"Which college will help you make the most of your natural abilities and interests,
and get you ready for life?" - Barron's Profiles of American College 2017
SELECTING A SCHOOL
Qualifying 'Guidelines' for Selecting a School
Aside from Admissions Competitiveness and the (in-state vs. out-of-state) Cost of Tuition & Fees other criteria that you may want to consider when selecting a college might include:
Council for Christian Colleges & Universities
Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities
Historically Black Colleges & Universities
| Large - | Small - |
| May offer medical, law or other doctorate programs as well as bachelor's and master's degrees. | May not offer as many majors as a larger institution. |
| Facilities may include larger libraries and laboratories as well as more computers and special resources than smaller schools. | A smaller student population often means less competition for course enrollment and use of college facilities such as the library, computer labs, gyms, etc. |
| Larger schools and universities emphasize research. | Smaller schools allow students an opportunity to get to know the college (ie: the campus, professors and other students) more personally as well as offer more individualized attention. |
| An emphasis on research usually means additional fees are needed for labs and research, as a result the cost to attend could be higher than at a smaller school. | Students are not as 'anonymous' as they might be at larger schools. |
| Larger schools can provide a rich cultural, social and usually more diverse environment as well as more sports and extracurricular activities than a smaller school. | A smaller school may not offer as many spectator sports, music opportunities or special interests [groups] for the very simple reason that a smaller population generates less interest. |
Explore the campus on your own. Your parents may want to talk to a financial aid counselor about scholarships, grants, and loans. The Office of Academic Affairs can help with your questions about courses or the faculty. The Office of Student Affairs is in charge or residence halls, health services, and extracurricular activities. Also consider visiting the Registrar’s Office to see how they talk to students? And, talk to students already enrolled to find out if that college will suit you intellectually and socially.
How to Plan Your College Visit [study.com]
Direct questions about faculty and other academic matters to the specific department or to the office that coordinates academic advising.
Class size can determine the amount of individual attention each student receives. Refer to Barron's Profiles of American College 2017 for average class sizes (ie: by courses, lecture / lab settings).
Also research what kinds of internships, scholarships, grants and career services are available to students.
Barron's Profiles of American College 2017 encourages students who live off campus to use libraries and other facilities and eat lunch in the dinning hall 'periodically.'
Does the school community have things that are important to you culturally and that meet the traditions that you think are important? Are there accommodative services available for Leaning Disabilities?
Click on the link below to search the library's online catalog.
College students with disabilities -- United States.
For International Students, does the school have an online guidance counselor that can help you get your Visa? Is ESL tutoring available? Does the school provide information about host families or a community friend program?
Accreditation - The general standards of academic quality established by associations of colleges and universities. Accreditation criteria include: standards for admission of students, faculty qualifications, content of courses, grading standards, professional success of alumni, adequacy of libraries / laboratories / computers, and other support facilities, administrative systems and policy decision making, and financial support.
Libraries & Computer Technology - Bigger may not always be better... "collection size is important, but only in relations to the variety and level of programs offered." - Barron's Profiles of American College 2017
Except for rare books, bound journals and special collections, are the main stacks open to students; browsing the shelves can save students from waiting on lines. What is the library's policy on course reserves, recalling an item, journals, reference materials for assignments and computer / printer use? Does the school offer a reduced rate if you purchase a new computer on campus. Is wireless (internet and printing) available on campus and in the residence halls?
