Choosing a good college is key to having a positive college experience and earning a degree that will open doors for you after graduation. But this is no easy undertaking. How do you choose just one from among so many schools across America, each one offering a long list of attractive features and benefits? And how do you decide which one is the best? To help make this decision a little easier for you, we’ve put together a list of what to look for in a good college.
The truth is there’s no single college that’s best for everyone. The best college for you will depend on your intended profession, financial circumstances, and personal preference. Start with these considerations.
What to Look for in a Good College
1. Academic Offerings
The choice of majors that a school offers should be your top priority. This is regardless of any other factor. It will do you no good to attend a college with the best campus in the country if it doesn’t offer the major of your choice.
First, consider what career you want to pursue after graduation. Then look for a college that offers the programs that will qualify you for that profession. If you’re not sure about your career preference yet choose a college that offers programs that interest you.
While perusing the academic curriculum, take a look at the other programs the school offers. If you decide to change majors at any time during the program, does the school offer alternatives that you find interesting?
2. Quality Of Learning Facilities
The quality of learning facilities on offer is just as important as the programs the college offers. It can have a major impact on your education and overall experience.
For example, you’re signing up to do a practical subject, such as science. You need to ensure you have access to high-quality labs that are equipped with the latest technology and equipment. As an education specialist points out, a teaching environment that is creative, inspiring, and cutting-edge plays a crucial role in student learning.
When reviewing your prospective college options, don’t overlook the quality of the learning environment.
3. Rankings
Rankings should by no means be the only factor to look for in a college. However, it does help to see how well a particular college ranks compared with its competitors.
Rankings allow you to compare institutions across a range of variables. That includes factors such as academic reputation and the ratio of students to teachers.
By researching online, you should be able to find comprehensive lists that compare institutions based on a range of calibrated performance indicators. In fact, College Raptor has its very own rankings list, which you can find here – 2023 Best Colleges Ranking.
4. Experiential Learning Opportunities
Getting a job after graduation is important and the sooner the better. You do have to pay off those student loans after all. Many schools offer various experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for jobs in their chosen fields.
Many colleges offer various types of internships for credits or other extracurricular experiences. Find out if the school you’re interested in offers some sort of experiential learning opportunity that is relevant to your major. This could be the determining factor when deciding between two equally-weighted colleges.
5. Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities are a large part of the overall college experience. For one, you get to spend time participating in an activity you enjoy. Depending on your skill level in that activity, you may also qualify to be on the relevant college team.
Participating in extracurricular activities also helps hone a lot of other transferrable skills, from time management and discipline to communication and organizational skills. If you participate in any team activity, you’ll also develop your team-working skills. All of these will contribute to your success in any field.
6. Campus Location
How do you visualize spending time outside the classroom? Do you look forward to spending weekends and free time hiking and mountain biking? Or do you prefer to spend time taking in cultural activities like visiting museums and going to concerts on weekends?
Give some thought to how you’d like to spend your time when you’re not in class or completing homework assignments. If you’re the outdoorsy type, an urban campus may feel stifling after a while. Instead, a rural campus may be better suited for you. On the other hand, if you prefer indoor entertainment, an urban campus may be a better fit for you.
7. Student-Faculty Ratio
While this is not a make-or-break factor, it is something you should consider especially if you need individual attention.
Not everyone needs one-on-one attention from their professor. But if you do, make sure to look for a school with a low student-faculty ratio. This can make the difference between excelling in the classroom and struggling to get by. You cannot expect to get individual attention from your professor in a large classroom with a high student-faculty ratio.
8. Type Of Accommodation
Another important factor of what to look for in a college is the type of accommodation you’ll be staying in. There are usually a number of different options for you to choose from when it comes to your living arrangements.
You may have the option to live in an on-campus dorm and share space with fellow students. The convenient location means you won’t have to travel far to your classes. You’ll also be able to immerse yourself in the hubbub of college life. Last but not least, it could prove cost-effective too.
Alternatively, you might be given the opportunity to live off-campus in privately rented accommodation. This may be a good option for you if you’d prefer to be able to separate yourself from your study environment between classes. However, it could mean you’ll have further to travel and fewer on-campus interactions.
Before you commit to studying at a particular college, make sure it has accommodations that will suit your needs and preferences.
9. Socializing Opportunities
Going to college gives you the opportunity to meet and socialize with a whole host of new and interesting people. If this is particularly important to you, you might want to consider attending a college that offers a good selection of societies, clubs, student organizations, and teams for you to join.
Apart from giving you a way to make friends, taking part in extracurricular activities can also help build up your confidence and skills, and it can be a great addition to your résumé.
10. Total Cost Of College
This is the one last factor that can make or break your choice of college. While you may not want to compromise on your choice of college, you also don’t want to graduate with unmanageable debt. No matter how much you’d love to attend a particular college, it doesn’t make financial sense to take on too much debt just to attend that school.
The key is to find a good balance between what the college offers and how much it costs to attend that college. There is no one decision that’s right for everyone. Consider your financial aid package and how much debt you’ll need to take on before making that final decision.
Choosing a good college can be a daunting prospect. But keeping these 10 factors in mind will guide you through the process and help you make the right decision.
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