Evaluation Process

Things to Consider Before Selecting a College

There are a number of different criteria that you should consider before deciding on a college. Don't just pick a school because you think you you'll look good dressed in purple and yellow or blue and white, etc. Listed below are some of the things you may want to consider before deciding on the school you will attend for the next four (or more) years of your life.

• Curriculum - Does the school offer a variety of different classes? Do they offer the major and program of study that you are interested in pursuing?

 

• Quality of education - Is the college well-known for academics? What percentage of students graduated high school at the top of their classes? How many National Merit finalists or semi-finalists choose the college?

 

• Size - Are you looking for a big school or a smaller one? Consider that a larger school will probably have larger classes and a larger teacher to student ratio than a smaller school. A large school may have facilities and opportunities not offered at a smaller school.

 

• Admission Requirements - What are the admissions counselors looking for? What GPA are they looking for? Do they have a minimum required SAT or ACT score? Are they looking for students who participated in extracurricular activities? Will you need to write an essay? Will you need to collect letters of recommendation? Will you have to do an interview?

 

• Facilities - Does the school have the facilities you are looking for? Do they have a fitness center? How many libraries are on campus? Does the school have different places to eat or just one cafeteria? Is there a student lounge? If you are studying the sciences, do they have up-to-date laboratories, etc.?

 

• Campus Life - What activities, clubs, etc. are offered on campus? How diverse is the student population? What social options are available on campus and in the surrounding areas? Can you bring your car? How will you get around campus?

 

• Campus Security - Is the campus safe? What is the crime rate on the campus and in the surrounding areas of town? Do they have security? Good lighting? Consider that a big city probably has a greater potential for crime than a smaller town.

 

• Athletics - Do you want to play a sport in college? Do they offer the sports you are interested in? Does the college offer scholarships for athletics?

 

• Location - Are you looking for a college located in a big city, a small town or something in between? Do you want to attend college in your home state or go to an out-of-state school? Is the college near supermarkets and other shopping centers? How far away from home are you willing to live?

 

• Housing and Resources - Are you planning to live on campus? What types of dorms are available? Co-ed or not? Are freshmen guaranteed to get housing? What percentage of students live off campus?

 

• Retention and Graduation Rates - How many students will graduate without transferring? How many students graduate within four or five years? What are the reasons given for transferring? What is the drop-out rate?

 

• Cost - What is the Total Cost of Education? Is it something you can afford? What price range are you looking for?

 

• Job Placement - What is the school's job placement percentage? How many students get a job in their field after graduation?

 

• Religious Affiliation - Are you looking for a school tied to a certain religion (i.e. Catholic, Jesuit, Jewish)?

This list should be a good start to help you narrow down your school options. Click here to use our free college search to help you find a school suited to your needs.