Western Oregon University Top Questions

What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

Danielle

The advice I would give myself would include not to be too worried about what everyone else thinks, take your time in figuring out where your passion lies, and what career field is right for you. Additionally, go to community college first all over again because it will save you thousands of dollars, work part-time, and save money when and where you can. Finally, get involved in clubs, organizations, and other activities as it is a fantastic way to meet new people just like you. Relax and enjoy the ride but rememder that excellent grades will pay off so keep up the hard work, scholarships are excellent rewards for your success!

Kristina

If I had the opportunity to go back and talk to myself before I head off to college, I would tell myself to not worry about anything whatsoever. I was so scared of not fitting in, not finding anyone who would like me, not making friends and my classes be too hard to pass. I now know that everyone is searching to fit in and meet people who will like them for who they are. "Yes, classes are hard, but there are ways to overcome obstacles, like study groups, clubs and tutors. There will be times that you want to quit and give up all hope for a new and promising life, but being in a dorm, living miles and miles away from familiarity, makes you push through the hard times and make the good times the ones that will make a last forever. You will learn things you never knew and find people you never thought of living without. Things will change, but you will be more prepared than ever to continue your life and start over." If I could have told myself that I would believe it over everyone else, making me more ready for the real world.

Laura

If I can go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior I would advise every high school student, not just myself to actually pretty please pay attention in class and actually learn what you are being taught. Pass all your classes and get a good GPA. Study before exams, test, and quizzes and score well becasue its all just a preparation for the big next exam that you will be taking later in the future. Use your time wisely because time is money, and money is time. Most college students like myself wished someone would irritate us to death to do well in high school so we wont mess up, or do better because at the end your previous education can affect your future education plans.

Morgan

It is ok if ou are still unsure of what career path you want to take. Don't let anyone discourage you. You may try several different fields but, when you find the right one you will know instantly this is a job you will enjoy doing for the rest of your life. So don't stress you will figure it out with the help of a special little man.

Kristina

If I could go back in time and tell my high school self what I know now, I would tell her not to worry about fitting in when going tp college. Everyone is new and searching for the people who make them confortable. Everyone is struggling to be comfortable with who they are and trying to find people who like them for who they are, and wont change them. I would also tell myself that even if the beginning of the year seems hard and depressing, that I just need to push through, because things will soon turn bright and I will find my future best friend who doesnt judge me at all nd loves me for who I am.

Jo

Honestly, I would sit myself down and say, "Stop wasting your time with your boyfriend and put your nose in the books." I sometimes wish I didn't spend most of my time in high school with my boyfriend. He was a great guy, but it didn't last and we weren't really in love, like I thought. I wish I was able to keep a hold of my education and strengthen my knowledge before attending college. Furthermore, I believe I would have made better decisions as a young adult if I didn't waste so much time with my boyfriend. On the other hand, I have learned a lot about myself emotionally because of my situation with him, but with everything I am learning now, it doesn't compare. My education has become priority in my adult life and I wish I would have learned what I'm learning now when I was high school.

Megan

I would tell myself to take as many college credit courses in high school as I could, that way they are cheap and you can also focuses on other classes instead of having to get some prerequsites done.

Carole

If I could talk to myself as a senior, the one piece of advice I would offer would be to be an active participant in your education. Navigating college can be difficult and daunting, and can seem overwhelming when you first begin. To get the most out of your education, take responsibility and ask questions till you can find the answers. Become acquainted with your teachers and stay involved, since you will be accountable for the grades you earn. Don’t be afraid to speak to professors and discuss grades or assignments. Teachers take great pride in students who take their education seriously and are almost always willing to help a student succeed. Being organized and responsible allows you some control over your education and can teach some of the greatest life lessons. Learning how to communicate with teachers on a peer level, while being respectful, can teach invaluable skills that will no doubt be used in your career. So take control of your education and be responsible and active in the education you receive; it will definitely pay off.

Cassandra

Be aware of Deadlines. Time flies when you are studying hard. School will be over before you know it so do your best, pay, attention, and enjoy everything that college has to offer. Take advantage of school sponsored programs and activites and no matter where any one else wants you to go to school, it is really about where you want to go. Do what will make you happy because you are the one that lives with the decision and is entering into the commitment. Give back to the community and make as many friends as you can. If you get invited to something that sounds boring, go anyway. It might turn out that you enjoy it! Apply for scholarships, even if you think that you wont win the. You are much better than you think you are.

Stacey

I wish I could go back and tell my younger self about the financial aspects of college. First, I start searching for scholarships a lot earlier. I probably missed many deadlines of scholarshipts that I qualified for. Next, I organize the scholarships that fit my criteria. In doing so, I would not waste time applying for scholarships that did not exactly fit my needs. In conclusion, I would not gain a high amount of student loan debt by the time I graduated. In reality, I gained a large ammount of student loans debt after college. By the time I graduated, I could only get part-time work. So it became harder and harder to pay the loans back with interest. I had to borrow from family to pay the student loans off. Now I owe money to my family. I am going back to college to get my teacher's license so I can hopefully gain full-time employment in where I love working with children.

Daniela

Daniela, do not room with your best friend because you will end up hating each other. Most importantly, college is NOT like high school, you do the same academic work, but it is twice as hard. Also, make as many friends as you can, because you cannot make it through college alone. On the one hand, college can be an amazing experience, but only if you have friends to share that experience with you and when you use the resources that are offered to you. On the other hand college can be the worst nightmare you’ve ever had, only if you isolate yourself from the rest. In order for you to be a successful college student you have to bond with your professors, college mates, and most importantly participating in class discussion. One more thing, cramming is the worst thing a college student can do, so please learn to manage your time.

Megan

The advice I would give myself is to be open to any career path and do not be afraid to try new things. It really helps to join a club because it is an easy way to make friends that have the same interests as you. Especially for the first year of school. Also for the first two months of school you do not want to go home even if things start to get rough because the first couple of months of college is very crucial. Staying on campus will provide you with a good support group. It also allows one to be less dependent on one's family and more independent. The first year away from home can either make you or break you, it just depends on how you react to certain situations, so positivity is the key. Keep motivating yourself and stay focused on the goal ahead and if you happen to fall behind in a class always go and talk to your professor. This shows the professor that you are taking initiative and trying to fix the problem. Use your resources as much as possible because it really helps keep your grades up. Good luck!

ian

Dont wait to start college it isnt as scary as you think.

Elizabeth

I would have told myself to be social. I am not the most social person and I don't make friends very easily. I would have told myself that it is okay to go outside my comfort zone, and it will usually lead to good things. Don't get into the habit of staying in your room all the time, it's very antisocial. Study! It's not as easy as high school and I actually had to start studying when I got here.

Victoria

If I could go back in time and give myself advice about college, I would tell myself that it's okay to go talk to your professors when you don't understand. In high school it was so easy for me to do that, but my first term, I was too scared to, but when I started to go see my professor it made everything so much easier, and the professors love when you see them. Plus if you see them, they'll remember you, and it can help boost your grade. Another thing I would tell myself is that you grow a lot in college and you won't stay friends with the people you were in high school. In fact, you hardly talk to them. Maybe you'll keep in touch with a couple, but you make so many more friends at your new school, but it's not a bad thing to make friends so don't feel bad! If they're your true friends, they'll always be around, and they should encourage you to make new friends. The new friendships you make could easily be your best friend that you'll have forever.

Caitlin

The first and most obvious thing I have learned is knowledge. Pure knowledge that I have aquired through the classroom. I can really get engaged in the classes here and the teachers are really there to help. Another thing I have learned is to be myself. No one is me, and should happy about that. I have so many more peers here then I did in my high school that I realized no one cares if I'm short, or not the best at this or that. I can be me, and that's a learning process right there.

Marianne

Out of my college experience I've learned what I don't want to do with my life, and that's live how anyone else expects me to. I chose my original major and school based off my familys expectations, and after some time I've come to realize what genuinely interests me regardless of what I'm 'supposed' to do. Without my previous school experience, and realizing how unfulfilling it was, I was able to examine my priorities and now am planning to pursue an education that fully benefits my life and the life I hope to live. An education should enlighten your mind to new possiblities, not place your thoughts in a box you can't escape from.

Ariel

There are many people today that live a life of mediocrity. In life there is not a more selfish thing that a person could do than to live a life of mediocrity. With an education people can gain the skills to change the world one person at a time. Let’s use an interpreter for an example. An interpreter has to go through school and become certified and all of that requires time and money but every day they are able to wake up and help break down the walls imposed by different languages and cultures. They are able to serve and help people live their lives the best that they can. None of that would be possible for the interpreter if they hadn’t taken the time and money to break out of the mindset of mediocrity and push to achieve more. In college there is so much that can be learned not just from an educational stand point but from a personal too. From attending college I have learned that there is more to life than just me and my goals. Attending college has brought awareness to mediocrity and how selfish it is.

Kailey

I have gotten so much more than just academics here at WOU. The diverse background of instructiors as well as students have given me such a better understanding of our world now. Even though I did not agree with some of their views, it was really important to see what those views were and or why they thought that way. It really has blessed me in becoming a better person in this world! My education here at WOU as been nothing short of incredible! I'm very lucky to live here in the United States and be able to attend this school has given me so much more hope for this world. I can't wait for each day to see what I can learn next!

Sonja

My college experience more than anything taught me the discipline of being organized and timely. I was a full time student and worked three part time jobs to pay my way through school. I was forced to be organized in all aspects of my life bacuase I was so limited in time. I got good at utilizing my down times and getting things done adhead of schedule. This has benifited me in my career, because not many people stay on top of their responsibilities. It gave me an edge over the competition in my field, simply because I was timely and respectful of others time as well.

Heather

I have learned so much from college this year. Everything from being a leader with my peers and at the school through Hall Government to ways that will better me as a teacher. I have learned different teaching techniques, things to watch out for as a teacher and ways to get my students to be active learners. I have recently decided that I want to get my Bilingual Endorsement as a teacher, and that to me has been the most significant part of my year here. I have talked to people in the Education Department to help me get started with getting my Bilingual Endorsement. It has been valuable for me to attend here because the faculty here has made me realize I should get my Bilingual Endorsement and I'm not sure I would have got that from a different school.

Diana

Through my college experience i have realized that education is everything. In high school you can not wait to graduate, you think that you will finally have freedom. Honestly you do, but without furthering education it is almost as if you end up in a rut. Education not only helps you further your life, but it even helps you work in an environment you want to be in not just something to put food on the table. Attending college has given me a different aspect on how to live my life. I regret not sticking to it right after i graduated high school. Yet at the same time now my mind is set solely on improving the life I have made for myself. You may think you can not have fun while attending classes, but you can. When you find the degree that is really for you just going to class gives you a feeling of excitement, especially to know what you will get to be doing for as long as you want. Possibly help you realize how great your life will be after all the study and time put into the classes making it all worth it.

Emily

When I first arrived at Western Oregon University I thought "party it up" which I am sure is not far off from what some other incoming freshman think. However within the past two terms I have completed at Western, I have come to find that I am discovering myself and what I really want in my life. In my college experience so far I have learned more about myelf and my capabilities. I've grown up a lot in these past months at Western and I think the most valuable part of Western is the education I have recieved here. I feel so comfortable with asking for help and the professors want you to succeed because they are there for you. I would have to say another valuable aspect to attending Western is defiinitely the great friends I have made. I know that with both education and soon-to-be life long friends, a college experience couldn't be any better.

Andrea

I have gotten so much out of my attendance at BSC. First, moving nine hours away from my friends and family forced me to become more independent, which is something every 19 year old needs to be in possesion of. Learning to befriend or at least work side by side with people from a different culture than my own, especially when debating politics with people who were completely against my own beliefs. I had to learn how to listen fully to another's opinions even if I disagreed and how to discuss politics without seriously offending anyone. I definetly think that along with independence the most important thing I learned from college is that I'm not a kid anymore, and no one is going to coddle me along. In college, many people go crazy with their new found independence but the most important thing to learn is a balance between having fun and being responsible, in terms of partying, doing homework, and managing money. You are over 18 years old, and it is time to grow up. Become independent but never lose sight of the goals you need to reach.

Janaye

Some good advice I would probably give myself now, would probably be to actually go to bed when you get to college! I've been so tempted to skip my early classes so I can just catch a few extra hours of sleep because I didn't go to bed at a reasonable time. It's obvious when you're sitting in the classroom at 8 a.m. which kids got the right amount of sleep and which ones still have yet to go to bed! Sleep effects your mood, your note-taking skills and how you interact with the other kids in class. When I do get enough sleep I feel more alert and retain information better, my notes make more sense and my time management isn't suffering because I don't have to take a nap in the middle of the day. So if I was able to go back in time to give myself advice, I would tell myself to actually get some sleep! Everyone is still going to be there when you wake up, and your education will only benefit from it.

Britney

Dear Britney. Hello you are in your first term of college and what a ride it has been. I know that you are very stressed out about picking the right school but trust me Western is a great choice. If I could help you out in anyway and save you time, I have to tell you that you don?t need to pack up your whole room and attempt to shove it all in a dorm. I also know you are very sad about leaving home and your friends. Don?t fret everyone at school is in the same position looking for friends. You might even come to realize there are great people no matter were you go in life. My final piece of advise to you in school is to really work hard. The better work ethic you have coming out of school will really help you push ahead and succeed in the hard times. At school to be the best you can be. Having such a great work ethic working those three jobs with no days off in the summer to pay for school will help you financially and morally. Keep your chin up and face the day.

Zulema

There is so much advice I would've given myself if I knew what I know now. First of all I would've repeatedly told myself to get good grades in high school in order to be eligable for scholarships. Most scholarships require a minimum GPA of 3.0 or 3.5. I would have told myself to prepare for financial stress because it happens to everyone. I would have told myself to take schoolwork seriously and not procrastinate because college is different. I would have prepared myself to save more money incase of financial emergencies. And to people like me, I would have told myself to prepare for separation anxiety because I love to be near my family. I would have told myself to start learning how to manage time wisely in order to get all work done. I would have given myself this advice and much more because it's not only obvious problems that go on while in college, you also begin to notice how things have changed for the best. I would've especially advised myself to begin with 200{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} commitment because there is plenty competition out there for which ever field you're going in.

Sarah

If I were to meet myself as a high school senior, I would have an astronomical amount advice to give. Knowing what I know now about college, my most important piece of advice would be to take as many advanced placement classes as I could sign up for. It would have been so nice to have started out with more college credits. When I was in high school, the mind set was just to graduate and get out. Now that I am in college, I wish I would have stood out from the mindset of the crowd and would have tried to earn more college credits through advanced placement classes.

Molly

Knowing what I know now about college life there are a couple things I would tell myself. First I would say don't worry about living in the dorms and making friends. Living in the dorms is actually fun and you will make friends. It may take a couple weeks so be patient but you will find of group of friends that you fit in with. Don't conform to what everybody else is doing if your not comfortable with it, you only have to be yourself and if people don't like you for who you are then their not your true friends. Don't be afraid to try new things, step out of your comfort zone and get involved. This is a new school with new people, nobody knows how you used to be in high school, so show them who you are. Basically don't be afraid, it will all work out.

Sarah

I would tell my past self about the struggles and positives of college life. Its all worth it, the problems you encounter and the drama you meet, as long as you are able to face it head on, not be scared and talk to someone college will be fun and wonderful learning environment if you let it be. The groups from high school of geeks, jocks, punks, delinquents, and poplar?s don?t dissipate however they are more open and willing to make friends and talk to people if you make an effort as well. Beware of student cafeteria's they can be the death of you and the clothes that fit; always take a physical education class since you never know who you will meet and its a great tool to burn stress, frustration, beating the "freshman fifteen," and it's fun. Always remember: this is your time, your future and your life, have fun with it.

Carrissa

If I could go back in time I would tell senior self to relax and remember that I have the grades to get into the college that I want. Also to appreciate living at home and not having to pay for everything, because contray to my belief back then my parents were just trying to help me get extra money for college. I didn't really understand how much it costs to attend a university. Also not to get discouraged by how many scholarships I applied for and did not recieve. There are just so many people needing money that not everyone will get one. I tried my hardest and that is all I can do. I would also say don't be afraid to be brave and do something that I may fail at. Failure is a chance to learn something new.

Ashley

I would tell myself if i could go back in time, is to assure myself that this is going to be a good experience for me. That i need to be able to handle change better. The begining of the year i had problems with change, i had a rough start. The start of my college year could've gone better if i had those things in mind. I wish i could've distanced myself a little bit from my parents; i'm really close to my parents so when the time came for them to leave, i didnt want them to go. Those are the few things i would change if i could go back to my senior year.

Katherine

For the most part I am happy with my transition to college and I think that I have grown up a lot since leaving home over a year ago. Although I think I did well, if I could go back and tell myself something, I would tell myself to be more outgoing and step out of my bubble. I grew up in a small town where the kids I went to kindergarten with were the same ones I walked across the stage with on graduation day, so friends were never a problem. I really regret being a shy little freshman who didn't make friends with many people that I didn't already know from my hometown. I am now a sophomore and I work and study almost all the time. I wish I could go and hang out with friends sometimes instead of watching T.V. when I'm bored. I would tell myself that if I don?t try, then nothing can happen.

Amy

Knowing what I know now, I would tell myself not to get worked up over choosing my career when I'm 18. Highschools try to tell you that you must know exactly what you're going to do even when you're a junior which is completely insane. The average number of students who change their majors while they are going to college is incredibly high. I've changed what I wanted to do so many times I can't even count. I would assure myself that going to a community college was the right thing to do. It is financially responsible and a great way to explore a lot of different areas of study. I would tell myself that applying to as many scholarships as possible is very important to do. I was negligent about it as a senior and regret it immensely. I would tell myself to try to volunteer more, spend more time on others and not on myself. There is always time somewhere to fit it in. But most of all I would tell myself to enjoy senior year as well as I could because it doesn't come around again.

Lacey

First off, you should ask yourself what kind of college do you want to go to? Are you going to a larger university or a smaller one? Is it for a certain program? Do you want to be near home, close enough to visit, or far, far away? The advantage of a larger university is that there is more programs, clubs, and so on, but the classes are huge and you do not get to know your professors easily or well. At a smaller university, there may be less to offer, but classes are smaller and you can get to know your professors well. It makes it easier to understand your classes and you have time to discuss the material with your professors. You can to go a college merely for its program, but make sure that is the program you want to be involved in. Do not go there merely because you like the campus! Another important thing is how close you want to be to home. You can be far away, but do you get homesick? Or you can be close enough to visit, but still far away enough to have started new.

Lisa

I am an older college student, attempting college when I was 18 and now completing it at 39. The number one thing I would recommend to a High School Senior would be "don't give up". It can seem quite hard, but the colleges are there to help you succeed and utilizing this is the best thing a person could do. If you do feel like giving up talk to a counselor, a fellow college student or an instructor and see what you can do to fight the feelings you are having. Secondly, I would let them know not to get behind, staying current with the reading and assignments is a must it is not like high school you don't always have the option of turning in late assignments. However, if you are going to turn one in late talk with your instructor and let them know most times they are willing to help you reach that deadline. Remember that the colllege wants to see you succeed as much as you want to succeed just remember to talk to the appropriate people if you have any questions.

Kelly

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, I would remind myself to slow down and live a little. I'd remind myself that it is not the end of the world if you take an extra year to finish college. I would probably tell myself to do a little traveling and perhaps go back to the east coast to visit family. I would also tell myself to take advantage of tutoring opportunities and become more involved with campus activities. Overall, I would just want to tell myself to work hard and learn lots, but don't forget to take a breather every now and then.

Andrea

First of all, I would let myself know that a great amount of pressure to know exactly what I want to do with my life is not necessary. During my college years, I have changed my major twice, coming finally to the field of study that best fits my personality and life desires. If I could go back to my high school years, I would tell myself to ease up and not follow the crowd in trying to fiercely determine the rest of my life at such a young age. I would encourage myself instead to relax and trust that I would find my destination along the way, in plenty of time, and remind myself that the greatest lessons about life will be learned in the journey to that final goal. Concerning the transition from high school to college, I would advise myself not to fret, that it would turn out to be easier than I would expect. I would encourage myself to trust more in the kindness of my future professors and fellow students, because with their friendly presence and help, success would be closer within reach than I could imagine.

Kelli

I would most certainly have wasted less time focusing on sports and socialization when I began college. I sacrificed the grades I could have earned during my first term so that I could spend my time meeting people and practicing with my team too often. Get the full college experience, but don't forget why you're there in the first place! Don't let other things take priority over grades, no matter how tempting.

elisabeth

Find the college you love! Be at a place you can not live without, rather then just a place you could live with. It is going to shape you are become as an adult. Be sure to have options. Dont set yourself up for failure by going to a place all of your friends are going to, be unique., be couragous, be yourself. It might be the first time in your life where you are able to start over. Take advantage of it.

DeAnna

I would tell them to visit the campus before you attend because there is a certain atmosphere for each campus that may or may not suit you that well. I attened 3 different campuses and I fell in love with Western Oregon University when I went and I definately made the best choice by going to Western Oregon.

Alicia

The right college won't find you just by looking at websites. Students and parents need to see and get the feel for the campus before going. They need to find out whether or not they are comfrontable with school and its location. When visiting you get a feel for the campus and whether or not you will be sucessful there. That is the key to finding the right college. Knowing yourself and in what enviroment you do your best in.

Spencer

I think its all about going to every college you have in mind to see if you like the campus. I think the biggest part for me was visiting Western Oregon's campus. I fell in love with the campus and from then on I knew this is where I wanted to be. Also I think something you should look into is if the school offers the right programs for you. That should be something else that influences your decision on the school you choose to further your education. To make the most out of you college experience I think you need to communicate with as many people as you can. The friends you make in college are the ones you will be with for the rest of your life.

Hannah

Make sure they have a solid financial plan to help students and parents that are unfamiliar with college payment plans. Also check out the loans they offer. If it is your first year try to surround yourself with new people that are probably going through alot of the same thing that you are ( nervousness, anxiety, excitment, homesickness, etc.).

Christina

Why is it that so many people are unable to cultivate their full potential? It is because people cannot see this one basic concept. People are like trees. Let me explain myself here. There are many kinds of trees and they all require different conditions to reach their full potential. No tree is better than another, they are just different. A farmer knows that he cannot plant a palm tree in the North West and expect it to thrive. It is too wet. But apple, maple, and fir trees grow wonderfully under the same conditions. People are in many ways the same as trees. What may be the right conditions for one person might be the worst conditions for another. So before choosing a college you should know what kind of tree you are. Do you learn better in a small classroom environment? Do you enjoy the city or the country? Are you an auditory learner or hands on? There are many aspects to consider. What may have worked for your parents, friends or siblings may or may not work for you. Choosing the right "growing" conditions are essential for reaching your fullest potential at college and throughout life.

Tricille

My advice to parents about finding the right college would be to find a school that allows students to get involved. May it be in volunteer work or in student government. By having extra curricular activities, students are able to network and build friendships. College for most students can be overwhelming. This is the first time students are exposed to a wide variety of personalities. Many students will learn to make their own decisions. By having a strong positive influence of student activities, it will enable students to stay focused and avoid potentially dangerous habits. Of course, the course work and focus based on their childs career is important. College is a costly investment. Therefore, the more the career geared course work available, the better the investment is spent. Overall, parents should pick an institution that both them and the student will feel at ease with.

Kayla

Tour the campus multiple times, including when class is in session. Talk to the teachers in your major field. Once you start going to the college, go to class regularly. Make use of study groups. Balance school, social life, and health. Use the tutoring services at least once so you know if it helps you. Go to at least one obscure school function just to see what kind of people are there.; you never know what you might find in common with them.

Amanda

If possible talk to campus faculty, professors, and students when visiting the college. Everyone's views are different so it's helpful to obtain a variety of opinions so see what fits best. I encourage students to get involved in clubs, government, and intermural sports they help make friends and provide stress relief from classes.

Daniel

Dear Students, First, congratualations are making it this far! Yes, studying and obtaining an education can be tedious, but I promise you that it will be well worth the perseverance required. I consider the years of that I have been in college to be my absolute favorite, and continually look forward to the coming terms and years that I have remaining. My advice to you, as you begin your college experience, is threefold: first, make sure that you actively participate in class and regularly attend; also, stay connected to your college and what is going on in the college life/atmosphere around you; lastly, take a lot of time to spend with good friends and develop relationships. All three of these tips lead you to a stronger support group and a better education. Class participation and attendance really allows the instructors to aid you in whatever way possible. Being connected to your college and the various campus activities brings a sense of security and makes the environment feel more friendly. Plus, the time that you share with your friends will truly impact who you are and where you head after college. Study hard, make memories, and have fun! Daniel Bowdoin

Teresa

Save money for fun times and make sure that you are picking the school that has the best education for the lowest price.