Where would you like to attend to college? Would you like to attend a small intimate college or a large university? Does cost matter? Would you qualify for financial aid? The process of selecting of a college or a university is a tremendous challenge, but with a few guidelines, you will be able to make a decision that is right for you.

Size matters

The size of the college that you plan to attend could make or break your academic performance. Some students strive in an atmosphere where they get more one-on-one attention from instructors. Other students prefer the anonymity associated with a large university. Larger universities also tend to have more programs and activities available to students. Smaller universities allow you to get to know your professors and classmates. You may also find that professors are more accommodating when you are more than a number or a face in the crowd. Smaller class sizes also give professors the flexibility to have specialized labs or activities for students. Your class may organize gatherings, class-wide study groups, or parties.

College or university?

Are you interested in attending a two-year college or a four-year university? Oftentimes the tuition at community colleges or technical schools are less expensive than at four-year universities. Some students opt to begin their education at a community college and later transfer to a university. The money you save could be substantial, especially if you decide to live at home with your parents. Community colleges and technical schools have applied programs that allow you enter the work world sooner. If you are the type of student who would prefer to dive right into your major or learn a trade rather than theory, a community college may be the way to go.

Courses of study

What do you plan to study? Try to choose a university that will give you a good education in your selected major. Most schools have biographies of the faculty members on their web sites. Hopefully their backgrounds will fall in line with your own career goals. Professors who have applicable work experiences in your selected field will give you both theoretical and practical knowledge that you would need to succeed. Conducting a little research on prospective professors could also increase your chances of locating a good mentor with professional connections among people within your major.

Academic programs in four-year universities are not created equally. Your school should be accredited in your chosen field. For example, if you plan to become a teacher, you can ask the Education department at the school if it is accredited. Obtaining a degree at a school with a good reputation in your major of choice may help your chances in landing a well-paying job after graduation. Every year U.S. News and World Report ranks schools by major as well as other factors. You can also ask the advice of professionals in your field of study. Find out if the faculty members in the major you plan to pursue are active members of local and national professional organizations.

Online or brick and mortar?

Several colleges and universities have online components. Some schools are totally online. Although obtaining degrees from schools that are accredited and solely online, can be convenient, remember that in some fields employers’ mindsets are slow to change, and they do not look favorably on online educations. However, online programs can be as rigorous as brick and mortar programs. If you decide to obtain a degree through online coursework, you need to make sure that you have the time and dedication to earn a degree through independent study. Students who are successful in online study are highly dedicated and deadline oriented. Unless the online university has a local branch with students in your area, it may be difficult for you to get to know your classmates on a personal basis or meet them in study groups. You can chat with your classmates or post discussions on bulletin boards, but you must be comfortable sharing ideas and learning with people and professionals whom you may never see in person. Undergraduate online programs are more common than master’s degrees and doctorate programs, but these programs do exist. There are dozens of online master’s programs, but relatively few online doctorate programs based in United States. If you are interested in a career in academia, keep in mind that times are changing, but some universities are still slow to hire tenure-track professors with degrees from online programs.

Beach, city, or suburbs?

Imagine attending school in the warmth of sunny Florida. You can study on the beach and play outdoor sports year-round. Are you interested in the fast-paced life in New York City? Perhaps you are interested in the laid-back California style? Location is important when choosing a school. You may also want to consider the proximity to your home town. You can attend a local college and save money by living at home. Often, attending an out-of-state college means paying additional, hefty fees for out-of-state tuition. You would also have to factor in the costs for traveling home for the holidays. Sometimes dorms are closed during school vacations, so you will have to find a place to store your private belongings during summer breaks. Alternatively, you can haul everything with you.

Transportation

How will you get around while you are in school? Will you need to take a bus or a taxi to do your grocery shopping? Is there a good bus or metro system nearby? Schools in the suburbs may have hourly transportation systems, but schools in larger cities may have bus and rail systems that travel every few minutes as well as overnight. Some universities do not allow freshman students to have cars on campus. So, if you are not going to use the school’s meal plan, you would have to factor in the transportation costs associated with food, shopping, and recreation.

Finances

Consider the financial aid package that you may be eligible to receive at the school. Most colleges and universities have substantial private scholarships for students who study in a specific major. Contact the financial aid departments as well as your major’s department for a list of private scholarships. You can also work on campus through federal work study programs to help pay your way through college. If you are seeking a master’s degree, graduate assistantship programs may come with a stipend and/or free tuition.

Finally, you must take your previous academic record in consideration when applying to colleges. Do you fulfill at least the minimum requirements? Apply to at least three schools, including one school that you are pretty certain that may admit you. Adhere to all deadlines; apply early if you are seeking financial aid.