Tag Archives: choosing the right college

college guidance, college majors, college planning, parenting

Should your student attend a public or private university?

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public or private universityThe student in your household has many schools to choose from when it comes to deciding where to attend college. And while you can definitely use college rankings and other resources to narrow down the list of possibilities, it might help to consider beforehand whether or not a public or private university is better suited to provide the coursework and degree your student needs.

However, you may not necessarily know the differences that separate a public institution from a private one. For all you know, they might offer exactly the same education. In truth, it could depend largely on the school in question, but there are some general features that can help you to differentiate a public university from a private one. Here are some things you’ll probably want to consider before you push the teen in your household to apply to one or the other.

The cost vs the benefits

The first thing you’ll no doubt notice is that private universities tend to be more expensive than public ones, all things considered. This is partially because they offer a certain amount of exclusivity, not to mention everything that comes with it. However, it is noteable that many private universities offer more merit aid because of generous alumni donors. This type of funding allows private institutions to be more selective when it comes to admittance, meaning they may require a better GPA or more extracurriculars or volunteer work than the average university. As you might imagine, the payoffs of getting accepted to one of these schools can be great. Class sizes tend to be smaller so that students receive more individual attention. If your student needs a bit more supervision to stay on track, this could definitely be a benefit of choosing a private institution.

Religious affiliation

In addition, some private universities are also religious in nature. So if it’s important to you that your child continues to receive religious instruction, a private institution, and specifically one that caters to your religion, may be in order. On the other hand, you’ll almost certainly want to make sure that your choice is based primarily on the academic features the school has to offer since the main goal of attending college is to earn a degree that leads to a fruitful career. All the same, many families are drawn to private schools that offer a religious aspect, and this could definitely play a role in the university you opt to send your child to.

Academic programs

Of course, you’ll also have to consider which universities offer the most highly rated programs for the type of career your student is interested in, and you might be surprised to learn that in some cases the public institutions beat out their private counterparts. You should also keep in mind that some schools have clout or connections within specific industries, which means they’re better equipped to offer internships, job opportunities, and even job placement in some cases. For instance, Texas A&M is infamous for their engineering network and the fact that alumni Aggies tend to hire Aggie graduates. Checking these stats ahead of time could help you to determine not only which type of university is better for your student, but which schools, in particular, are preferable.

Whether your student is looking to study medicine in California or head to a Vermont law institution, you need to look into both public and private universities in order to find the school that will provide the best education and the most opportunities. In some cases a public institution can provide just what you’re looking for, and probably at less expense. But often, private institutions offer the benefits of more merit aid, small class sizes, and an extensive alumni network. That’s why it’s important for parents and students to evaluate each university separately and determine which college is the best fit.

admissions, college guidance, college planning, websites

Choosing the right college

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choosing the right college
photo courtesy of esc1.net

Choosing which college to attend is an incredibly exciting, yet trying adventure.  With hundreds of universities to choose from, it can be frightening and overwhelming at times.  However, with proper planning and a great deal or research, choosing the right college is easier than you think .  Keep these tips in mind as you embark on this journey.

Identify what qualities you look for in a college

Incoming freshmen don’t necessarily need to have a specific major in mind, but it doesn’t hurt to have some ideas.  Knowing what major you want to pursue will help narrow down your college choices

Location and environment are two very important factors.  Do you want to attend a large university, or will you thrive better at a smaller university?  What environment are you looking for?  Is Greek Life an important part of the decision process?  Know what you’re looking for ahead of time.

Financial aid, tuition and other expenses are also an important consideration to keep in mind.  If you’re on a tight budget, it’s wise to consider an in-state university.  Another option is attending a community college for two years and then transferring to another university.  And don’t forget admission requirements.  Research the universities you’re interested in, and make sure that you meet their admissions requirements.

List, compare, and visit your college choices.

It’s important to do your research before applying to colleges.  Make sure the colleges you apply to cater towards your needs.  Don’t apply to a college that doesn’t offer the major you want to pursue simply because it’s been labeled as a party school or a cool school.  Go to as many college fairs as you can.  Most high schools will offer a few throughout the school year.  There are also college fairs in most major cities throughout the year that are often bigger than the ones put on by your high school, so make a point of attending at least one of these as well.

Make a pros and cons list of all your colleges, and then compare what each one has to offer.  This is an easy way to narrow down your selection.  Once you’ve weeded out the less appealing choices, it’s imperative that you visit as many of these colleges as possible.  College visits offer you a chance to experience campus life, tour the school, and learn more about what each college has to offer.

Make sure your grades are in check.

It never hurts to do well in school.  A high GPA will look a lot more impressive on your college applications than a mediocre one.  Remember, you want your application to stand out among the rest. A high GPA will also give you a better chance of receiving scholarships, so if tuition cost is a factor in your decision making process, picking up the books will work in your favor.

college culture
photo courtesy of youvisit.com

You’ll definitely want to take an SAT prep class, and, if your college choices require it, take an ACT prep course too.  Prep classes are known to increase your score by at least 200 points. The Princeton Review, Kaplan, and Sylvan Learning Center all offer a variety of SAT and ACT prep courses to students.  Whether you prefer a private tutor or a classroom setting, these programs offer a method for everyone, so research which classes are offered near you.

As you can see, there are many factors to consider when choosing a college.  Be thorough with each of your choices, and make sure that the college you pick fits your needs to a tee.  Having good grades and doing well on the SAT and ACT will go a long way, so remember to hit the books.

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You can follow CollegeFocus on Twitter at @CollegeFocus101 and Facebook at www.fb.com/collegefocus. Choosing which college to attend is an incredibly exciting, yet trying adventure.  With hundreds of universities to choose from, it can be frightening and overwhelming at times.  However, with proper planning and a great deal or research, it’s easier than you think to find the perfect college for you.  Keep these tips in mind as you embark on this journey.

collegefocusAbout the author: Kirstin Le Grice is a recent graduate of University of Colorado and a staff writer for CollegeFocus, a website dedicated to helping students deal with the challenges of college, including housing, finance, style, health, relationships, and transferring from a community college to a four-year university.

 

admissions, college guidance, college planning, parenting

Helping your child choose the right college

 

prepare for college

As a parent, you may have fond memories of your college years. Perhaps you were not able to attend college and you are excited your child will have opportunities you didn’t have. You may also have strong opinions about where your child should attend college, what they should study and what type of study format the institution follows (for instance, online versus on-campus).

Ultimately, your child is the one who will have to register, attend classes, keep their grades up, graduate and translate their education into a rewarding and lucrative career. Find a balance between your opinions, and your child’s interests and goals when working together to choose a college.

Decide on a Basic Field of Study

If your child has no idea what they want to pursue for a career, then often the best choice is to locate a two-year college where your child can get their basic coursework out of the way. In the meantime, they can work with a career counselor to take skills tests and narrow down their choices to a field of study that will work for them. However, if your child knows what they want to study, then that can dictate the colleges you research.

Set Your Budget

Once you have narrowed down your child’s interest to a range of possible majors or one major, set your budget. This tells you how much you can contribute to your child’s college education and how much must be financed through loans, work-study programs, grant and bank-funding. Setting your budget means having an open and honest conversation with your child about what your budget will and won’t cover. You can discuss at this time whether your child may want to take the summers off to work and earn money toward their education, carry a part-time job while in school or other means of funding as well.

Discuss Learning Style

Another important aspect of helping your child choose the right college is to determine their learning style. Some people learn very well in a self-paced format, such as at an online institution where they can take classes around their work schedule. Other people have trouble learning unless they are in a “live” classroom setting surrounded by the interaction of others students and professors. Choosing the right learning environment will be key to your child’s college success.

Create a List of College Prospects

Once you have identified basic elements such as budget, learning style and field of study, create your list of college prospects to research. You and your child can make a spreadsheet to evaluate each college based on a series of factors important to you both. This makes it easy as well to track application and admission requirements, required fees, financial aid options and more — all will aid you in your child’s final selection.

Apply to Your Chosen Schools and Fill Out the FAFSA

Once you have narrowed down your choices to the top three to five schools, apply to each school. You will need to help your child fill out the FAFSA (Federal Application for Free Student Aid) to qualify for financial aid through the school’s financial aid office.

Visit Colleges Again

Once your child has been accepted at one or more colleges, visit these schools again if they plan to attend on campus. This way, your child can decide on the best fit in terms of school size, campus environment and other factors that will influence their decision.

By following this step-by-step process, you and your child can find the best college for their interests and budget. In the future, if they choose to apply to graduate school for a leadership degree or another program, they can use a similar process.

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About the Author: Mary Wilde is mother to three college-aged kids. She has used the techniques in this article to help each child find the perfect college for their interests, needs and goals.