1.Cost: The cost of tuition, room and board. Is the college or university located in an area that is considered expensive? What types of financial aid is available? Will you eventually be living off campus and need a car and will you have enough money for food, rent, and other costs?
2.Location: Think about how and where you would be most comfortable living while in college, close to home, in a dormitory or apartment? Is the weather a concern or of interest to you? Consider the environment in the area and think about what activities you may want to experience.
3.College Programs of Study: Don’t waste time and money, give careful thought and consideration to what you would like to do in your future career, think about what and how you like to learn things. Learn about the requirements for the program of study, the subjects required for completion, and any other mandated graduation requirements. Considering graduate school, will it be required and or beneficial for the profession or your future career choices?
4.Extracurricular Activities: What sports are you interested in and are you interested in joining and playing these sports? Perhaps you are interested in performing arts, does the college have a theater program, music, and dance offerings? What interests you, debate clubs, a fraternity or sorority and keep in mind activities and involvement are looked at in a resume and they complement the ideas of leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
5.Size: Larger colleges usually offer more classes and sections of classes, there are also more students in each class. Smaller colleges may offer fewer courses and sections of classes. There are less students in each class and this may provide for individual attention and possibly having more interaction with instructors. Be sure to register for the required classes, don’t wait for the last minute.
6. Room and Board: What is the housing situation on the campus and what are the dorms like? What meal plans are available and are parking permits needed? Remember whether you live on or off campus, apartments, dorms, and meals are additional expenses.
7.Facilities: Many college campuses have fitness centers, recreational centers, and pools. Check to see if there are fees for the use of these. Check out computer labs to see if the technology is up-to-date and if any fees are charged for the use of computers, faxing, and printing.
8.Campus Environment: Going to college is more than just sitting in class, so take a good look at the overall campus environment. Are there nearby communities and on campus activities on weekends? At many colleges and in the neighboring communities there are also religious services.
9.Diversity: There are many colleges that you may want to check out that are all male or all female and there are many that are co ed. Perhaps this may be an important consideration for your choice of college. You need to think about diversity and how there are so many different cultures and nationalities in both colleges and the workplace today.
10.Retention and Graduation Rates: Does the college have a high completion rate or a high dropout rate? Colleges with good student retention and graduation rates are indicators of satisfaction and quality. You can ask about the percentage of four-year graduates and the number of graduates employed in their chosen field.
11.College Fairs: Many colleges offer career placement opportunities for part time employment, internships, career advising, and interviewing techniques. Check out the career services department and learn about what they offer and perhaps the employment opportunities that companies have made available to the students at the college. College Work Fairs are a good way to learn about companies and employment and internship opportunities. Spending time at College Work Fairs can provide you with knowledge and insight about companies that are interested in the programs at the college and with the graduates and students.
12. Know Your Investment: Be a good consumer, you are making a kind of purchase and investment for your future. College graduates earn more money than those without a degree. Understand that educational institutions provide many high-quality opportunities inside the classroom and with those that are related activities and programs of study. It is your responsibility to get involved, learn what you have determined to be important for your career and future. Whenever possible, find ways to help with the finances of college, part-time jobs, competitions, professional organizations, paid internships, scholarships, and grants. You will not regret the learning experiences you can gain from all of these. Remember, going to college is an investment in you.
Make Good Choices and Best of Luck in All You Do
Dr. Joanne Leoni
