<p>Department quality: What is the quality of instruction in the intended departments, or likely other departments incase they decide to do something else. Are there research opportunities. Is it highly regarded by employers, and highly recruited. </p>
<p>I hate to sound like a dope but how, exactly do you find this out? My daughter is interested in Marine Biology/Marine Science and I’m not sure how I go about finding how a particular program is regarded. </p>
<p>Thanks and sorry for asking a question on your thread OP!</p>
<p>I would say the most important thing is fit. Your student should look first for schools that fit the aspects mentioned above - academics, geographic location, cost, etc. Use these items to narrow your search. So don’t look at schools that are tech oriented if he’s interested in liberal arts majors.
That being said, if your son is anything like mine, the real test will be the campus visits. Visit a bunch, then eliminate those that don’t fit for some reason, any reason. He will know if the place isn’t right for him almost immediately.
Then go back to visit the remaining schools a second time, making sure to see them when there are students around. Narrow the list down again into schools he’ll definitely get into, those he’ll probably get into, and those that will be a reach for him. Then, figure out which ones he would like to go to the most from the reaches and the probables, and schedule an interview, class visit or campus shadow. This shows the school you’re intersted (this DOES matter!) and more importantly lets your son see what the school is really like.
My son had 2 schools that he was in love with after visit 1. Both visits were in the summer, when the causes were empty. On visit 2 to school “A” he spent an afternoon with a student, and realized that it wasn’t the place he wanted to be (kids way too driven, no campus life, lacked a friendly feel), so we crossed it off the list.
On visit 2 to school “B” he found out more things he really liked. Visit 3 was a meeting with a professor and sitting in on a class. Visit 4 was an interview. Needless to say, it’s his top choice. He also picked several other campuses that he could see himself on, all with good programs in his intended major, just in case he didn’t get into his top choice. But, the overriding factor in all his choices was that he felt he could spend 4 years on the campus, learning from good profs, meeting good people and having good experiences that would ready him for the “real” world.</p>
<p>^^^ I agree, is this someplace you feel like you fit in with the student body and a place yiou could spend the next 4 years? I am not aware of any college that isn’t accredited, so not sure that makes any difference.</p>
<p>You won’t get to interview the faculty and I am sure every college has what students think are ‘good/bad’ professors. You also won’t know the exact prof. you will have until you actually select your classes each year since some classes are taught by severafl prof.</p>
<p>So we are back to the basics:</p>
<p>1) It is within your budget?
2) Does your son feel like this is a place he will fit in?</p>
<p>@Time2 - there are some unaccredited colleges out there, usually either new schools or small, conservative, religious schools, or for-profit schools. Federal financial aid is not available at unaccredited schools. Accreditation matters more for certain majors. Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science - all have boards that are responsible for accreditation of the individual major within the college.</p>
<p>“Since you said that he is intertested in Science and History, he should focus more on the science side than on the history side since science side is more employable than on the history side especially in the application of science such as technology and Engineering. He can go on the Medical side also. Should not be obsessed with a particular college, but what he is going to study is more important. 11 grade should somewhat decide either science or history.”</p>
<p>or he could cross both and try paleontology/archaeology</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Suitable academics – check courses, majors, undergraduate research opportunities. For engineering, check [ABET</a> -](<a href=“http://www.abet.org%5DABET”>http://www.abet.org) accreditation.</p></li>
<li><p>Affordable cost – check the net price calculator on each college’s web site for financial aid estimates, and check for merit scholarships.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Your public library branches should have a college information section. There are usually several books you can check out about many aspects of choosing a college. Find time (eg weekends) to informally visit several college campuses in your area- public and private, urban, small town… Getting used to what various campuses are like before the formal tours will help in knowing what is the same and what is unique about them. Otherwise you may be overwhelmed by the experience of being on a college campus and not realize the similarities/what is the same everywhere and whether it is the college or city size et al that intimidates or feels comfortable.</p>
<p>Your public colleges are good places to find out how things are done in your area- the local norms. You are likely to see students from all walks of life- rich and poor. You should try to see the state flagship/top state schools and the other type of campuses as the atmosphere is very different even among public schools in the same state. </p>
<p>Do not let someone talk you into spending money to learn about colleges- there is plenty of free info out there. Your HS will likely have parent college nights or college and career fairs. Do not let anyone tell you your lack of college experience means your child shouldn’t go for the top school that fits academically.</p>
<p>The interests of HS can change in college. Many, or most, college students will change their major once they enter college. Do not worry about this. Exposure to many different fields not available in HS and learning strengths (and weaknesses) in college means flexibility is needed. An interest in history and science can mean choosing a major in one field and taking several electives in the other.</p>
<p>Do encourage living away from home the first year, even if in the same city. Going away to college as a freshman is an experience that can never be had later. College is a social and personal growth experience as well as an academic one.</p>
<p>Finally- relax and enjoy the process as much as you can.</p>
<p>I assumed the person asking the original question isn’t asking advice about a virtual/on-line college with a dubious background (i.e. diploma mills) or a college that just opened its doors. Someplace that just opened is more of an exception then the rule and there would be a whole different set of questions to research. Reputable, well established colleges will clearly show their accreditation status on their website. If that is something that concerns you, it is easy enough to research on-line. Once you are satisified with that, you can check the box and move on to the other factors being discussed above.</p>
<p>I think the majority answering the OP’s original question are providing advice in the context of exisiting/established colleges.</p>
<p>1) Affordability (This can be complicated, by sticker price, Financial and merit aid)
2) Fit - Majors, location
3) Reputation</p>
<p>When I applied to colleges nearly 40 years ago, I knew I would qualify for a lot of financial aid, and I attended an Ivy league school.</p>
<p>My children are applying to privates that give merit aid.</p>
<p>For my children, I look at schools that I can afford. Within this group I look at the majors offered, reputation, location, and what makes each school special.</p>
<p>The first place to start looking, is at an public university that you can commute to, if any.
Also look at your state flagship.
Use tools like Naviance, and the college search tool on this website.
Check out the college’s 4 and 6 year graduation rate. You want to find schools that graduate the majority of its’ students.
Your state’s flagship university usually accepts some of the best students in the state.
Your state may also have a small public college that is its “honors” college. Examples of this are :
NY : Geneseo
NJ : TCNJ
MD: St Mary’s</p>
<p>You might find that some of the smaller public colleges have smaller class sizes and higher graduation rates than the flagship. </p>
<p>In NJ, where I live, TCNJ and Ramapo both have the small college feel that you won’t find at Rutgers. Both have the small college atmosphere. Both have high graduation rates and small class sizes.</p>
<p>Your home state probably has similar colleges.</p>
<p>“I never knew my kids’ GPA, to be honest.” - Compmom, was that because your kid was a mostly-A’s kind of student? In general you need to know approximate GPA. For example, students with 2.8GPA will likely be looking at different set schools than students around 3.8. </p>
<p>Of course that thought is for the “final list”. Initial survey trips to nearby colleges to learn preference factors don’t necessarily need to be at target schools.</p>
<p>Didn’t read the whole thread but am wondering what your child plans to major in.</p>
<p>Look for a school that has a top-notch program in whatever that is. If there are no definite plans, look for a school that has a wide variety in the general area (liberal arts, science/math, etc.) so your child can decide after they start at the college and not have to transfer because the major isn’t there!</p>
<p>And–dare I say–your child may even want to do something that is adequately covered in a two-year (associate’s) degree at community college. My brothers just last weekend were telling me there is a crying need for Electronic Instrumentation or Tech majors, among other things. Or welding. Nobody is advising kids to major in certain fields that pay very with only a 2 year degree, because “everyone” thinks they should get a 4 year degree…even if they have no idea what to do with it. :)</p>
<p>I have a rising junior as well. We started with local college visits just to gauge what type of college D preferred: big or small; rural, suburban or urban; with Greek or without; level of sports (as a spectator) and general feel for the academics and education style.</p>
<p>To focus the search, the following come into play: cost of attendance, current grades, test scores and possible majors. Location isn’t an issue for us.</p>
<p>I also talked to friends and relatives who have been through this process or are going through this process. If they know my child, I get suggestions (eh, some good, some off the wall) but these discussions clarified what was important to D and my family.</p>
<p>I agree with most of the advice about fit, large vis small etc…but cost should not be a factor in deciding where to look. It will be a factor in deciding where to go. When looking for a college people often make the assumption that they can not afford the private school and don’t even consider them. If you have an academically gifted child, the cost of a private school may turn out to be cheaper than your state school. Well known private schools have huge endowments and will give grants (which don’t have to be repaid) and merit aid. Public schools may also give merit aid but often give loans, not grants, and these will have to be paid back. Talk to your child’s guidance counselor but take what they say with a grain of salt. Find out your child’s gpa, both weighted and unweighted. If your child is in the top 10% the list of schools will be very different than if your child is an average student. If your child is interested in science, be very careful, as often these students are premed, and a cut throat atmosphere predominates at some schools. I hope this helps, and good luck!</p>
<p>I have a question. This is all very new to me. My son is starting his senior yr. in h.s. We’ve been spending some time this summer looking at colleges. He plans on becoming a doctor, although I am not sure if the pre-med programs that some of the schools offer is the best choice for him. I feel it might be to demanding. He is a great student. 4.0 all honors classes, honor society, italian honor society, clubs, volunteering, every sport…etc…Is it better to go to your “reach” school if accepted or just say an adverage school that maybe offers some $$$$$.???</p>
<p>Kathymom, for pre-med you want to stay at an affordable school as med school is expensive. I’ve also seen the best results from students who chose a school where their stats put them in the top 25% of students, but not so high that they are bored (not one of approx 3% with top stats, etc).</p>
<p>My high stat pre-med guy considered a bunch of schools. He eliminated many before applying for one reason or another, then ended up attending U Rochester. He wanted a research school that had a hospital on or near campus. He loves his choice and has no regrets. He just finished the summer working in two labs, one in the hospital and one on campus. The merit aid is nice too…</p>
<p>Let your guy find a school he likes that is affordable and fits his stats (in the top 25%). They are out there.</p>
<p>People may, in my estimation, overplay what to look for. Worse their advice comes from an egocentric view of what works for them. This may not work for your child. I think you need to know your child(look inward, not outward at other students) and respect his desires and needs. For me, affordability would have to loom large and may apply to most people. My daughter went to Princeton choosing that over acceptances at Harvard, MIT, and Stanford: her only interests. She wanted Harvard at first until a visit(overnight) to Princeton so you may want to consider that to the extent possible. Princeton was slightly more generous than the others but I told her choose which you really want, not which is cheapest. I personally think that a student intuitively feels comfortable with a college or not. Respect that! He/she has to live there for at least four years. It should be a joyous time and was for us. That enhances the possibility of success. Oh yes, I agree with safety. NYU is a great college but safety would be a concern as would U of Chic although it’s one of the greats.</p>
<p>For all three of mine, the following are what they deemed most important and in order of importance.</p>
<p>Cost
Location
Major
Fit</p>
<p>as you can see for some reputation is important, other’s don’t mention it. For us, the strength of the major at each school was more important than the overall reputation of the college.</p>
<p>Also kathymom technically there is no “major” called pre-med that is requisite for medical school. Some colleges package up classes and call it pre-med, but you can go to med school with an Art major if you’ve got the GPA and MCAT scores.</p>
<p>Neither my husband or I went to college. Our son, who will be a junior this year, is very bright. He didn’t want to go to any college with a ‘party’ school reputation (OU, WSU, ect). We live in a small town of about 5,000 and son wanted to go to a school in a big city, not a community college. He is interested in business, so he wanted a school that had a certain business accreditation. </p>
<p>We visited four colleges. One was Ohio State and as fabulous as it is, we all felt a three hour drive was a long distance for us. He is our only child and I also have some health issues, so those factored into the choice. Also, a main factor was how large Ohio State is. Our son’s personality is such that he would feel lost there. </p>
<p>He ended up chosing a college in Pittburgh, PA, about an hour from home. There are about 9,000 students, so it’s not too big or small. He got some scholarships which have helped with tuition. It’s worked out well, the college suits him. We see him at least several times a month and he found work over the summer there.</p>
<p>If there is a college that has a good reputation for teaching whatever your son is interested in taking, consider that college more than others. Then determine if it’s the right size, location and is it affordable. Not all kids need to go away for college. I know so many that attend in our area for a couple years before they’re ready to leave home and they go on to bigger colleges, get degrees and good jobs. </p>