By far one of the most significant decisions a young adult will face on the road to a successful future is choosing a college. This decision marks a significant turning point in anyone’s life. Selecting the college that will hopefully nurture your skills, improve your knowledge, and deliver you into a career that is perfect for you all translates into a higher standard of living, increased earning power, and greater social mobility. In other words, it’s not a decision to take lightly.

According to the U.S. College Board, there are around 5,000 universities and colleges for students to choose between throughout the United States. It’s fair to suggest that most college decisions won’t be a one-size-fits-all solution, and selecting the one that’s right for you may not be a perfect science. After all, college is about learning, growing, and discovering things about yourself and your abilities. For many, this journey begins from the moment they start considering certain schools.

Start by Determining Why You’re Going to College

Finding the college that’s right for you starts with knowing, at least to some degree, who you are and what you want. Never choose a school just because your friends are going there, or you heard from someone else that it was a good place to learn. You’ll need to research each of the places you’re thinking of attending, and learn as much as possible what they’re about, what they have to offer, and how they resonate with your own personal goals and ambitions.

At this point in your life, you may not be sure of what you want to do as a career or where you’ll be going after your education is complete, but you should have a general knowledge of your strengths, abilities, and hopes for the future. From there, it should be easier to select an appropriate path. For example, if your time at school so far has taught you the confidence and leadership skills required to branch out further away from home, then your search might expand. On the other hand, if you have pre-existing commitments in your hometown, then you may need to narrow your selection.

Know What You Want From Your Education

If you have a career counselor at school, then you’ve probably already thought about where you might want to be in the next four years. For some people, this means that you can already pinpoint a preferred career and the educational goals you need to achieve to get to that point, for others, all you can do is think about how you want to continue your learning experience.

When you’re selecting a college, determine whether you’d prefer to be trained for a specific line of work, or whether you’ll need a more general education. For instance, some schools, such as M.I.T., have specific programs for people interested in pursuing science, but they may not be the best choice for those with an interest in literature. If you have a specific major that you want to study, this will give you another point of research, as you’ll be able to learn how each potential college ranks in terms of education in that specific field.

Though you may think it’s too early to know whether you want to major in Science or History, check out the professors and programs in the various fields you’re thinking about. Some good things to look at are: how many students are studying that major, how many faculty members the college has, the reputation of the department, and how many different courses are available.

Consider the Size of the College

When it comes to your education, the size of the college you choose has more of an impact than you might think. The reason for this is that different sized schools offer different learning environments and educational approaches. Traditionally, liberal arts colleges may only have a few thousand undergrads present, meaning that you get access to a much smaller community of learners. Because the school is smaller, you may have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of smaller class sizes, getting to know the professors better, and experiencing a stronger sense of community. For people who attended boarding school, this atmosphere can feel far more familiar and supportive than a larger school.

On the other hand, attending a much bigger university can also have some benefits. For instance, aside from providing the anonymity that some students crave when they become one among many thousands of students, picking a larger university may open up the opportunity for a wider selection of courses and majors, housing opportunities, research facilities, and more.

Remember to Think About Location

Location is a key factor for most potential students. Though some may deny it, the location of the college you choose will affect what you do, who you meet, and your overall level of comfort. While picking a college based on location alone wouldn’t be a good idea, it is something that you may need to take time to consider, as you’ll be spending the majority of your time in this area for the next four years of your life. In fact, you may find that the city you go to college in is also where you find your dream job or buy your first apartment.

Regardless of whether you’re used to living away from loved ones or not, it’s important to choose a college in a town or city you can see yourself comfortably living in. Determine whether you’d be comfortable in the bustle of a big city, or you’d prefer the quiet of a small, rural town. Similarly, if you’re hoping to get a job upon graduation, you may want to make sure that the college you choose has available employers in your preferred field of work.

Look Into Extra Curricular Activities

For many people, the college experience goes beyond the classes and seminars, and into the extracurricular activities available on the campus. For example, if you engaged in a great deal of sport during your time at school, you may want to continue that healthy-living and fitness habit when you pursue higher education. This means that you need to look into the available sports teams and workout facilities available at your chosen college.

On the other hand, you may find yourself searching for activities in the form of clubs associated with a particular area of study, volunteer groups, or more. Figure out what matters to you, and what you’d like to avoid giving up when you leave school, then search for a college that provides those opportunities.

Follow Your Ambitions

Remember, choosing a college will never be a simple or straightforward decision, as there are a lot of different considerations to consider. However, what’s important is that you are capable of making the decision based on what you want for your future, and what you need to accomplish your goals. With that in mind, you should never let anyone else attempt to make the decision on your behalf.

If you’re already attending college, or you’ve recently left, what helped you make your decision? Let us know in the comments below!

Author Bio: Paige Maslen is the Associate Director of Marketing, Media, and Public Relations at Army and Navy Academy, a private military boarding school in San Diego County, California. Her specialties include strategy and content for the school’s digital properties. In her free time, Paige enjoys hiking, tennis, and yoga.

 

 

 

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Email:  General Information   |   Dr. Daniel de Roulet   |   Prof. David C. Pecoraro

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Finding Your Educational Fit: Choosing the Right College