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Selecting a College: Questions to Think About
Location - Would you prefer staying closer to home or going far away to school? What about the setting - a city, suburban, or rural environment?
Type & Size - Would you prefer attending a coeducational or single-sex institution? A college or university (i.e., a school with graduate programs)? A liberal arts school, an art college, or an engineering/technical institute? What about a church-related school? Does the size of the school matter to you – small (under 2,000), medium-sized (2,000-7,000), or large (7,000+)?
Academic Reputation & Selectivity - How competitive are the admission standards of the college (and how realistic are your chances of admission)? What is the school's intellectual atmosphere (e.g., is the well-stocked library the place to be)? What percentage of the students goes on to graduate or professional studies? What are the curriculum requirements – especially distribution – for college graduation?
Specific Admission Requirements - Which high school subjects are required for admission? Check the GPA, class rank, and test score averages for last year's successful applicants. Does North Carolina residency help? Remember that some out-of-state private schools may be looking for geographical diversity and might feel more favorably about you than you would expect. Do you have special talents which might aid your chances for admission?
Costs - How important is the cost of the school to you? Consider tuition, room and board, other fees, books, travel to and from school, and spending money in your calculations. Remember the difference between public (though out-of-state will cost more) and private schools.
Financial Aid - Check the availability of merit scholarships offered by the school. What about grants, subsidized loans or work/study programs? At many schools the large majority of students receive some form of financial aid.
Social Life - Look into cultural events offered by the schools. Do students leave on the weekends? What about campus safety? Are there clubs, fraternities, sororities, intramural sports and recreation facilities? Is there a campus newspaper? A radio station? A student government? Are you interested in intercollegiate athletics? What is the racial, ethnic, and religious diversity of the student body? Is that important to you?
Housing - Is housing guaranteed? Are a variety of alternatives available? Do most students live on or off campus? Why? (Remember to check out this factor when you visit the schools.)
Majors and Special Programs - Does the school offer the major you are interested in (assuming you are in the minority who "know what you want to do")? Does it offer ROTC? Junior Year Abroad? Co-op programs? Honors Programs? What about a Job Placement Office, personal counseling, or support services for students with disabilities?
And Don't Forget - Consider the needs/expectations/desires of your family in this decision. They care about you (and may be paying for it). Are there family ties to a certain school (it might even help you get in)?
