Choosing A School

Once you begin high school, it is time to start thinking about where you want to go to college. Talk to your guidance counselor your freshman year to get the ball rolling. There are endless options available to you, and narrowing down the list can be intimidating and frustrating. When choosing a school, consider location, size, cost, requirements, programs and majors.

Location:

I know a guy from Pennsylvania who chose Montana State University because no one else from his high school was going there. It also had the program he wanted, but getting far, far away was a major factor. If being able to come home every weekend is important to you, consider proximity when choosing a school. Attending a college in the state you already live in has its benefits; lower tuition for in-state students, closer to mom and homecooked meals, familiarity with the town's resources, etc. Still, there is something exciting about going somewhere totally different, where you barely know anyone. College is a challenging place to explore and figure out who you are. Make sure you end up where you feel comfortable doing so.

Size:

Can you handle a lecture hall with over 200 students where a professor instructs class through a microphone? Is that an effective way for you to learn? Or do you prefer classrooms where the student-to-teacher ratio is much smaller? Consider the size of the student body when choosing a school. Look into your major; how many students will be in your class? Figure out if you can learn in a giant classroom or if you are more comfortable in a smaller class.

Cost:

Have a discussion with your parents about how you are going to pay for college. If they give vague answers like, “Oh, we’ll figure it out,” or “We’ll find a way to make it happen,” assume that “we” is actually “you” and start applying for scholarships. If you get more detailed answers, for example, your parents or guardians have a set amount they’re willing to put toward your tuition every semester, then great! Form a plan from there. The important thing is that you at least try to have a serious discussion understanding your financial situation. This could be tough for some, but at the end of the discussion, ideally, each party will know how much tuition they are responsible for.

College is expensive. Once you have some idea of how much you will be expected to cover, talk to a financial aid advisor. Look into the employment rate of recent graduates. Find out if the college you are interested in offers career counseling. Consider tuition costs and your expected starting salary when applying for a school. If your expected starting salary is $30,000 and you’re going to have to borrow over $60,000, you may want to go somewhere more affordable.

Requirements:

This category encompasses a lot. Requirements mean everything from what it takes to get into the school to what it takes to graduate. Do you have the grades to get in to your field of choice? Have you taken all of the required classes? How long will it take you to graduate? What classes will you need to complete your major? Do you have to uphold a certain GPA? Are there outside factors, like internships and study abroad programs, that will have to be completed in order to graduate? Talk to an academic advisor, a guidance counselor, and other students in your field. They will know what will be demanded of you each semester.

Programs and Majors:

This may seem obvious, but look at all the programs and majors offered at the schools you are interested in. In my aforementioned example, a friend initially chose Montana State because it was so far away. Still, it would have been completely pointless to go to a college that didn’t offer a degree he was interested in. You may love the beach, but if that’s all your dream west coast college has to offer, you’re going to waste a lot of time and money. Have a few ideas of what you want to study, and pick a school that has merited programs in those fields. Even if you’re sure you want to be an art teacher, be open to the possibility that your mind could change, and have a backup plan. Consider the curriculum and how easily you could transfer if this school doesn’t work out. Stay true to yourself. If you love theater, study theater! Your education will be a lot more fulfilling (and you will be more likely to succeed) if you take classes you are actually interested in. You just have to make sure your school offers them.