By Natalie Osorio
Searching for colleges is a significant (and stressful) part of the high school experience. There are several factors you should pay attention to in order to find the perfect college/university for you. Some of these include: researching for relevant academic programs, observing campus culture, reviewing the location, access to financial aid, and availability of scholarships. The most important part of the college search process is searching for relevant academic programs. You must be sure the school you commit to will enrich you with extensive knowledge for a great career ahead. An excellent way to achieve this is by checking the rankings of the school. The “US News” site offers rankings and lists to help you narrow your college search. In the site, you can search by your field of study, or by the college you wish to attend. The Princeton Review’s rankings focus on surveys from college students attending various institutions. They ask students 80 questions relating to academics, student life, fellow classmates and more, then rank these answers. The list is compiled to an overall score for each school, which ultimately ranks the best 380 colleges every year. You can also go to a site such as RateMyProfessors.com for reviews of university faculty. If you want to excel in your field, you must be sure your professors will be able to provide the most insightful experience. Keep in mind, these are biased reviews, so opinions may vary. Another crucial factor to take into account is the campus culture present at the institution. You must be sure the campus makes you feel comfortable and allows you to excel. Luckily, you can experience it by taking a tour! Beforehand, prepare questions to ask the staff and current students. You should also explore a map of the College and highlight the places you want to visit, such as the admissions office or the food court! While on your visit, be sure to ask yourself these questions:
Am I interested in social organizations?
Does a highly competitive environment bring the best in me, or does it not?
Do I prefer a large campus where I meet countless students, or do I prefer smaller campuses where everyone knows everyone?
Do I see myself spending my free time in outdoor activities or does the city-life energize me?
This visit is valuable, and you should make sure you pay attention to all the factors you observe while on your visit. Location is one of the biggest factors to consider when you are searching for a college. The questions battled include: “Do I want to stay in my home state?” Or “Do I want to move away from home?” Your college/university’s location matters because you want to make sure there are efficient utilities around the campus. Are there restaurants, shops, a movie theater, athletic stadium, or other nearby colleges? Do you have to drive far from campus to find the closest pizza place or CVS? If you wanted to get away from campus for the weekend, is there public transportation that gets you to an airport or train/bus station? All of these factors are extremely important as they will determine how accessible activities and opportunities are from you. Think about the location: “Will it help you step out of your comfort zone to take full advantage of what these next years have to offer?” Also, do you feel comfortable here? For example, climate is a big factor. Do you want to stay in a cool, warm, or hot climate? All of these are things you should keep in mind when selecting your college. Financial aid is important to take into account when looking for colleges. College is expensive, and produces thousands of dollars in debt. Having sufficient financial aid would greatly reduce the burden that is created when studying in college. Does your dream school offer scholarships? If you are an outstanding athlete or musically talented, this may be the case. You should visit your school’s financial aid page on its website, or contact the financial aid office. Ask the department if they have scholarships for students in your major. If they do, make sure to fill out the forms before the due date! If not, you can always apply for FAFSA, and make sure you make the deadline! Scholarships are a huge factor to research when deciding which colleges to apply to. If you are talented in any way or excel in a specific field, it may be reasonable for you to apply for scholarships. For example, several schools offer scholarships for practicing your faith, exhibiting certain admirable personality traits, or for your identity. Make sure to ask for letters of recommendation and apply to as many scholarships as you are eligible for!! I hope these tips help you while on your college search. Good luck!!
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