What is the most impt factor in selecting a college?

College Search & Selection
421

<p>You have to consider the academics first and foremost. This is the product that you are buying and for which you are paying with your time, money, efforts, etc.</p>

<p>Ultimately, what you are looking for is ROI - ‘return on investment’ which includes the schools reputation and integrity.</p>

<p>A school’s reputation - usually (and for obvious reasons) is a quality the schools will ‘preen’ at all cost… They will spend incredible amounts of money to defend their reputation, come up with gimmicks such as slogans, murals, and so-called ‘mission statements’. Ultimately these mean absolutely nothing.</p>

<p>Unless you are planning to attend a school on an athletic scholarship- the school’s sports program has absolutely nothing to do with you. </p>

<p>While it is (probably) nice to attend a school that beats every other school in the sports arena, in 10 or 20 years this will mean absolutely nothing to you, your success in a career of your choice, and in the quality of your life.</p>

<p>Please search so called newsgroups to see how real the given school’s advertisements are. Most schools have not yet caught on to supporting these sections of the internet. Try to learn something about the school’s UNofficial hiring and tenure policies - this concerns you greatly because the people in these positions will be the conduit for delivering knowledge to you that is the product that you are buying…</p>

<p>Chances are great that the school will misrepresent itself substantially. Such is a well known case at a university in northern NY State.</p>

<p>Consider alternative education paths. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with attending a community college for a couple of years and then transferring to a 4 year school. Many 4 year schools have agreements in place with community colleges for guaranteed admission with an associates degree from a particular set of community colleges (ex. within NY State, within New England, etc.). </p>

<p>President Obama called community colleges one of the most undervalued resources in the United States - and he is absolutely correct.</p>

<p>While there is a perceived prestige factor for attending an Ivy League school for 4 years, the idea about lifetime friendships formed at such endeavors is bogus at best for a great majority of the students. The first two years are the same at any school, and in today’s economy it is important to save money.</p>

<p>Ultimately, invest significant time and effort into researching the product that you are proposing to buy. Especially if you are considering a private school - that will necessarily be significantly more expensive - do the ‘due diligence’ to see what you are getting for your money. In this day and age, you as the buyer of the product must arm yourself with knowledge.</p>

<p>And finally, understand that a university or a school - private or public - is a business. It is NOT a benevolent organization dedicated to somehow educating you.</p>

<p>They will provide the material (books, computer programs, etc.) and YOU will educate yourself. Many tenured professors, especially in ‘RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES’ could care less whether you actually learn something or you flunk out.</p>

<p>This is harsh to say, but it is absolutely true!</p>

<p>They are NOT in the business of educating you, and whatever you get out of your education is exactly what you put into your education (homework, attending class, discussion with professors, time spent in the library, etc.).</p>

<p>Thus, going to school is your full-time job. Most people in society over the age of 18 are expected to work 40 hours a week. Going to school will take at least this much effort. </p>

<p>Best of Luck!</p>

422

<p>JOY!!! Everything else will follow–really!!</p>

423

<p>if the atmosphere is what is important to you, you should check out my website. i have people from schools across the country post about what kind of party atmosphere there is and things like that [url=<a href=“http://www.newtoschool.com%5DNewToSchool.com%5B/url”>http://www.newtoschool.com]NewToSchool.com[/url</a>]</p>

424

<p>I just want to go to a school with a desent reputations good academics and where my parents who have limited visits because of distance</p>

425

<p>“And finally, understand that a university or a school - private or public - is a business. It is NOT a benevolent organization dedicated to somehow educating you.”</p>

<p>I’d soften this a bit to say that a school’s primary goal is to perpetuate itself, to continuously carry out its mission (which varies by institution), part of which must be to educate its students, because if it weren’t, students would cease to apply.</p>

426

<p>I agree with ExProfessor except that I would not be able to push my kids that far. I would ask them to apply a reputable in-state college where they can be ranked top 10% of the students. I think that a top 10% student (than an average one in a elite school) has more of chance to inspire a professor for spending extra time to attend to. Also, the student would have a better chance to get scholarship, good grades, REU’s, and LOR’s for professional/graduate schools or a job. This is what I call “fit”. I sometime wondered if the environment might not be challenging enough for this top student. However, I do think that there are enough opportunities that the top student might be able to work for a professor to push himself to a higher level, or enroll in all honor classes to compete with the best.</p>

<p>Many kids probably would not agree with this definition. For high school kids, they probably mean more about being socially “fit” by hanging out with a bunch of other cool kids. I really think that in a decent state university with 30,000 students, a talented student can certainly find a good fit with a variety of student groups. </p>

<p>My kids have not challenged me on this. If they do, I will start the negotiation using the community college idea from ExProfessor with the promise of no frequent visits.</p>

427

<p>While I was doing my college search, I realized that it’s not just 4 years of education but 4 more years of my life. Although strong academics and reputation are very important factors, I want to go to a school where I would have a good experience. It really isn’t worth the money to attend a college where you’d be miserable. Part of the experience is the atmosphere and the student body.</p>

<p>Adults have advized me not to go to a party school and just get a good education, but I cannot agree with that. I will be in my late teens/early twenties, and I want to have some fun. It’s really all about balance between work and play; work hard studying and then find relief by having a little fun on the side. Life’s too short to be stressed out.</p>

428

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<p>Same. I’ve ruled some schools out because of their “hard-core” reputation, and my own observations that some schools have a majority of people who just take themselves way too seriously.</p>

<p>These may sound a tad bit stupid compared to the deep philosophical answers posted before me, but I refuse to go to a college that:

  1. Is in Ohio (where I’ve lived since I was 4)
  2. Has a majority of students who wear dresses/button downs/other dressy clothing (not including polos, sweaters, etc.) on normal day-to-day occurrences (classes, football games, etc.) I’ve done enough of this during high school.</p>
429

<p>prestige, good vibes, and location</p>

430

<p>You might want to consider college to be an investment in your future, such that sacrificing a little something now (like parties or location) could pay off later. Your four years of college will fly by, but you will live with the result long afterwards.</p>

431

<p>i ll choose if the college has placement cell, so i can easily get a job</p>

432

<p>My top questions, in no particular order:

  • How much does it cost?
  • Does it provide the disability services I need?
  • Is it a “true community of learning”?
  • Is it a good fit for me academically, socially, and politically?</p>
433

<p>prestige… really some pply dat go to ivy leagues have no fun dere and have a horrible 4 years when college is suppose to b one fo teh ebst yrs of ur lyfe</p>

<p>academic strenth in your major… around 75% of ppl change their majors (opps!)</p>

<p>the feel at home is probably the mist important b/c it tends to incorporate location& geography , plus if ur going to live there for 4 years, you better be happy since your paying thousands and thousands of dollars!!</p>

434

<p>at the beginning of my search i just cared about reputation and location (in a big city) but after i visited columbia and felt “the fit” i realized how important it is. You wont really understand it until you feel it.</p>

435

<p>It’s pretty much like falling in love, or rather, finding “the one.” You just know when it’s right, and it often takes being rejected/deferred from other schools as well as a series of visits to colleges that turned out to be less than what you wanted to truly find that one college that fits you to-a-tee… </p>

<p>IMO, you’ll make of your college experience what you will, but ultimately, you need to feel comfortable there in order to really thrive. I know I’m echoing the poster above me, but I couldn’t agree more. :)</p>

436

<p>Most important: Can you pay the bill? If there is no way, it doesn’t matter how much a school fits or how much you love it.</p>

437

<p>Wait, what exactly is "Academic strength in my intended major. "? Does that mean how focused/good at teaching the school is on the major?
Sorry, my brain’s fried from all of this. :]
(10 bucks says I get it tomorrow.)</p>

438

<p>To be honest i would go anywhere that give me the most for my money</p>

439

<p>There are many great schools that no one has heard of…many mediocre that everyone has heard of. Would you prefer a professor with the highest degree in his field who loves to teach or a T.A. /grad student who is concerned with getting their research done</p>

440

<p>S said he wants to go to college to be well prepared for work post-college (and I’ll add, be able to pay off the many loans). He also said , in response to a question I had of him on how important is the look and feel of the place, aesthetics, that </p>

<p>‘he would do better if he were happier’. </p>

<p>sounds wise.</p>