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Choosing A School

Choosing a school or institution to receive more training after high school is a difficult challenge. Here are some things to think about and consider.

1. Degree; does the school offer the degree that I want, and is it recognized as a school that has a solid program in that area. While many schools offer a certain degree, say "engineering", some schools may not have a very good Engineering program, and employers know this. Athletic scholarships students often deal with this issue. A school may offer them a scholarship, but the school does not offer the degree they want. Make sure you can get the degree YOU WANT!

2. Where is it? Where do I want to go to school. You may be searching for a big-time campus, or want more one on one connection you get from a smaller campus. In state or out of state (out of state fees are higher). Focusing on a certain area or type of school narrows your selection choices.

3. Financial Aid Package; how can that school help. Different schools have the ability to offer different things to their students. Check around and see where you are going to get a good deal! (See the Financial Aid Workshop page for more information). 

4. Job Placement; Find out from the school how their graduates do "after" college. Do they get into the best graduate schools? Do they get good paying positions with their degree? Schools should have these statistics on file somewhere. If I am looking at two schools for an engineering degree, and one school places 50% of their graduates and another school places 95% of their graduates, the decision of choosing a school is a little easier.

5. Comfort level. You should visit the top two or three schools you are interested in. See the school, talk to students and staff, get a feel for it. Find a place where you feel you can live and learn for the next four or five years.

6. Start here...Sometimes you may start at one school and then transfer. A Community College, for example, is a good way to get your basic coursework, closer to home and often for fewer dollars. Plan ahead. If you are going to transfer, make sure your credits will transfer from one school to the next, and what classes you should be getting. You do not want to enroll at a new school and find out some coursework from your previous school cannot be used.

There are of course other factors that will help you decide which school to choose. Plan carefully and investigate. 

Make a list of what you are looking for in a school. Your degree field, other areas of study. Perhaps there are certain activities, sports or community events you want you your campus to be a part of. Use the points listed above to come up with some criteria you will use to make your decision.

Next, you should make a list of 8-10 colleges you might be interested in. Through the mail, the internet, and the phone, narrow that list to a "short-list" of 3-5 schools.

Do some more digging, apply at 2 or three schools. Visit them. Once admitted (yes it does cost money to apply at multiple institutions) you can submit financial aid paperwork and then make comparisons.

Don't rush your decision. Take your time and make a good one when "choosing a school".