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Additional Notes on Choosing a College
Besides looking at the academic fit of a college and the strength of its financial aid, there are also considerations of personality and lifestyle. Questions such as weather can be very important to some students. A student who has lived entirely in a warm, sunny climate may be miserable in the snowy Northeast. These personal happiness questions may seem inconsequential at first. However, choosing a college that facilitates your personal happiness will greatly enhance your undergraduate years.
Your academic interests and available programs.
Your learning style and the learning style of the school. Things to look at include student to teacher ratio, academic requirements of each school, research opportunities, and accessibility of professors. Some professors may be exceptionally welcoming of students, whereas others may be focused on their research. Explore the feel of the schools on your list.
School size. The size of a school can influence the academic as well as social atmosphere. Do I want to be a big fish in a small pond, or can I swim with big fish in a big pond? Would a big school or a small school benefit me most? This depends on your learning style and what your interests are. In terms of social atmosphere, smaller schools are more intimate and people may have more opportunities to know people better.
Student diversity. You may want to look at the ethnic diversity of the student population, how many students receive financial aid, as well as geographic diversity. These factors can help build a picture of the student body at each school, and this information can generally be obtained from school websites or speaking with admissions offices.
Non-academic opportunities, such as opportunities to participate in musical groups, dance groups, art, etc. What interests you, and do the schools on your list provide an outlet for your extracurricular interests?
Social life considerations, such as on-campus versus off-campus social life, fraternity and alcohol presence on campus.
Urban, suburban, or rural setting. A college in a big city will have a much different atmosphere than a college in a rural setting. Schools in big cities are often integrated into the city, and as a result, may not be as cohesive. On the other hand, the city offers great opportunities to explore and can be very convenient. Schools in rural settings tend to be very cohesive, as social and academic life generally centers around campus.
Distance from home can be a consideration. How often do you want to be able to travel home for visits? Do you take care of family members at home?
Geographic location and weather can be important to many people on a personal level. Each region has its own quirks and personality.
Opportunities to engage in things you personally enjoy. For example, if you are an avid hiker, you may wish to go to a school in an area with plenty of hiking trails.
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