9 answers
Kathryn
Student
Moxee, Washington
1
Question
9 answers
Deborah Ogundepo
Researcher
73
Answers
Nigeria
Updated
Deborah’s Answer
The "best" school isn't just about its prestige or ranking; it's about finding the right fit for you. Look for a school that feels like a second home, where you feel supported, challenged, and excited to learn. Consider factors like location, campus culture, available resources, and programs offered. Some schools might excel in specific areas like arts, sciences, or sports. Your "best" school is one that aligns with your interests, values, and goals, where you can thrive academically and personally while feeling a sense of belonging within the community. It's about finding a place that allows you to grow into the person you aspire to become.
Bhavin Thaker
Director of Engineering
13
Answers
Mountain View, California
Updated
Bhavin’s Answer
Use rankings, if you want, as one of the many dimensions you want to explore in a school; For example: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges
Identify what dimensions matter to you: professors, location, curriculum, environment, etc.
Identify what dimensions matter to you: professors, location, curriculum, environment, etc.
Ann Peason
Tech Ambassador Support
3
Answers
Morristown, New Jersey
Updated
Ann’s Answer
So many considerations! What you want to consider is the "best fit" for you! And also for your family! You want to take into account the distance you/your family can handle. You will want to visit home! There are additional expenses for travel that sometimes are not considered in the selection. Of course money is a big factor as well. Best is not always the most expensive. The worst thing you could do is graduate with an enormous amount of debt. Think about location, money and if the school has the program that you are considering. You may actually change your mind on any of these things half way through your journey. Lots of choices!
Paige Hanley
Consultant
21
Answers
Redmond, Washington
Updated
Paige’s Answer
Hi Kathryn,
To add a few ideas to the other comments, I know the guidance I got was that if I didn't have a specific major or specialty in mind where I'd want to go to a school that had that as a strong program, it was more about looking at where I could get a good education but also affordable. For me that was looking at in state schools (I see you're also in Washington) but it's worth doing some research as I don't know if that's still the case.
Another tool you can use is this college salary report a company called Payscale puts together. They do a ton of research on graduates and it lets you basically see what schools and degrees with the most income potential. Certainly not the only reason to pick a college but can be very informative.
Good luck!
Paige
To add a few ideas to the other comments, I know the guidance I got was that if I didn't have a specific major or specialty in mind where I'd want to go to a school that had that as a strong program, it was more about looking at where I could get a good education but also affordable. For me that was looking at in state schools (I see you're also in Washington) but it's worth doing some research as I don't know if that's still the case.
Another tool you can use is this college salary report a company called Payscale puts together. They do a ton of research on graduates and it lets you basically see what schools and degrees with the most income potential. Certainly not the only reason to pick a college but can be very informative.
Good luck!
Paige
Flora Frangoudis, NJ CPA
Accounting
20
Answers
Morristown, New Jersey
Updated
Flora’s Answer
Absolutely! I'm on the same page with the recommendations given earlier, but wearing my accountant hat, I'd love to gently suggest that you take a good look at the financial side of your academic journey. Try to assess your monetary capabilities and the resources each school might offer you, such as scholarships, grants, paid internships, and on-campus jobs. If you can graduate with no debt or just a small loan, it'll give you a great head start in your future life.
Rian Alam
Student
136
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Rian’s Answer
Hi Kathryn,
As others have mentioned, there really is no best school! If you are curious about a specific school, I would recommend reaching out to some current students following your desired career path and asking them how their school supports them. I personally think that the support a school provides to its students should be an important gauge of a schools success.
As others have mentioned, there really is no best school! If you are curious about a specific school, I would recommend reaching out to some current students following your desired career path and asking them how their school supports them. I personally think that the support a school provides to its students should be an important gauge of a schools success.
Robert McAdams
Software Engineer
30
Answers
Roseville, California
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Short Answer: there is no such thing as a "best" school. It is all going to boil down to each person's financial needs, career goals, desired field of study, time available to study, and academic achievements.
Long Answer: Asking which school is "best" is like asking which flavor of ice cream is "best." It is a completely subjective question which will get you completely subjective answers. My question for you would be: what do you want from your school (I am assuming university/college)?
If you want a job that pays you well, then your selection of major is FAR MORE important than which university you attend. Aside from maybe MIT and CalTech, the university you attend won't impress most people in the technology and science fields, so long as it is accredited. If you plan to major in: math, science, engineering, computer science, business, and other similarly highly employable and fairly high salary fields, my advice to you would be to pick the easiest and cheapest university which accepts you, pay as little money as you can, take out as few student loans as you can, and get that degree ASAP.
On the other hand, if you are not as concerned about financial rewards from a job, and you are more concerned about studying a specific field, or with a specific professor, then obviously you need to apply to the universities which can meet that need for you.
If prestige is your only concern, then apply to the Ivy League schools. Those schools are mostly beneficial for those who are entering non-science fields, such as: law school, sociology, and (weirdly) medicine (not considered in the same science category as STEM fields). Writers and other creatives can also get a boost from an Ivy League school, if for no other reason than the connections you will get.
That's the best advice anyone is going to be able to give you. It ultimately comes down to a personal and financial decision on your part. There is no such thing as a "best" school. It literally doesn't exist. A Junior College is going to be the best option for a working parent who has zero extra dollars to spend on a university. Harvard is going to be a giant waste of money for an engineering student, and a University of State school is likely not going to have the prestigious professors someone who is studying a very esoteric field may crave.
Long Answer: Asking which school is "best" is like asking which flavor of ice cream is "best." It is a completely subjective question which will get you completely subjective answers. My question for you would be: what do you want from your school (I am assuming university/college)?
If you want a job that pays you well, then your selection of major is FAR MORE important than which university you attend. Aside from maybe MIT and CalTech, the university you attend won't impress most people in the technology and science fields, so long as it is accredited. If you plan to major in: math, science, engineering, computer science, business, and other similarly highly employable and fairly high salary fields, my advice to you would be to pick the easiest and cheapest university which accepts you, pay as little money as you can, take out as few student loans as you can, and get that degree ASAP.
On the other hand, if you are not as concerned about financial rewards from a job, and you are more concerned about studying a specific field, or with a specific professor, then obviously you need to apply to the universities which can meet that need for you.
If prestige is your only concern, then apply to the Ivy League schools. Those schools are mostly beneficial for those who are entering non-science fields, such as: law school, sociology, and (weirdly) medicine (not considered in the same science category as STEM fields). Writers and other creatives can also get a boost from an Ivy League school, if for no other reason than the connections you will get.
That's the best advice anyone is going to be able to give you. It ultimately comes down to a personal and financial decision on your part. There is no such thing as a "best" school. It literally doesn't exist. A Junior College is going to be the best option for a working parent who has zero extra dollars to spend on a university. Harvard is going to be a giant waste of money for an engineering student, and a University of State school is likely not going to have the prestigious professors someone who is studying a very esoteric field may crave.
Natalie Eyring
Accounting Analyst
2
Answers
Round Rock, Texas
Updated
Natalie’s Answer
Hello Kathryn! That's an excellent query. Identifying the "best" school largely depends on finding the one that aligns with your personal needs and aspirations. When you're on the hunt for the best school, it's crucial to consider your passions and the career path you wish to follow. Contemplate on the area of study you're captivated by, and seek out schools that are renowned for their programs in that particular field. Wishing you all the best in your search!
Karin P.
Lecturer
378
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Kathryn,
I agree with what Deborah said. Also, no school is the best for every subject. One school might be ranked No 1 for law, but a different school might be ranked No 1 for engineering.
Also, rankings take into account many different factors, some of which might not matter very much to you as an undergraduate student.
Good luck!
KP
I agree with what Deborah said. Also, no school is the best for every subject. One school might be ranked No 1 for law, but a different school might be ranked No 1 for engineering.
Also, rankings take into account many different factors, some of which might not matter very much to you as an undergraduate student.
Good luck!
KP