Not specific to MT but an interesting read:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brennanbarnard/2020/03/17/the-covid-college-choice-how-to-pick-a-college-during-a-global-pandemic/
Great link to list of school extending student deadline to accept offers.
Good read.
“Dig deep into each college’s website.” (I’d make that “deeply.”)
Some institutions carry a great deal of real information and not just ads while others do not. Do spend time on the actual college website. Many questions are asked, e.g. the strength of a department, when a website can yield a good deal of meaningful information including a rich tapestry of research interests and academic/professional background on every faculty member… not just a few researching stars. Many of these questions show up on CC when helpful and specific backgrounds information are available on the university website.
Anyone interested in “gluten free” water?
Sort facts from general advertising gloss. This exercise is akin to flipping away from the advertising glitz on the front of a supermarket package and reading the actual ingredients. Take time to do your research and you will be able to tailor questions more specific to your interests. This brings about personal discovery.
Note how most universities, including many with outstanding academic opportunities, are not well known nationally. Don’t expect your local friends to be impressed if you name a university they have never heard about. Division one football teams earn public awareness, but may of may not have your best specific academic opportunities. From a university marketing perspective these teams are cost effective advertising tools which may or may not fit in with your plans to grow carrots on the moon! In many universities they are powerful “school spirit” tools, but do look into the specifics of their majors and course/major selection process.
Do your homework and don’t just rely on the local buzz. CC can help to fill the gap.
I do find college websites very helpful and they do offer a lot of useful information, including degree requirements, curriculum, sample course selections.
But for the most part the webpages don’t convey what the culture / feel is like within a BFA program and they also stay away from anything they don’t want you to “know” about their programs – issues / challenges that students may typically face – e.g., difficulty signing-up for certain classes, typical commute times, variance among voice instructors, the specifics on dance leveling, availability of teachers to serve as career mentors, split between men and woman if not close to 50/50, current class of XXXX sizes and year over year attrition, etc.
I understand this in part – not always easy to capture / maintain and / or guarantee, and it doesn’t necessarily put the program in the best possible light but may be of interest to applicants.