The tiniest things can be the most pivotal while making such a life-changing decision. But really there are just a few questions you need to ask yourself before zeroing in on the perfect college. Here are 10 absolute deal breakers and what you can do to figure out what works for you:
1. “It’s too close to home!”
Getting as far away from home as possible can sound like the best idea when you’re looking to party away your college life. And obviously you don’t want your parents to be close enough to drop in at your dorm! On the other hand, being close to home means mom’s food everyday and not having to leave the friends you grew up with.
Ask yourself: Where do I want to spend the next 4 years? Do I want to stay close to home or explore a whole new state? Are there any places I don’t want to go?
2. “It’s in the back of beyond!”
Even if you do choose a college out of your state, there are several location-based factors to look into. Some colleges are located near cities, others are in small suburbs or towns and some even have wooded forests close-by. Go for one that suits your personality and upbringing. Getting away from the city can be a good change in lifestyle as long as the college suits your other requirements.
Ask yourself: Is it in a small area where the university takes up half the town? Or is it a city college surrounded by clubs, stores, movie theatres and malls?
3. “It’s too small! No one knows about it.”
Larger universities have better options – more classes, more clubs, and better sports facilitates. But smaller ones are known for their more student-friendly environment with better student-to-teacher ratios.
Ask yourself: In which environment would I learn more? Is this school accredited?
4. “But it doesn’t offer dance as a major!”
If they aren’t offering the major you’re interested in, just don’t go! What’s the point of studying in an absolutely fab college if you don’t get to do what you want? That’s one way of looking at it! If you’re confused, start by eliminating what you don’t want to study and then work backwards. You don’t have to decide it all right away – this is just a starting point for your college search.
Ask yourself: Will a degree from this college get me the job I want? Will I earn a certificate, or a 2 year degree, or a 4 year degree? What is their graduation rate?
5. “It’s too expensive!”
Cost is an enormous deal-breaker for so many of us! Look into scholarships, student loans, online programs and part-time courses. Choosing a college should be about the best education and not about the best price. Compare graduation and loan default rates, tuition and expenses, average debt at the school using ED’s college Navigator tool.
Ask yourself: Will spending this much on my education help me earn more? Does my dream job require specific qualifications? How long will it take me to pay back a student loan?
6. “I can’t become the best fashion stylist if I study there!”
If your goal is fairly specific and you aim to be the best in your field, it’s important to choose a college that will give you every opportunity to excel.
Ask yourself: Does this college offer the best placements? Will studying here help me grow only academically? Or will it help me increase my overall competency?
7. “The recruiter won’t leave me alone”
Stay away from colleges that keep hounding you to apply. If the recruiter keeps luring you with dangling carrots, making it difficult for you to think straight, it’s a cue for you to look elsewhere. There’s no reason to let anyone else make this decision for you.
Ask yourself: Is the recruiter giving me enough time to explore my options? Am I facing any pressure to enroll?
8. “But what if I change my mind mid-way?”
You’re not expected to know exactly what you want to do immediately after high school. More than 50% of students change their majors half-way through college, so choose a university that allows flexibility.
Ask yourself: Are my credits transferable if I switch to another school?
9. “I’ve heard the teachers aren’t friendly”
This can be an important one, especially if you aren’t the kind that studies on your own. A professor can make or break your motivation to do well in college. The ratings given to teachers by ex-students can help you make an informed decision. Try reading reviews on RateMyProfessors.com.
Ask yourself: Am I willing to put in extra leg work even if the teacher isn’t? Does my motivation to study XYZ subject come from my great school teacher?
10. “There aren’t any cute girls around!”
You know you’re thinking about it. Even on your campus visit you couldn’t help noticing that there wasn’t a good chance of you dating anyone you saw. So don’t deny yourself a good college dating life. It can be as important to keep you focused on what you want to achieve at college. But going to a Co-ed school just for the cuties might not be the best choice career-wise.
Ask yourself: Does dating distract me or do I study better in pairs?
1. “It’s too close to home!”
Getting as far away from home as possible can sound like the best idea when you’re looking to party away your college life. And obviously you don’t want your parents to be close enough to drop in at your dorm! On the other hand, being close to home means mom’s food everyday and not having to leave the friends you grew up with.
Ask yourself: Where do I want to spend the next 4 years? Do I want to stay close to home or explore a whole new state? Are there any places I don’t want to go?
2. “It’s in the back of beyond!”
Even if you do choose a college out of your state, there are several location-based factors to look into. Some colleges are located near cities, others are in small suburbs or towns and some even have wooded forests close-by. Go for one that suits your personality and upbringing. Getting away from the city can be a good change in lifestyle as long as the college suits your other requirements.
Ask yourself: Is it in a small area where the university takes up half the town? Or is it a city college surrounded by clubs, stores, movie theatres and malls?
3. “It’s too small! No one knows about it.”
Larger universities have better options – more classes, more clubs, and better sports facilitates. But smaller ones are known for their more student-friendly environment with better student-to-teacher ratios.
Ask yourself: In which environment would I learn more? Is this school accredited?
4. “But it doesn’t offer dance as a major!”
If they aren’t offering the major you’re interested in, just don’t go! What’s the point of studying in an absolutely fab college if you don’t get to do what you want? That’s one way of looking at it! If you’re confused, start by eliminating what you don’t want to study and then work backwards. You don’t have to decide it all right away – this is just a starting point for your college search.
Ask yourself: Will a degree from this college get me the job I want? Will I earn a certificate, or a 2 year degree, or a 4 year degree? What is their graduation rate?
5. “It’s too expensive!”
Cost is an enormous deal-breaker for so many of us! Look into scholarships, student loans, online programs and part-time courses. Choosing a college should be about the best education and not about the best price. Compare graduation and loan default rates, tuition and expenses, average debt at the school using ED’s college Navigator tool.
Ask yourself: Will spending this much on my education help me earn more? Does my dream job require specific qualifications? How long will it take me to pay back a student loan?
6. “I can’t become the best fashion stylist if I study there!”
If your goal is fairly specific and you aim to be the best in your field, it’s important to choose a college that will give you every opportunity to excel.
Ask yourself: Does this college offer the best placements? Will studying here help me grow only academically? Or will it help me increase my overall competency?
7. “The recruiter won’t leave me alone”
Stay away from colleges that keep hounding you to apply. If the recruiter keeps luring you with dangling carrots, making it difficult for you to think straight, it’s a cue for you to look elsewhere. There’s no reason to let anyone else make this decision for you.
Ask yourself: Is the recruiter giving me enough time to explore my options? Am I facing any pressure to enroll?
8. “But what if I change my mind mid-way?”
You’re not expected to know exactly what you want to do immediately after high school. More than 50% of students change their majors half-way through college, so choose a university that allows flexibility.
Ask yourself: Are my credits transferable if I switch to another school?
9. “I’ve heard the teachers aren’t friendly”
This can be an important one, especially if you aren’t the kind that studies on your own. A professor can make or break your motivation to do well in college. The ratings given to teachers by ex-students can help you make an informed decision. Try reading reviews on RateMyProfessors.com.
Ask yourself: Am I willing to put in extra leg work even if the teacher isn’t? Does my motivation to study XYZ subject come from my great school teacher?
10. “There aren’t any cute girls around!”
You know you’re thinking about it. Even on your campus visit you couldn’t help noticing that there wasn’t a good chance of you dating anyone you saw. So don’t deny yourself a good college dating life. It can be as important to keep you focused on what you want to achieve at college. But going to a Co-ed school just for the cuties might not be the best choice career-wise.
Ask yourself: Does dating distract me or do I study better in pairs?
