5 Important Things to Consider When Choosing a College

When looking for your next academic adventure, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the many options and aspects you may have to consider. However, there’s no need to be alarmed; every prospective college student has felt this pressure at one time or another. Going to college can be challenging, but there's no need to make it harder by overthinking! Here are our top 5 things to consider when choosing a college: 

 

Scholarships and Work Studies  

Often, the price of your top colleges probably seems daunting and discouraging. That is why we suggest taking the time to sift through the college's available scholarships. Colleges often offer various scholarship opportunities to first-year and transfer students. You can find McKendree’s scholarships here! These scholarships can provide you with the financial assistance that helps make your college decision easier! Additionally, some colleges even offer work-study opportunities as another way to help you pay for your tuition, and fortunately, McKendree has several! 

 

Distance 

Perhaps you are nervous about how far or close the college is from your home. This challenge, too, is quite normal. You might like to be close to campus and enjoy the proximity of family and friends, or you might like to have the space to explore life on your own and live on campus. No matter your preference, the distance of college from your home is something you should consider when choosing a college. Some colleges, like McKendree, offer incentives to students who live within a certain distance of campus, which might also be a deciding factor. You should consider climate, area, and transportation costs as well when considering traveling far for college. All these features can also influence your decision to stay close or move far.  

 

Classes 

Another aspect you should consider when choosing a college is what classes it offers and whether they align with your interests or chosen major. It's okay if you're undecided on what you wish for your exact major to be, but having a general idea of which classes you want to take is always a good idea. It also helps narrow down your list of colleges if some do not have classes for your interests or major. As GradGuard mentions, it is equally important to consider the size of classes. You may feel more comfortable with a college that focuses on big lectures, or, in contrast, you may prefer smaller, more intimate, discussion-based classes that offer greater one-on-one chances with your professors.  

 

Student Organizations 

Whether you choose to commute or live on campus, it's essential to discover what type and how many student organizations your choice of college(s) offers. Student organizations, such as clubs, fraternities, and honor societies, can help you feel more at home on campus, allowing you to make new friends, explore your interests, and become more involved in college life! Having student organization experiences on your resume or transcript can help you stand out to employers or graduate schools after your life at college. If one college on your list has more student organizations than another, that may also help you in your final decision.  

 

Student Resources 

The last aspect you should look into when considering where to attend college is the amount of student resources that will be made available to you. Most colleges will offer their students a variety of resources that are there to help them with life on and off campus. That said, some colleges have greater or better-suited resources than others. These resources range from mail and transportation services to counseling and health services. The CareerExplorationProgram also stresses to keep in mind what services the college offers its graduating students such as career coaching, alumni networking, and career internships. As a prospective student, you should always see what your college plans to provide for you. 

 

Searching for and deciding on the right college can be one of the most stressful and overwhelming decisions, but with this checklist, it can also be a super exciting and fun process! Education websites, such as Collegeboard, offer three online quizzes to help you in the right direction with your college search if you want further assistance. If you start feeling overwhelmed, take a break and return to your search later. You will know which college is right for you. The Bearcat family wishes you the best!