Develop a list of criteria you want to use to evaluate and weed out colleges.
Before you even begin the process of researching prospective colleges, you need to take the time to consider the type of college that's best for you.
When we talk with college-bound students, we spend a lot of time talking about the importance of fit -- you need to feel as though you belong because it's going to be your home for four (or more) years!
Take the time to think about your personality and about your needs and wants in the ideal college.
Do you want to stay in Colombia, or go to study abroad? Do you want a large university or a small college? What about costs? Here's a list of common criteria:
When we talk with college-bound students, we spend a lot of time talking about the importance of fit -- you need to feel as though you belong because it's going to be your home for four (or more) years!
Take the time to think about your personality and about your needs and wants in the ideal college.
Do you want to stay in Colombia, or go to study abroad? Do you want a large university or a small college? What about costs? Here's a list of common criteria:
- degrees offered
- majors/minors
- location (rural or urban setting)
- size of the student population (from small at 1,000 to large at 35,000+)
- public vs. private
- costs (tuition, room and board, etc.)
- financial assistance packages
- campus resources (labs, libraries, computer access, etc.)
- graduation rate/time
- placement success/internship and co-op programs
- accreditation
- class size
- faculty contact/classes taught by full-time doctorally qualified faculty
- quality/reputation/ranking
- degree of pressure to excel
- safety (campus, community)
- student body (diversity, gender, etc.)
- social life (Greek organizations, sports, school spirit, etc.)
- religious affiliation/independent
- housing options (dorms, apartments, living at home)
- realistic entry expectations (based on typical student admitted)
Other important criteria:Average standardized test scores of admitted students (SAT, TOEFL) and types of admission choices (early action, early decision, etc.)