Selecting a college to pursue higher education is an important decision for both students and parents because it will shape the future of the student. There are many important factors to consider when choosing a college, such as the major, admission requirements, cost, location, size, cost, extracurricular activities, graduation rate, and job replacement rate.
To help students and parents narrow down their college search, we’ve created a checklist of important factors to consider:
Contents
- 1. What Major Are You Planning to Pursue?
- 2. What are the Admission Requirements?
- 3. What’s the Cost of Attendance?
- 4. What’s the College’s Location?
- 5. What’s the College’s Size?
- 6. What are the College’s Extracurricular Activities?
- 7. What are the Graduation Rates of the school?
- 8. What is the job placement rate after graduation?
- Final Thought
1. What Major Are You Planning to Pursue?
High quality majors and programs are an important part in your way of choosing a college as it will determine the course of your future education and career. When looking at colleges, research the quality of their majors and programs to make sure they’re a good fit for you.
You can narrow down college choices by selecting the majors you’re interesting.
2. What are the Admission Requirements?
After narrowing down college choices by the majors offered, look at each college’s admission requirements to make sure you’re a good fit. Each college has different admissions requirements, so it’s important to research this ahead of time.
Some colleges use a holistic admissions process, which means they consider more than just your grades and test scores. They may also look at your extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.
3. What’s the Cost of Attendance?
Cost is an important factor to consider when choosing a college. Make sure to research the total cost of attendance, which includes tuition, room and board, books and supplies, and other fees. Some colleges may offer scholarships and financial aid, so be sure to research this as well.
4. What’s the College’s Location?
The location of a college can be important for many students. Some students may prefer to stay close to home while others may want to venture out and explore a new city or state.
Consider your lifestyle and needs when deciding on a college location. Do you need to be close to public transportation? Are you looking for a quiet or bustling environment?
5. What’s the College’s Size?
The size of a college can be another important factor to consider. Some students may prefer a smaller campus while others may feel more comfortable at a large university.
Consider your needs and preferences when deciding on a college size. Do you want a close-knit community or more diversity? Are you looking for more personal attention or more opportunities?
6. What are the College’s Extracurricular Activities?
Extracurricular activities can help you explore your interests, make new friends, and develop leadership skills. Be sure to research the extracurricular activities offered at each college to find the right fit for you.
7. What are the Graduation Rates of the school?
It’s important to know what the graduation rates are because you want to make sure that the school you’re attending is going to help you graduate in a timely manner. No one wants to be stuck in college for longer than they need to be.
8. What is the job placement rate after graduation?
The job placement rate is important to know so you can have an idea of what your job prospects will be like after you graduate. No one wants to spend money on their education only to not be able to find a job in their field.
Final Thought
Choosing a college is an important decision that will shape your future. Be sure to consider all of the factors on this checklist to find the right college for you. We hope this checklist helps you in your journey to choosing a college.
