Introduction
With early decision applications finished in early November, many anxious seniors will already be accepted into college in December. A weight will be lifted off their shoulders as they run to tell their parents how they made it into their dream school. However, if you are reading this article, you are not one of those people. You might have forgotten to submit your early decision applications, or maybe you just haven’t found the university for you. Either way, let’s look into how you can evaluate any college based on five critical questions.
1. What is your intended major, and does the college offer a strong program for it?
First, you should consider your major. Does this school specialize in it? Do they have good programs that will further your understanding? How many people in those programs actually graduate? What are the benefits and downsides of the programs at this school? You should ask all of these questions when thinking about your major.
2. What is the location of the school, and do you prefer a city or rural setting?
Location is extremely important when evaluating colleges. Do you want to stay close to home or move far away? Do you want the bustling, high-energy city life, or do you prefer a quiet, gentle countryside? Do you want a campus with open spaces or skyscrapers? All of this is critical when thinking about the location of your college.
3. What is the size of the school and student body? Do you prefer small or large classes?
Learning about the size of a school is important as well. Having 67,000 students, like Rutgers, versus 8,500, like Princeton, is an extremely different experience. Ignoring acceptance rate and prestige, the number of students will fundamentally change the community within these schools. Furthermore, lectures will be less personal in larger schools. Thus, it is imperative to decide if you want a big or small student body.
4. What is the college’s culture and environment, and does it align with your values and beliefs?
Think about your core values and the type of people you want to meet. Will you find that at this college? Does the culture align with your values and beliefs, and will it have a community that you can identify with? For example, a highly competitive environment might not be a great fit for you, or it may inspire you to do your best. Think of an environment that will help you succeed.
5. Can you actually see yourself living at this school and having a community there?
Although the main reason for college is to further your education, finding a college that is the right fit for you is one of the most important criteria to consider when making your selection. You are still going to either live or be at the college most of the time, and enjoying your college’s campus and atmosphere is vital to enjoying your undergraduate years. There is no reason to apply to a college, even if it has a good program, if you are going to be miserable.
Conclusion
Remember, worst comes to worst, if you don’t like your college you can always transfer. You are not stuck somewhere, and your undergraduate degree will not define your life forever. Just enjoy college and your last years as a kid.
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