Five Steps To Choosing A College

My name is Debbie Ross. The information I have about my journey in finding a college can help both parents and students alike. Going back a few years, I was at the turning point of my life. Graduation from high school was just around the corner and I had no clue which college I was going to attend. My parents had their list of colleges that I could attend, and most of my friends were already being accepted to their college or university. With deadlines for applications approaching, I knew that I had to begin finding a college. Choosing the right college is such an important decision, and so I came up with a game plan to find a college. Here are the steps I took in choosing a college.

1. Choosing my future career

The first step I took was to determine what I liked and what I did not like. I quickly ruled out being a doctor, a lawyer or a dentist. In addition, I knew there were career choices that were out of my league, such as being an architect or engineer. My high school grades proved this! Therefore after a lengthy thought process, I narrowed down my choices to Communications, Journalism, Business Management and Information Technology.

My school counselor also helped me by giving me a Career Assessment Test. This revealed many of my strengths and tendencies. From this, I discovered that I was best suited for Business Management related studies. I highly recommend this. Career Assessment Surveys are not very expensive and can be found through an internet search.

2. Matching courses with colleges

The next thing I did was to list the colleges and universities that offered Business Management studies and had a good track record. I used The Fiske Guide to Colleges. Within a short span of time I came up with a list of 20 colleges that I could see myself in for the next 4 years. All of these colleges had multiple specializations within my field of study, were fully accredited, and had good graduation rates with good reputations. I further narrowed my list down to 14 by selecting those universities which were located near a larger city, one of the criteria that I was looking for in my college.

3. Narrowing it down to my top five

I had above average SAT scores (nothing to take me to Harvard though) and therefore had a wider selection of options for myself. Therefore, my final decision would largely be determined by the funds from my parents, any scholarships or grants, and the money I could earn through on-campus work study. I visited the web sites of each college and took virtual tours of the facilities they offered. Each had its strengths -huge libraries, modern student housing, student body size, a variety of extra curricular activities and sports, and more.

I was able to narrow the list from fourteen to five based on the following criteria: going to college within 4 hours of home, my budget for college, and a smaller student body to offer a more personal approach to my education.

4. Parents and Applications

Next, I got my parents involved in my decision. They had been helping me all along the way, but I needed their help in making the final, important decisions. I showed them the list of 5 colleges that I had, including details, locations, and costs. Together, we narrowed the list to three possible colleges that I could attend. They wanted a college or university which would be easy for them to visit, but would also have excellent teaching and housing facilities. The following weekend I filled out all 3 applications and mailed out them to these colleges and universities. Now it was time to wait for the response.

5. Making the final choice

Within a few weeks, I had received acceptance letters from all the colleges where I sent my applications. In the end, my parents and I decided the best way to make the final decision was to visit the campuses. We took two days to visit all three campuses. Visiting the actual university was vastly different from the virtual tours. My final choice was actually rather easy. I decided on the University of Texas at Austin.

The most important steps along the way for me were to take the Career Assessment Test, researching my college choices online through virtual tours, and sitting down with my parents to discuss which colleges to send applications to. This helped make my final decision easier. I hope these steps can help you in finding a college or university as you make career choices.

Rich Niccolls has been a college recruiter and professor for 12 years. Read his 7 key factors for choosing the right college for you. Visit the Find A College website.

---

The Challenges College Students Face on Secular Campuses

What is happening on the campuses of secular universities across... Read More

Who Can Apply For Online Nursing Degrees?

Online nursing degrees are college degrees in the field of... Read More

Dont Graduate - What Students Should Know About College, But No One Ever Tells Them

For all the students even dreaming about going to college,... Read More

Consolidate Student Loans and Shop Online

If you run a home business, you know that budgets... Read More

College Admissions Essays that Take 1st Place -A Personal Statement Checklist

Congratulations on your move toward a college degree. And congratulations... Read More

Caribbean Single Market and Economy - Who Says UWI isn?t Doing Enough?

The University of the West Indies (UWI) has often been... Read More

Researching the Pros and Cons of Getting Your Degree Online

Are you considering getting your bachelor's or master's or other... Read More

College Study Tips: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Here are some benefits to studying for your college classes... Read More

Aurel Voiculescu Memories From High School

High School Ion Minulescu, Slatina, Graduates 1991.Clasa XII A, Baboi... Read More

The College-Bound Students Early Bird Menu

Many parents and students I counsel confuse Early Admission, Early... Read More

Online Degree Tips - Your Guide To Online Degree Programs

Is an Online Business Degree Right for You?Deciding if an... Read More

Academic Research on the Internet : There Is a Better Way

Students nowadays start their research projects by looking up information... Read More

Balancing College Life and Academics

1. Control Your Schedule; Don't Let Your Schedule Control YouOrganization... Read More

Graduation Quotations - Top 35

"Life is my college. May I graduate well, and earn... Read More

College Low Expectations Game Cost Students, Parents, & Taxpayers Thousands of Dollars

During a recent conversation with a client, he shared with... Read More

College Roommate Personality Clashes: How to Survive

Are you living with your total opposite? It's amazing how... Read More

Business Plan Competitions

The idea of a business plan competition first started in... Read More

College Freshman: How to Get Over Homesickness

Whether you're a freshman or a senior, studying abroad or... Read More

All About Grants for College Students

Grants are a type of student aid that is awarded... Read More

Why You Should Choose an Accredited Online Degree

An accredited online degree is a college degree that is... Read More

Why Pursue Your Degree Online?

Distance education has been around longer than people may realise.... Read More

How to Save Money While at College

Still struggling to pay off the college loan? Have you... Read More

The Oxford Student - Official Student Newspaper

Academics from Oxford University have mathematically proven long held suspicions... Read More

Writing Effective (and Requisite) Essay Openers

When we write for college courses, we write for an... Read More

Creating the Acceptable College Applicant

America's colleges and universities no longer have enough room to... Read More

The Pros and Cons of an Online College Degree

Getting a college degree online seemingly appears to be a... Read More

Internetworking and Security Multiple Choice Test

Personally, I dislike Multiple Choice Tests. Because they do not... Read More

Five Questions To Ask A Computer Training School Before Signing Up

As with any field, there are good technical training schools,... Read More

The All-Important College Application

H.G. Wells once said, "Human history becomes more and more... Read More

Pre-Bachelor

The program should be one term, two terms or three... Read More

Get Your College Degree Online

Have you long wanted or needed to increase your level... Read More

Distance Learning : Get an education while you work!

Distance Learning Makes the GradeDistance Learning might make all the... Read More

Chiropractic Colleges

Before CHIROPRACTIC COLLEGES & SCHOOLS accept one into their educational... Read More