How to Find Right Online College for u

There are 2,474 four-year colleges and universities just in the United States, but how do you choose the right one? There are considerable pitfalls to choosing a college solely on the basis of the following reasons: your partner is going there, your best friend is going there, the students are good-looking, there are a lot of parties, the football team is top-notch, the school is well-known or highly acclaimed for its prestige, or it just looks good in the pamphlets. These are all insufficient reasons for selecting the right college.
Let’s go through them one by one. Just because your boyfriend or girlfriend from high school is going doesn’t mean that you should. Your life is really just beginning. Once you get to college, one of you could realize that you want to see other people, or stay single to focus on studies, or either of you might meet someone new. Even if you think you’re going to spend the rest of your life with someone, feelings are fickle, and you need a less flimsy reason to choose a college. If you follow your best friend to a college, or vice versa, you are likely to miss out on one of the greatest gifts that college offers, and that is the huge variety of interesting people open to friendship. It’s not good to spend all your time with one friend. However, if both of you are interested in the same major, campus, and extra-curricular activities offered by the college, then it’s a good idea to have a friend there. Going to school to party isn’t all that intelligent. Your whole life is ahead of you, and too much partying can cause you to fall behind, fail classes, and end up without a college degree. The tuition costs are too exorbitant to gamble with your studies. Don’t go to a school just because it has an attractive group of students. Pick a college with a strong program for your major, and you’ll be likely to find someone that has your same interests. It’s unwise to chase after the opposite sex the whole time, or you could neglect your studies. While school spirit is important, a good football team is irrelevant unless you want to be on the football team. Prestigious universities might not be right for you. The curriculum could be too difficult, and they might not offer a strong program for your major. The extra-curricular activities could be slim or not fit what you’re interested in. Moreover, there is no substitute for visiting a campus in person and getting a feel for it. You have to see if it meshes with you.
Now that you have seen the reasons that don’t warrant a college decision, let’s look at the important factors that do shape your choice. It may surprise some people to learn that colleges can be mostly agnostic versus mostly Christian. Different schools also have student bodies with different idealogies, e.g., liberal, conservative, progressive, atheist, and more. On campus, it’s critical to have some people that hold the same beliefs as you. You don’t want to arrive at a college widely known for pot-smoking, drunken shenanigans, or a top 10 football team if that’s not your cup of tea.
Location is a factor too. If you need to be near your home frequently, you can save money on driving costs and/or airline tickets if you go to a college in-state. A college far away, but still in-state, can be a lot cheaper than out-of-state even when it comes to airlines. Also, there is cheaper tuition for in-state residents. The next most important thing is the climate and geography. If it’s too cold, you’re going to have trouble and unnecessary discomfort. If it’s in the hustle and bustle of a major metropolitan area, it could distract you. A rural, suburban, or massive urban area could be what you’re looking for. Again, once you’ve narrowed down the environment, it’s important to get a look for yourself.
Furthermore, the size of the student body can be burdensome for some and energizing for others. Do you want a close-knit campus or a garguantan group of students? Also, what are your extra-curricular interests? Do you like student government, politics, the arts, pottery, football, or technology? Choose colleges with exhaustive programs and an acclaimed infrastructure in your program.
It’s also crucial that you understand the types of colleges available, and what each offers in the way of perks and benefits. Here’s a short run-down. Liberal arts colleges furnish the student with a well-rounded education and have ample selection for a long list of majors. Students focus on their major in their junior and senior year. Universities are more prestigious, and they offer graduate and undergraduate programs. It’s common, for example, to have research facilities on the campus. Specialized schools position themselves in a niche, and they focus on one broad topic like engineering or the arts. Community colleges are ideal for students that want a good education prior to transferring to a 4 year college or university. Even the 2 year degrees offered by community colleges can increase the chances of getting hired. The Associate of Arts or Associate of Science offered by community colleges is typically transferrable to a 4 year university. The tuition is much lower, lilliputian in comparison to some colleges. It’s advisable to get involved in Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of 2 year colleges, to get reduced tuition and potential scholarships when you transfer out. The membership criteria is basic, but you do need a 3.5 average or above. Every state and most districts have a website that lists the accredited community colleges and their accompanying information like registration, tuition, etc. Keep focused, and you’ll do well at your college of choice.