Choosing a college isn't easy. There are many to pick from, and while this will be narrowed down depending on the number of acceptance letters you receive, it's still important to determine the right college for you. After all, you are going to be spending the next few years of your life there, so you don't want to make a mistake that lands you in a college you might only want to drop out of later!
To help you make the right choice, avoid the following mistakes.
Mistake #1: Not following your best interests
Don't be swayed by the opinion of others. Everybody will have advice for you, from your parents to your boy/girlfriend, but the college has to be right for you. Yes, your parents might suggest the college they went to when they were younger, and yes, your partner might suggest the college they are going to themselves, but if the college doesn't tick all of the right boxes for you on an academic level, then you need to follow your own mind.
Remember; you are looking to get into the college of your dreams, not that which befits the dreams of others. Your parents will have to like or lump your choice, and if your relationship is strong, your partner should understand your needs too! Ask for advice by all means, especially from your teachers, but always follow your best interests with your final decision.
Mistake #2: Not researching the college beforehand
When choosing a college, you don't want to rush into a decision. Sure, you might have heard good things about a place from others, but you need to make sure it both fits your academic and social needs, and that is has a high graduation rate. Go online, and find out as much as you can about the colleges and universities you are interested in.
Visit their websites to get a handle on what they have to offer students. Look for the opinion of students on college social media sites. Visit sites such as USNews.com who highlight grad school rankings, as we discovered when researching Grand Canyon University nursing courses. The more information you find, the better, as this will help you to make an informed choice.
Mistake #3: Not taking the time to visit the college
Don't rely on the college brochure or website to inform your decision. You will only get unrealistic and biased accounts on what the college is like, so do make the effort to visit. This particularly applies to any colleges who conduct their admission interviews over the phone or on Skype, as you will have less incentive to visit beforehand.
It also applies when you're initially applying for colleges, as you don't want to waste your time applying for courses and attending interviews at institutions that don't cut the proverbial mustard for you. So, campus interview or not, make the effort to get a first-hand look at the college. Book appointments with the tutors specializing in your field.
Take advantage of campus tours. Speak to other students. And immerse yourself in the atmosphere; getting an overall feel of the college so you can more closely determine if this is the best place for you or not!
Finally
You will be spending around 3-4 years at the college of your choosing, and possibly even longer, so be mindful of the mistakes we mentioned. As we suggested at the beginning, you don't want to realize your mistakes further down the line, as you might then be forced to drop out, or, at the very least, continue your studies in a place you are unhappy with.
Let us know what you think, and if you have any wise words for any of our readers, perhaps from your college experiences, please educate us with your wisdom.
