would be best for my interests?
After some research on my options for nearby education, nothing seems to have exactly what I want. Maybe I'm not searching well enough, but I dunno.
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7 answers
Monica Waldau
Financial Services, Tech, Retail
22
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Monica’s Answer
Hi there! There are so many factors that go into the college decision making process. Here are my top 3 that I would recommend considering, in no particular order:
1. Tuition amount: what is your budget. Consider in-state vs. out-of-state. Do you want to take on a loan/debt? Do you have scholarship opportunities at this school? Some may offer additional amounts after you enroll (i.e. GPA rewards). Also, you could negotiate your scholarship amount before enrolling. Can you transfer from community college or study abroad expenses?
2. Career Goals: I applied to a top school and discussed how much I love business, turns out they didn't even have a business major. Do you think I got in? Nope! Not a chance. Find a college that makes sense for your career goals. Some schools are big research schools or have established pipelines for certain career paths. This can be solved with a simple search online, chat with an admissions team member, or ask current students. Also, check the school's social media and alumni's social media, what are they promoting and what does a day in their life look like?
3. Culture/Community: This can take many different flavors, but a few big factors: does it have a sports team, Greek Life, student organizations/club, dorms, etc. For example, a college with a football Pac-12, Greek Life row housing, and thousands of college dorms is a culture different than a commuter college without Greek Life, no football team, etc. Also, some colleges require freshmen to live on campus, others don't. Some schools have on-site parking, others don't.
Those are the main three, although we could spend hours hashing out the exhaustive list of considerations. I'll close with this, don't expect a "perfect" college experience. College is a beautiful yet chaotic, trying time in a student's life. You will be pushed academically, socially, and professionally all at once. You may or may not have financial support or an income, which makes budgeting important. It is hard, but I believe the best place for these formative years of your life. Good luck!!!
1. Tuition amount: what is your budget. Consider in-state vs. out-of-state. Do you want to take on a loan/debt? Do you have scholarship opportunities at this school? Some may offer additional amounts after you enroll (i.e. GPA rewards). Also, you could negotiate your scholarship amount before enrolling. Can you transfer from community college or study abroad expenses?
2. Career Goals: I applied to a top school and discussed how much I love business, turns out they didn't even have a business major. Do you think I got in? Nope! Not a chance. Find a college that makes sense for your career goals. Some schools are big research schools or have established pipelines for certain career paths. This can be solved with a simple search online, chat with an admissions team member, or ask current students. Also, check the school's social media and alumni's social media, what are they promoting and what does a day in their life look like?
3. Culture/Community: This can take many different flavors, but a few big factors: does it have a sports team, Greek Life, student organizations/club, dorms, etc. For example, a college with a football Pac-12, Greek Life row housing, and thousands of college dorms is a culture different than a commuter college without Greek Life, no football team, etc. Also, some colleges require freshmen to live on campus, others don't. Some schools have on-site parking, others don't.
Those are the main three, although we could spend hours hashing out the exhaustive list of considerations. I'll close with this, don't expect a "perfect" college experience. College is a beautiful yet chaotic, trying time in a student's life. You will be pushed academically, socially, and professionally all at once. You may or may not have financial support or an income, which makes budgeting important. It is hard, but I believe the best place for these formative years of your life. Good luck!!!
david kirk
Retired Computing Manager
472
Answers
Syracuse, New York
Updated
david’s Answer
There is no one BEST college for anyone. Further, you will find that your interests change while in college, as you will find new windows of opportunity opening and what you thought was your primary interest while in HS is no longer your goal. Seek a college where there are options to grow and explore and use the college as you develop your interests. I wish you well.
Megan McCoy
Career Coach
147
Answers
Lakeland, Florida
Updated
Megan’s Answer
Hi Rheannon,
I always advise students to go on college visits. Visiting a campus can really help you get an idea if it is going to be a good fit for you or not. I would also look to see if the colleges you are interested in have any special programs, summer camps, or events you can attend to get a better idea of what the college is like.
Hope that helps!
I always advise students to go on college visits. Visiting a campus can really help you get an idea if it is going to be a good fit for you or not. I would also look to see if the colleges you are interested in have any special programs, summer camps, or events you can attend to get a better idea of what the college is like.
Hope that helps!
Daniel Maynes
Credit Manager
188
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
Hi Rheannon!
Don't trust those "best university" publications. These magazines do not tell the whole story and could be biased toward certain universities. My suggestion is to visit some universities on their campus days to get a feel. Also, I would take this time to meet with current students to ask what their experience has been like. In my opinion, this is the best way to really find out what university you should attend. I visited universities that I thought would be my top two and ended up hating them by the time I left (one told our group ghost stories on the tour) One of the universities in my bottom three ended up where I attended and I absolutely loved it there! The difference happened during campus days and talking to current students.
Picking the right university to attend is important but knowing your career path is much more vital to your long term success. I am not saying all universities are alike but obtaining your degree in a field that interest you is much more vital to your work happiness. I have friends who work in fields completely different than their degree because they ended up hating what they spent 4-8 years learning. I implore you not to make this mistake. Really think about what you want to spend your work life doing and then once you decide go after it! Spend your time thinking about your future career and try to not get hung up on the best/right university
I hope this helps and good luck on the journey!
Don't trust those "best university" publications. These magazines do not tell the whole story and could be biased toward certain universities. My suggestion is to visit some universities on their campus days to get a feel. Also, I would take this time to meet with current students to ask what their experience has been like. In my opinion, this is the best way to really find out what university you should attend. I visited universities that I thought would be my top two and ended up hating them by the time I left (one told our group ghost stories on the tour) One of the universities in my bottom three ended up where I attended and I absolutely loved it there! The difference happened during campus days and talking to current students.
Picking the right university to attend is important but knowing your career path is much more vital to your long term success. I am not saying all universities are alike but obtaining your degree in a field that interest you is much more vital to your work happiness. I have friends who work in fields completely different than their degree because they ended up hating what they spent 4-8 years learning. I implore you not to make this mistake. Really think about what you want to spend your work life doing and then once you decide go after it! Spend your time thinking about your future career and try to not get hung up on the best/right university
I hope this helps and good luck on the journey!
Charlie Bernstein
Director
19
Answers
Murray, Utah
Updated
Charlie’s Answer
The best way to answer this question is for you to find out what you want from a college. There are 2800 4 year colleges in the US. Here are some questions you can answer, which may help you narrow down what you are looking for.
1) Do you know what major you want to study?
have you narrowed it down to a few? (maybe there is a school that has all those majors and you can choose later.
If not, many colleges offer a Bachelor of Arts where you have a concentration or major but can take many courses.
2) In-state or out of state
3) City or Rural
4) Big or Small
5) What type of career are you interested in?
6) Grades Good Grades or ok Grades (this will narrow the list down as well)
7) Cost and cost of travel to and from school
Hope this helps.
Good luck
1) Do you know what major you want to study?
have you narrowed it down to a few? (maybe there is a school that has all those majors and you can choose later.
If not, many colleges offer a Bachelor of Arts where you have a concentration or major but can take many courses.
2) In-state or out of state
3) City or Rural
4) Big or Small
5) What type of career are you interested in?
6) Grades Good Grades or ok Grades (this will narrow the list down as well)
7) Cost and cost of travel to and from school
Hope this helps.
Good luck
Molly Hollingsworth
HR Clerk
80
Answers
Coppell, Texas
Updated
Molly’s Answer
Rhiannon,
This is a great question! Simply answered, I would recommend to step your foot into multiple areas. If you find that what you are currently in or studying does not satisfy and appeal to what you want to do in the future, then you can easily shift away from that one area and focus in another. In college, I knew that I wanted to focus my studies in general business. However, that is all I knew. After focusing my studies in multiple areas of business, I found my way into Human Resources where I currently am working in today. I received my MBA focusing specifically in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources, and currently have a position as an Human Resources Administrator for a Sam's Club distribution and fulfillment center. You will never know what you like until you dip your foot in the water and tread through several areas!
I hope this helped!
Molly H.
This is a great question! Simply answered, I would recommend to step your foot into multiple areas. If you find that what you are currently in or studying does not satisfy and appeal to what you want to do in the future, then you can easily shift away from that one area and focus in another. In college, I knew that I wanted to focus my studies in general business. However, that is all I knew. After focusing my studies in multiple areas of business, I found my way into Human Resources where I currently am working in today. I received my MBA focusing specifically in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources, and currently have a position as an Human Resources Administrator for a Sam's Club distribution and fulfillment center. You will never know what you like until you dip your foot in the water and tread through several areas!
I hope this helped!
Molly H.
This answer was so useful, thank you so much <3
Rheannon
Racheal Noble, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC, NCC
Mental health, education, research, care coordinator
91
Answers
Oakland Park, Florida
Updated
Racheal’s Answer
Hello, and thank you for the inquiry.
I think its valuable to question what it is that you want and how it will make a difference in your educational experience. It would definitely be impactful to go for a career yet dislike the college.
Now in a practical and pragmatic way of thinking, is the college you looking for is accredited, will save you money, allows you to network and be part of the community through organizations and volunteer work, if so this could be great for this purpose.
When I thought about undergrad, it was all about money and accredited. Many times over, the ability to show that you earned a degree weight more than just the name of the school. Additionally, the name of the school and the actual program agre twice difference entities that should highly be considered. Just because it's Harvard doesn't mean it has a great engineering program.
Your program of choice and the curriculum has more value than the name of the school 98% of the time. I would suggest focusing on some of these factors first before considering external values then move on from them about the college you want to attend.
Lastly, go to a tour or visitation and ask to speak with students in the program. Trust me, as a professor and a student once before, no one is going to tell you anything that's dishonest, they aren't getting paid to be dishonest, so they will not in most cases. Thing about long term outcomes that stand the test of time and I know you'll make a great decision.
Hope this helps.
I think its valuable to question what it is that you want and how it will make a difference in your educational experience. It would definitely be impactful to go for a career yet dislike the college.
Now in a practical and pragmatic way of thinking, is the college you looking for is accredited, will save you money, allows you to network and be part of the community through organizations and volunteer work, if so this could be great for this purpose.
When I thought about undergrad, it was all about money and accredited. Many times over, the ability to show that you earned a degree weight more than just the name of the school. Additionally, the name of the school and the actual program agre twice difference entities that should highly be considered. Just because it's Harvard doesn't mean it has a great engineering program.
Your program of choice and the curriculum has more value than the name of the school 98% of the time. I would suggest focusing on some of these factors first before considering external values then move on from them about the college you want to attend.
Lastly, go to a tour or visitation and ask to speak with students in the program. Trust me, as a professor and a student once before, no one is going to tell you anything that's dishonest, they aren't getting paid to be dishonest, so they will not in most cases. Thing about long term outcomes that stand the test of time and I know you'll make a great decision.
Hope this helps.