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Which college should I go to?

I am deciding between Harding University and the University of Alabama. Harding is smaller and farther away, but it simply feels like home and I know a lot of people there that would make my college experience more fun and comfortable. My best friend and brother go there as well. However, there is nothing to do, which bothers me. There is also a strict dress code and curfew. The University of Alabama is much bigger but closer to home. Both of my parents attended UA. I would know very few people there, but there is a lot to do. But, the main thing to do there seems to be just partying and drinking, which I have no interest in. I know Harding will help me grow spiritually and I will have a more personal relationship with my professors, which will help with recommendation letters for grad school. But at Bama, I would have the opportunity to possibly make more meaningful connections with better-known names. Plus, football! What should I do? #college #college-selection #college-advice #college-bound

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Jacob’s Answer

Hi, Cassidy! I want to add on to the previous answer you received. Your consideration of the resources each college you are thinking about is definitely a very pragmatic way to analyze which place is a better fit. What you want to do after college will play a role in what resources you should look for at each school. If you are struggling to find what careers may interest you, I definitely recommend checking out the career guide linked below.


You control how rewarding your college experience is. A lot of your concerns (i.e. nothing to do at Harding, lots of partying and drinking at Alabama) are probably more in your realm of control than you think. The people you choose to surround yourself with are going to play a huge factor in how happy you are at school. Getting involved and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone also make for a much more enjoyable college experience. Don't feel like you are at the mercy of stereotypes associated the school you attend. My university had a reputation for not being a fun school too (in fact, some referred to Villanova as "Villanofun") but I had a tremendous four years there. I got involved and had a group of friends with whom I am still very close to today.


Hopefully that helps - good luck in your decision! See below for a couple of recommended next steps.

Jacob recommends the following next steps:

This is the link to the career guide: https://80000hours.org/career-guide/job-satisfaction/
I also recommend reading, "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. It's a quick, rewarding read and does a tremendous job of personifying the attitude you should carry into your college experience.
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Sen’s Answer

You have to decide what you want to do with life? Since I place spirituality at a very higher pedestal than 'materialistic success', I would advice to go there where you grow into a better person, a better human being. We are trying endlessly to be an engineer, doctor......but sadly none wants to be spiritual in it's true sense. You are the first person that I came across who wants to grow spiritually while pursuing higher studies. Novel Idea and my good wishes to you. Read books from great masters and take deep dive into the realm of infinity. I can recommend a book , " Stumbling into Infinity" by Micheal Fishman, which I suppose one of the best books I have read on experiences of a person who grows from nothing to spiritually evolved person and one of the best trainers/speakers and a big time globe trotter. I have had the fortune to meet him personally in Bangalore, India two tears back alongwith his friends whom he has referred in the book. You can down load the pdf file :
http://www.stumblingintoinfinity.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Excerpt_Stumbling_Into_Infinity_Fischman.pdf

All the best. Happy Reading and may you become a master in your chosen path!
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M’s Answer

Hi Cassidy! I believe you have to look into your values and really consider what you truly want to do with your life. Ask yourself why you want to go to college, is it to build a strong career, establish a better friend group, have a great social life, and prioritize what is important to you. Based on this choose your school. If you want to establish a foundation for your career, look into the school that would be providing you with the better resources to do so. If your main priority is to have a better social life, go to the school that's better known for that. Hope this helped, wishing you all the best!
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neha’s Answer

I always felt it was important to push yourself out of your comfort zone so you can learn more about yourself. In college you really begin to understand who you are and if you stay in the same small circle with the same people you never push yourself out of your comfort zone. You might make decisions based on your brother's or best friend's experience and never for yourself.
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Richard’s Answer

You should go to the college where you feel you would be the best fit. It is important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of both schools. You should weigh them based on how important they are to you. Make sure you get rid of the biases you have regarding specific colleges. For example, although many people at the University of Alabama may partake in a lifestyle with which you do not agree, you will surely be able to find different groups of students who share the same values as you do. It's also good to spend time with different types of people who can teach you lessons you would not learn being around those who you are most comfortable with.
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Simeon’s Answer

I had the choice between bigger public colleges with more to do and slightly smaller private colleges with more intimate connections. I ended up going the private university route for both undergraduate and graduate studies and it paid off greatly. I got a lot more out of my classes that had the smaller class sizes. I know that seminar style classes aren't for everyone, but I learned a lot out of them and found my own voice in those classes as well. I wouldn't say that I got to know the professors very well, but several of my friends and fellow students made those more personal connections with their professors. If you've got the right friends and you aren't in the middle of nowhere, you can always find something fun to do.
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