There
are moments in life – when you’re faced with a decision or a
choice – that feel like they will change everything. This could be
when someone decides on buying their first house or proposing to the
person they love. It’s fair to say that selecting a college also
falls into this category.
If
you’re the type of person who finds relatively small decisions,
such as settling on a new pair of shoes, difficult, picking a college
is going to feel like torture. Yet it’s a choice that needs making,
and it’s one that will have a huge influence over the rest of your
life.
Not
sure about the route you want to take? This quick guide is here to
help so you can select the right college.
Decide
on a subjectLook at admission requirements
The content of a course
Location
There’s
one factor to decide on that is even more essential than the choice
of college itself: the subject
you want to study. After all, you’re going to spend up to six
years studying the subject, and it will then dictate your working
career for the next 40 years or so.
If
you’re unsure about your choice, look into it as much as possible.
Browse the available courses, research what relevant job
opportunities are available, and see the range of salaries on offer.
If that doesn’t help clear anything up – if you’re still
feeling lukewarm about it – then it’s clear the subject isn’t
for you.
For
many students, there are specific colleges that are out of reach.
This could be down to cost or, more likely, due to the admission
requirements in place.
As
a result, you need to analyze these requirements carefully before
settling on a shortlist. The last thing you want to do is have your
heart set on a specific college, only for your application to end
with a rejection letter.
If
you want to go to UC Irvine, for example, check their figures and
statistics. Analyze
the UC Irvine acceptance rate; UC Irvine admission requirements at
CampusReel. This
way, you’ll understand what you need to do to qualify.
You
might have settled on a subject, but there are typically many
different courses and areas within said subject. In general, you will
find variations across different colleges. This could be down to
deviations on topics within the curriculum, or it might be a course
that takes a different angle altogether.
Location
plays a major role in two different ways. Firstly, there is the
distance from your current home to the college. Secondly, there’s
the city or town where the university is located.
As for the first point,
think carefully about how far away you want to go. If you want to
remain close to home, see what universities are available within your
home town or state. Staying in-state, or living at home while you
study, may also have cost-saving implications. What if you’re ready
to fly the nest? Then you might want to venture to the other side of
the country or
even abroad.
When
it comes to the college’s location, decide on the type of
environment that works best for you. Do you want to stay in a large,
vibrant city? Maybe you’ll be more suited to a quiet town? When the
location matches your personality, you will feel more comfortable and
ready to get to work.
CONVERSATION