If you’re all set to go in for higher education and boost your career and personality, choosing a college is the foremost step. But it’s not as easy as it may seem. Choosing the right college amongst thousands present in the air can prove to be a challenging job. Even if you do decide on certain options, one never knows if it’ll turn out to be of help or a total disaster. One can’t guarantee you success but if you do take a bit of pains, you would most probably never face a time of regret. So let’s have a look at a few pointers indicating how to choose the right college.
Classify the colleges as good, better, best
So you’ve got the names offering the particular course you want or fulfilling your requirements. Now, divide them into groups of colleges that are the best – he ones that are difficult to get into but provide elite education, better than good – the ones that are not as good as the best colleges but not too bad, and good – colleges that are easy to get into, if you don’t have an option you can easily opt for them. Now try your best to get into those elite colleges, make them your first preference.
Explore the infrastructure
Check out the size of classes, labs and fields. See if the labs are well equipped. Check out on the living facilities – whether students commute or live on the campus. If on the campus, see if it’s suitable because you have to spend four or more years in those surroundings. Make sure the dorms are modernized and if you want an attached bathroom, see if they provide it well before applying for a residential facility. If you are a privacy freak, find out before hand if there are compromises to be made.
Gender problem
Well, many girls are uncomfortable studying in a co-ed atmosphere and similarly many colleges do not accept applications from male students. So it’s advisable that you choose a college according to your comfort zone.
Do not be influenced by age 
Remember, it doesn’t matter how old or young a college is, what counts is the quality of education imparted and the reputation of the college. So don’t turn down a college just because it’s young or opt for one just because it’s ancient.
Check on college directories
You may like to know about certain numbers like the population of the college, activities; number of fresher’s recruited each year, etc. For this, the best is college directories like their booklets and websites. They’ll equip you with all the technical information you need, however they won’t provide you with the updates on the college campus and its atmosphere and culture. For that you need to contact people actually living there.
Trust yourself
Sometimes you may get an intuition that a particular college would be best for you. Try it out, explore the college and it may prove to be the best deal. Some students have successfully lived this experience, now your turn to try!
Attend college fairs or talk to representatives and counselors.
Brochures and websites are a good start to know more about the college, but what the final step needs is interaction with real people. Most high schools sponsor college fairs where representatives are present to have a one-on-one with applicants. So don’t be shy and approach them, clear all your doubts and ask everything. If your high school does not organize such fairs, don’t fret, the National Association for College Admission Counseling always holds one around fall. Just go online and get the details required.
Being ME ! 