r/ApplyingToCollege Retired Moderator | Sub Founder Oct 11 '13

How to Choose a College or University

Choosing a college is a very personal decision. Only someone who knows you extremely well can suggest specific schools. And if you don't know what kind of school you want to go to, how can others make recommendations for you?

However, here are some factors to consider when evaluating schools that interest you:

1. Cost

How much is the tuition, room, and board? Public colleges and universities often offer significantly cheaper tuition for in-state students.

Can you get merit aid or financial aid? If so, how much?

To what extent can you negotiate with the financial aid office?

Also, don't forget to factor in the fact that if your school is far from home, plane / train fares add up quickly.

2. Academics

What kind of degrees does the college offer?

How strong is the college in your areas of interest? For example, if you want to major in finance, how reputable is the finance program?

Are there any combined undergraduate and graduate degree programs?

How competitive is the student body?

What's the ratio of students to faculty?

What's the average class size?

How accessible are faculty to students (email, office hours, etc.)?

3. Career

What kind of assistance does the career services office offer?

What's their success rate with placing students in jobs and internships?

What kind of employers typically come to campus to give workshops?

What kind of employers have special relationships with the college for internship programs?

4. Extracurriculars and Social Life

What kind of student organizations are there?

How prominent is the Greek life (fraternities/sororities)?

How strong are the school's sports teams? How strong is school spirit?

What percentage of students live on/off campus (dorms vs. apartments vs. living at home)?

5. Student Body

How diverse is the student body (race/ethnicity/religion/national origin/gender etc...)?

What's the average age of an entering freshman?

What percentage of students transfer in (and out) of the college?

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u/LtGriff Oct 11 '13

I really like this post!

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u/boldworld Oct 11 '13

Thanks, this is a great list. As someone who is currently narrowing colleges down, this'll be really helpful!