What to Consider When Choosing the Right College
Most high school juniors are probably finalizing their college lists right about now, and learning that choosing the right college to apply to can be a daunting process. There are so many to choose from, and there are plenty of factors you need to consider in this decision. Whether or not you have a list of colleges in mind, Ivy Link has some points to offer to help get you started:
Consider available academic majors. This might be the most obvious thing to consider when choosing a college if you already have a major in mind. However, if you don’t already know what you want to study, think about your interests. For example, if you find that you’re interested in math and design, you may want to consider looking for a college with a strong engineering program as that major will match your interests. If you’re still considering what you might want to study and just can’t narrow it down at this point, you want to consider choosing a college that offers a wide variety of majors. No use limiting yourself before you even start classes.
Consider geographic location. Do you want to relocate or do you want to stay close to home? Do you want to live in a small college town or a major metropolis? There is no right or wrong answer to either of these questions. It’s all just about preference. Small college towns tend to offer a more tight-knit community where you can form strong relationships with your peers and professors alike. They also offer a generally lower cost of living. On the other hand, cities are often more expensive, but they also have more social and cultural offerings. Larger cities may also have more opportunities in terms of internships and jobs both while in school and after you graduate.
Consider college size. Smaller colleges might lack certain resources, but smaller liberal arts colleges will sometimes allow you to create your own self-designed majors giving you the chance to pursue your passions and interests. Also, the small size of the school usually means smaller class sizes which gives you more access to one-on-one support from professors and advisors. By contrast, larger colleges offer more diversity, both academically and culturally. They often have more resources available such as larger libraries and research labs. Because larger colleges have more students, they also have more student clubs and activities for you to join. When deciding on what schools to apply to, consider which of these options would be a better fit for you.
So sit down and make a list of potential colleges and then narrow it down with these ideas in mind. If you’re still having trouble, reach out to Ivy Link. Our advisors can help you find the right fitting college based on your test scores, GPA, interests, and more. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
