Freshmen may find themselves out of place if they’ve chosen the “wrong” college. Luckily, with some research and campus visits, you’re not likely to end up with a bad match. Here are some criteria to think about as you narrow down your choices.
LOCATION
College is a time for students to exert their independence, and because of this, many choose a school at least a few hours from their hometowns. This distance provides freedom and an opportunity to be immersed in the college atmosphere while still maintaining a relatively close proximity to family and friends. “My college wasn’t too far from home, but it was just far enough that I could be my own man and do my own thing,” says Alex Yarbrough, a senior at Florida State University.
Some people choose to venture even farther from home to attend college. If you’re thinking about a drastic change in location, consider things like the climate and travel costs. How do you feel about humidity or blizzards? Are you comfortable staying on campus every weekend, and can you afford to buy plane tickets home for the holidays?
Wherever you go, look into the housing options. Most colleges have at least one residence hall, but urban campuses often have more commuters, which can affect the feel on campus at night and on weekends. (In other words, there might not be anything to do on weekends!)
When considering the location of a college, determine how you’ll get around as well. Is there public transportation, do you need a car or can you walk where you need to go? Large residential campuses are often so robust that students living on campus never need to leave. Keep in mind that many schools don’t permit freshmen to have cars.
Think about what studying in a city, suburban or rural environment can offer you. “I knew that I wanted to be in the city,” says Robbie Torres, a senior at Marymount Manhattan College studying theatre arts with a concentration in performance. “There are amazing theatre programs throughout the country, but I chose to live in the city because of the networking opportunities.”
Clarissa Baquiran, a sophomore at Queens College in New York City, made a conscious decision to attend a college close to home. “Living in dorms helps with the campus experience, but I prefer staying at home just because I’m so involved with my community,” she says. “I can still remain active in my extracurricular activities outside of school.”
ACADEMICS
There’s no doubt that strength in your intended major is a very important factor in selecting a college.
“I was looking for a school that was known for its pre-med program,” says Kristen Russell, a junior at Kettering University studying mechanical engineering with a specialty in bioengineering. “I have wanted to go to medical school since an early age, and I carefully analyzed the pre-med program at each school I considered.”
Of course, many schools are strong in a number of majors and programs. Do your research to find the ones that specialize in yours. If you’re undecided about your major, look for a school that offers many fields of study, then try out different classes to see what truly piques your interest.
Consider the academic rigor of the school. Getting accepted into an ultra-competitive school means you really stood out among all the applicants. But remember, if you plan on going to a graduate or professional school, your undergraduate GPA and class rank will be important, so take into account the competition you’ll have when making your selection.
There are countless lists published each year that rank the best colleges in certain academic fields, but don’t get hung up on these numbers. There are many great schools out there that can better meet your needs (such as for strength in major, financial aid availability, location, student mix, etc.). And just because they aren’t “top ranked” doesn’t mean you can’t get a really good education.
FINANCIAL AID
One of the most important factors is the availability of financial aid. This can make the cost of attending college affordable. In general, you’ll pay less at public schools than private schools, and attending an in-state college is usually more cost-effective than going out of state.
However, there are lots of ways to finance a college education, so don’t let your perfect school pass you by just because it’s expensive. “Look for schools that offer financial aid,” Torres says. “My family was in no position to send me to a private college in New York City. However, Marymount Manhattan College offers over 85 percent of its students financial aid and scholarship money.” Many other schools also offer significant financial aid. Check out our article “Score Cash for College” (page 54) to find out more about obtaining scholarships and other financial aid.
If you’ll have to work to help finance your college education, then you’ll want to consider what employment opportunities will be available on or near campus.
ATMOSPHERE AND ENVIRONMENT
“I really wanted the traditional college experience,” Yarbrough says. To him, this meant finding a large college with a positive vibe and a family-like feel. For other students, the perfect atmosphere might include small classes with low teacher-to-student ratios or those with Ivy League status. It might revolve around a booming athletics program brimming with school spirit, or encompass an intimate atmosphere where students are responsible for in-depth research projects.
Every student has a different definition of what the perfect college environment is, but most agree that you’ll know it once you find it. If you’ll be “lost” in a large university, than a smaller school may be best for you. If you’ll be bored in a small town or solitary campus, check out some schools in metropolitan settings.
Though you may have some ideas about what makes up the ideal atmosphere for you, it’s essential to visit your prospective colleges. “Get a feel for the campus,” Yarbrough says. “A lot of it is just a feeling … Something that tells you, ‘this is where I want to be for the next four years.’”
STUDENT LIFE
For some students, college is simply about getting an education, but for others, it’s about experiencing a new way of living. If you want to embrace the college experience, examine the student life aspects of a school. Look into opportunities for extracurricular activities, student government, volunteering and intramural sports. Russell is involved in the Kettering student senate and academic council and is also a resident assistant in the dorms. She adds, “The best suggestion I have is to figure out how much time you have because, unfortunately, you can’t do everything.”
Joining a fraternity or sorority and “going Greek” is another way to experience college. Some colleges have robust Greek systems while others don’t have any houses at all. “For me, [joining the Greek system] really shrunk down the school,” says Yarbrough, who is a member of Theta Chi. “It’s a small community that provides support and networking opportunities.”
Other things related to student life that you might want to consider include choosing between a single-sex college versus a co-ed one (and how that affects student life policies) and looking into campus ministries or faith-based schools if spirituality is important to you.
As tempting as it is to follow your best friend, high school sweetheart or sibling to their college of choice, you’re better off choosing a school based on your own evaluation. Start with some online research, read what other freshmen say about the school, then plan a campus visit if you can. No amount of facts, factors or rave reviews can tell you more than your instincts. Go with your gut and you can’t go wrong!
JoAnna Haugen is a freelance writer and travel blogger based in Las Vegas.
