Questions to Consider

Athletics

  1. Does the school offer intramural and varsity sports?
  2. How are the sports facilitated?
  3. Are athletic scholarships available?
  4. Are “walk-ons” allowed?

Location

  1. Do I want to stay at home, or in the state?
  2. Is there another part of the country I am interested in?
  3. Is it important for me to visit home frequently?
  4. Am I interested in a “college town”, urban or rural setting?

Housing and Resources

  1. What is the quality of dorm life?
  2. Is housing guaranteed?
  3. Do I have to live on campus?
  4. What kind of living arrangements are available (private room, double room, suites, apartments)?
  5. Are cooking facilities available?
  6. Is a meal plan required?

Cost

  1. What can I reasonably afford? What can my parents contribute?
  2. Am I willing to go into debt? How much?
  3. What kinds of financial aid are offered?
  4. What kinds of financial aid will I qualify for (scholarships, merit awards, need based grants, subsidized loans, non-subsidized loans)?
  5. Are there jobs available on or around campus?

Making A Decision

  1. Track up to 25 schools.
  2. Compare the pros and cons of each school according to your criteria.
  3. Group school choices by your chance of being admitted.
  4. Reach Schools: Schools that represent an admission challenge either in terms of cost, admission requirements or both.
  5. Mid-Range Schools: Schools where you are likely to get in but are not quite sure.
  6. Safe Schools: Schools where you are sure to be admitted and know you can afford.
  7. Make your final list.
  8. Include schools from each category. Rank them in order of preference.
  9. Get organized.
  10. Compile a list of required forms and deadlines
  11. Follow your high school’s guidelines on obtaining recommendations and transcripts.
  12. Submit required forms.
  13. If possible visit all schools on final list.

Curriculum

  1. What do I want to study?
  2. Am I interested in a career that requires professional certification?
  3. Does the school I am considering provide necessary training?
  4. Do I want to take advantage of special programs, like study abroad and internships?

Quality of Education

  1. How much contact do I want with my professors?
  2. How much does it matter to me whether professors or graduate students teach my courses?
  3. What support services are available?
  4. Will I have an advisor in my department?
  5. Are counseling services (personal, academic, career) offered?
  6. What is the student to instructor ratio?

Size

  1. Am I interested in attending a large or small school?
  2. Do I want to be on a big campus or a small campus?
  3. How big are the classes (general education and major courses)?

Admissions Requirements

  1. What does the school require for admissions?
  2. Which exams are required?
  3. What are the average scores of students who are accepted?
  4. What does the school look for in a prospective student in terms of community, volunteer, extracurricular activity and work involvement?
  5. What percentage of students are accepted?

Facilities and Service

  1. What would I like to see on or near my campus?
  2. How important are things like restaurants, shops, health clubs, laundry facilities, computer labs, library and research facilities, athletic facilities?
  3. How accessible is transportation on and around campus?
  4. Does the school offer job or internship placement?

Campus Life

  1. How is life outside the classroom?
  2. What special interest groups, activities, or fraternities / sororities am I planning to be involved in?

Campus Security / Safety

  1. What is the local community like?
  2. How safe is the campus and surrounding neighborhoods?
  3. What are security procedures in residence halls and on campus?
  4. What crimes (theft, sexual assault, rape) have been reported?
  5. Is alcohol allowed on campus?

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