Tips on Choosing the Right School for You

For Dorothy, there was only one yellow brick road in Oz and this was indeed the path she should take in order to get home. Unfortunately for future college students each school represents a possible yellow brick road and there’s no Good Witch, Wizard, or a pair of ruby slippers to help them determine the ideal college for them. Rather, they have no choice but to rely on their own powers of deduction in order to choose the right school.

Tips on Choosing the Right School for You
Choosing the right school is one of the momentous decisions an individual has to make in life. If you’re facing the same situation right now, don’t hesitate to ask your parents, friends, and teachers for advice. In the end however it’s your wishes and dreams that must strongly count.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE IN THE FUTURE?
This is the number one question you need to answer. Although you can still end up choosing the right school even if you’re presently undecided as to what career to pursue, the chances of getting into the best school for your needs will improve if you have an idea of what you want to do in the future. The earlier you think about this question the better because you can then focus on evaluating your choice and see if it’s truly the right decision.

Having a general idea as to what you wish to be in the future will allow you to narrow your choices to colleges or universities that are known for providing excellent education in the field you’re interested in.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO TO PASS?
Never forget to ask about the school’s requirements from future students. Does the admission board rely greatly on SAT scores in evaluating the application of a student? Will you have to show active participation in extra curricular activities in high school or will they only be interested in your academic standing?

VARIETY OF DEGREES OFFERED
In the event that you still feel undecided about your future career, you should then ensure that the college you’ll get into will allow you to choose from the widest selection of degrees. Switching schools can be quite tedious so it’s best that you get into a college which will allow you to switch degrees with relative ease.

TYPE OF STUDENTS
College will require you to fraternize with a whole new set of peers. If possible, visit the colleges that you’re interested in to determine the type of students they have enrolled. This is especially important if you’re not comfortable studying in a school where you’re one of the minorities. Consider the race, educational and family background of the majority of the students and ask yourself if you’re comfortable with what you see.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Extra-curricular activities nowadays play an almost equally important role in getting you the job you want in the future. Thus, it’s important to see whether the college you have your eye on can offer you the opportunities you need to broaden your knowledge and improve your skills and abilities outside the classroom.

DISTANCE
Will you be comfortable with studying far away from home – or abroad even – or does certain circumstances prevent you from choosing any school that’s not located in your town or state? If you already have a job, will attending a distant school affect your job schedule? If you’re amenable to studying at a distantly located school, consider the housing options provided. Are you okay living with a roommate? How much are you going to spend for housing needs?

COSTS
Lastly, consider the expected costs. How much is the school charging for the degree you’re particularly interested in? How many years will it take you to graduate? Can you afford to pay the tuition you’ll be charged with? What payment options are provided by the school for students with financial difficulties? Is there any way for you to qualify for discounts or scholarships?
In the event that the tuition fees being charged by the school you’re most interested in is presently beyond your means, don’t give up just yet. Ask your high school counselor for suggestions as to how you can come up with the necessary funds in order to attain your dreams.