Choosing the right university involves considering multiple aspects of a student’s life, from academics to social activities, and more. Students can make this important decision by following the 10 steps below to reach their final choice.
Create a List of Schools
Creating a list of schools involves considering many factors. The authors of “The Truth About College Admission: A Family Guide to Getting in and Staying Together” – Brennan Barnard and Rick Clark – encourage students to pay attention to factors such as the school’s location, enrollment numbers, majors offered, extracurricular opportunities, tuition, and more.
Rank Your Priorities
Take the time to create your own ranking based on the strengths and weaknesses of each school. Students should seriously consider what they want and need when deciding where to spend the next four years.
Don’t Procrastinate
University application deadlines vary, but generally, applications are due in January for the regular fall semester. Experts believe that starting early in your senior year is the most reasonable time to begin. Planning ahead allows time to visit schools, take standardized tests, write essays, and request recommendation letters from teachers.
Visit Schools
Once results are in, it’s time for students to think about where they want to study. Students might consider visiting the schools again. This time, take the opportunity to ask detailed questions to the admissions office. This will give students a deeper understanding of the school they are about to attend. International students might consider virtual campus tours as an alternative.
Focus on Your End Goal
Ask yourself what you want to achieve in the next four years. If your future concerns are career and finances, consider which university will help you reach your goals quickly. Public universities typically have lower tuition fees than private ones, but private schools may offer more generous financial aid or scholarships.
Delve into Research on Departments
University rankings are a useful tool in deciding where to study. Take the initiative to learn about the department you intend to enroll in. Does the university you’re considering have a strong program in your chosen major? Are the faculty members involved in research or actively participating in the industry alongside their teaching duties?
Research the Career Network
One reason students pursue a university education is to prepare themselves with the knowledge and skills needed to enter the job market. Therefore, the university’s career center should be a key consideration. Students can ask questions related to job fairs, on-campus interview opportunities with major companies, and the student-to-counselor ratio. These factors help students evaluate whether the university’s resources meet their expectations. Career centers offer many services, including soft skills development, job placement data, internship opportunities, interview practice, and explanations of the recruitment process.
Compare Financial Aid Packages
If a student wants to attend university without burdening themselves or their family with financial pressure after graduation, comparing financial aid packages carefully is crucial. Be sure to fully understand the tuition fees and other costs included in the financial aid package.
Support Each Other
The admissions process is stressful not only for students but also for parents. However, families should view this as an opportunity to grow together, spend time supporting and trusting each other. It’s important to focus on what you can do rather than worry about what the university admissions office will do with your child’s application.
Keep Going Despite “Failures”
Receiving a rejection letter from your dream university is not easy. However, don’t let it overwhelm you or make you feel hopeless. Even worse, don’t let the letter cause you to lose your sense of direction. Some of the top universities in the U.S. have acceptance rates below 10%. But remember, most schools do not have such stringent acceptance rates. The acceptance rate for four-year universities in the U.S. is 66.7% (according to the National Admissions Committee 2017).
