What are the most important factors to consider while researching colleges?

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What are the most important factors to consider while researching colleges?
Benjamin CaldarelliPartnerPrinceton College Consulting, LLC

What are the most important factors to consider while researching colleges?

The goal of researching colleges is finding ones that are both a good match and fit for the student academically, socially, emotionally, and for the family, financially.

Joyce Vining MorganFounder and college counselorEducational Transitions

What are the most important factors to consider while researching colleges?

First, will it provide the kind of education you’re seeking? If you want to be a nurse, or an engineer, you need a nursing program, or an engineering program. Does it support that program with good facilities? If you’re an artist, what are the art studios like and when are they open? and so forth. What are the graduation requirements – too stringent? too liberal? just right for you? What is the social atmosphere on campus? Does the college offer extra-curricular activities that interest you? the athletics you can participate in? and so forth (again). After you’re satisfied that the college will provide the education you seek, can you afford it? Check out financial aid. Only then is it relevant to find out whether or not you might be accepted. (NB you should already have some clue about that from your GPA and test scores)

Joyce Vining MorganFounder and college counselorEducational Transitions

What are the most important factors to consider while researching colleges?

First, will it provide the kind of education you’re seeking? If you want to be a nurse, or an engineer, you need a nursing program, or an engineering program. Does it support that program with good facilities? If you’re an artist, what are the art studios like and when are they open? and so forth. What are the graduation requirements – too stringent? too liberal? just right for you? What is the social atmosphere on campus? Does the college offer extra-curricular activities that interest you? the athletics you can participate in? and so forth (again). After you’re satisfied that the college will provide the education you seek, can you afford it? Check out financial aid. Only then is it relevant to find out whether or not you might be accepted. (NB you should already have some clue about that from your GPA and test scores)

Reecy ArestyCollege Admissions/Financial Aid Expert & AuthorPayless For College, Inc.

What are the most important factors to consider while researching colleges?

That the schools have the right curriculum and backup programs if you change your major. How much a school has awarded in financial aid is also a factor as well as what % of freshmen are there after 4 years. You should have a checklist of what’s really important to you and make sure the school can satisfy all your needs wants & desires.

Christine LooCollege Guidance CounselorArchbishop Molloy High School

What are the most important factors to consider while researching colleges?

There are, of course, several factors to consider when researching schools. But, I would say that there are some of the major things a student should consider:

1. Location (city, suburb, town, country) 2. Size of school 3. Major (does the school have the major you want to study) 4. Cost 5. Extracurricular activities 6. Distance from home
Carita Del ValleFounderAcademic Decisions

What are the most important factors to consider while researching colleges?

First and foremost what are you as a student looking to accomplish with your education plan and how much is your budget? Without a budget and a goal in mind, the rest of the factors will be a moot point.

Nancy MilneOwnerMilne Collegiate Consulting

What are the most important factors to consider while researching colleges?

Obviously you are going to care about the academic press at the college. I also believe that it is important to consider the extracurricular options as well. All work and no play is not healthy. Plus, if you’ve had a tough day in the classroom, you want to look forward to going back to your residence hall. How engaged are students on campus, does the place empty out on the weekends, what do folks do to relax? It goes without saying that financial aid packages can be a deal breaker. Please, please, please make sure that you look closely at those award letters and separate out the grant/free $$ and the loan/debt burden you’ll be saddled with. Some students will only want small size classes, while others are looking forward to big time college sports. Others want city vibe, some want the suburbs and others like the idea of being in the middle of no where with a cute campus town. All of these factors are easily observed as you tour campuses.

Nancy MilneOwnerMilne Collegiate Consulting

What are the most important factors to consider while researching colleges?

Obviously you are going to care about the academic press at the college. I also believe that it is important to consider the extracurricular options as well. All work and no play is not healthy. Plus, if you’ve had a tough day in the classroom, you want to look forward to going back to your residence hall. How engaged are students on campus, does the place empty out on the weekends, what do folks do to relax? It goes without saying that financial aid packages can be a deal breaker. Please, please, please make sure that you look closely at those award letters and separate out the grant/free $$ and the loan/debt burden you’ll be saddled with. Some students will only want small size classes, while others are looking forward to big time college sports. Others want city vibe, some want the suburbs and others like the idea of being in the middle of no where with a cute campus town. All of these factors are easily observed as you tour campuses.

Daniel KramerCollege AdvisorThe Wight Foundation

What are the most important factors to consider while researching colleges?

The first consideration should be your choice of major or desired field of study. If you are focused enough and are ready to make this decision as you enter college, then clearly you must begin researching those schools that offer what you wish to study. If you are undecided, which is perfectly ok, then consider the following in any order of importance to you: size (both of the campus and student population), geographic location, setting (urban, suburban, rural), financial aid consideratons (need blind, no-loan, 100% need met) and “other.” The “other” must be things that are important to you outside of the biggees listed above. These are things like sport team enthusiasm, study abroad programs, co-op or internship opportunities, housing options, etc.

Mark GathercoleUniversity AdvisorIndependent University Advising

What are the most important factors to consider while researching colleges?

You determine what the most important factors are. Before you start “shopping” for colleges, you have to know what you’re shopping for. Decide what are the three or four essential qualities a college has to have in order for you to consider it, and you’ve got your most important factors. then go find the schools that have what you want!

Rohit GoyalIvy League CounselorHarvard University

What are the most important factors to consider while researching colleges?

Its excellence in your field of interest.