<p>This is the biggest misnomer that students have when they choose a school. You might want to consider 1) Best Financial Package (if money is a concern) Borrowing anything more than 25K is not enough to win over prestige unless you have wealthy parents. 2) Quality of the university (all things being equal) 3) Fit.</p>
<p>"The majority of college students change their major at least once during college and many change their majors several times. Even if a student chooses one major and stays with that course of study for the duration of their college career, according to the U.S. Department of Labor the average college graduate changes jobs once every three years and changes career fields two or three times in their lifetime."</p>
<p>First of all, I would change your heading to “Why * some students * shouldn’t choose a University/College…etc.”</p>
<p>Secondly, I think there are quite a few students who do their homework and thoroughly compare and contrast departments and their offerings and different schools, and they get to know the environment and opportunities. Put all together, to me thats a significant part of the “quality of the university [experience]”.
Also, coming from experience working under an independent college admissions counselor, I think the term “Fit” is a little vague. The nature of the term suggests that not everyone’s fit is the same, which inevitably means some people want (or need) more of a close fit than others. Many aspects of fit: size of the student body, social scene, residential provisions, etc. might be completely inconsequential to the student.</p>
<p>Although I agree that many college students are not as settled on their major and academic interests as others, there is a significant portion who are completely and utterly fixated. So in these cases, it will only aggravate or dissapoint someone who is really set on a degree in, say, astronomy if you recommend colleges that you think are a better fit but don’t have that program. I think the solution is to research the departments at various colleges and see if the rigor, academic opportunities, and requirements are suitable. In my view, for some, intended major and college fit should not be at odds.</p>
<p>"“The majority of college students change their major at least once during college and many change their majors several times. Even if a student chooses one major and stays with that course of study for the duration of their college career, according to the U.S. Department of Labor the average college graduate changes jobs once every three years and changes career fields two or three times in their lifetime.”</p>
<p>But the median age of an undergraduate student in the U.S. is 24.5 years of age, and half are older. 18 year olds are in the distinct minority. So OF COURSE the average student changes majors more than once. But the average student is older than an 18 year old who enters as a first-year and graduates at 21-22.</p>
<p>Yeah, it really surprises me how much people on these boards are concerned with the strength of Major X as offered by University Y. Some of the only students who should really worried about this are those planning to go into engineering, or other professions that will most likely not lead to graduate school.</p>
<p>Well, idk, I want to study architecture, and not that many schools offer the major, but I don’t think that means I should go to a school that doesn’t offer it. I just want to be careful to pick a school with a lot of options just in case I decide to change my major. (Which I highly doubt I will, but you never know)</p>
<p>I don’t agree. you have to go to the school which is stronger in you area. If you are not sure than pick a university that is strong reputation overall.In my case i’n interested in film and tv, so USC is the best option no matter the money i have to spend.I could go tobiola university with almost full ride but is just not worth it their program doesn’t even compare.</p>