Pick The Right College Today: Four Great Tips

Posted on July 2nd, 2009

Our main focus at Hopeless to Harvard is to bring you information that will help you be accepted at an Ivy League school; however, there are broader issues involved in college attendance that many high school students find of great interest.

Naturally, the Ivy League schools differ from one another. Brown and Yale are very different schools, indeed. Bear in mind that, outside of the Ivy League world, there are even more options when it comes to choosing a college.

Here are four points to keep in mind when choosing just the right school:

#1 Student body size. This affects a vast array of things. The diversity of the student culture and the faculty to student ratio are just two. Remember that going to a large school is like moving to a big city. You will find lots to do and learn; however, you may also find yourself lost in the shuffle. At the same time, going to a small school is like living in a small town. Most people will know you by name, and you may feel quite safe; however, you may also feel that your options are very limited.

#2 A very important factor is school prestige. There is really no getting around this. If you have a degree from UPenn, Stanford or Harvard, you will have a better chance of getting a high-paying respected position.

3. Location is important. Do you want to go to school in a big city, small town, or in the countryside? A big-city school like NYU or UCLA will be quite different from a low key, off-the-beaten-path school like Cornell or Williams. You will want to keep your personality and background in mind and choose a school where you will be most comfortable.

4. Be sure to choose a school that will challenge you and allow you to challenge yourself. Your college years are your time to spread your wings and explore your full potential. For this reason you will need an environment that allows and encourages risks, offers diverse experiences, and supports your independence. For this reason, you may wish to choose a school that is not in your hometown, even if your hometown school is excellent. You will want to be able to maximize your growth during your college years.

Take a number of field trips to the colleges you have in mind. This will be tremendously helpful when it comes time to make your final decision. If you are feeling pressured, a gap year between high school and college may help you put things in perspective.

Click here for more advice on picking a college.

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