Pick The Right College Today: Four Great Tips

Hopeless to Harvard’s main focus is helping students get the information they need to be accepted to an Ivy League school. However, there are a number of broad issues around college acceptance that most high school students are interested in.

Of course, the Ivy League schools do differ from each other. Yale and Brown, for example, are quite different. It is also important to remember that there are options outside of Ivy League schools.

Consider these main points when selecting the right college for you:

First, take into account the size of the student body. This is very important because it affects a lot of variables. Some are faculty/student ratio and student culture. Additionally, large schools are similar to large cities. They are full of energy, but they are also confusing. A small school is similar to a small town. People know each other, and there is a measure of safety. The drawback is that diversity and opportunities may be 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.

Third, decide whether you want to go to a school in a city, suburban, or rural setting. Big city schools such as UCLA, NYU, and Columbia are very different and have very different campus cultures than those that are located off the beaten path. Williams and Cornell would be two examples of more low-key schools. Keep in mind the setting in which you will be happiest and feel the most at home. Keep your background and your personality in mind when choosing.

Fourth, determine whether your school choice leaves room for growth. This applies to a number of things; however, most important is whether or not the school will challenge you and leave you room to challenge yourself. The four years you are in school are the time for you to maximize your academic potential. You want to be in an environment that will allow you to take risks, encounter a diverse and broad set of experiences, and learn to stand on your own two feet. So, if you have been in Austin, for example, all your life, going to UT-Austin might not be the most broadening experience for you. Your college years give you an opportunity for challenge and self discovery. Take full advantage of it.

Be sure to visit all of the colleges you are considering. When it is time to make your final choice, the first hand experience you gain on these visits will be invaluable to you. If you are feeling very pressured and having a hard time deciding, a gap-year may be beneficial to you. It can help you gain some perspective and make a wiser choice.

Click here for more advice on picking college or university.