Which College or University to Choose: Factors to Consider

It is time to start thinking about which college you or your child will be going to and which major to pursue. The options are many. Factors like should you go to a big or small school; liberal arts college or research university; and budgeting are among some of the considerations you will be making

By JC Scull

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions you or your child can make; perhaps as important as which field of study to pursue. This decision will have a lasting impact on the student’s personal and professional life and it’s one that goes beyond an undergraduate diploma, as it is also important for those seeking a post-graduate degree.

Unfortunately, colleges are frequently chosen based on emotion rather than a set of well-thought-out criteria. High school students in some cases choose universities in order to stay close to friends, perceived prestige of an institution or parental pressure. While a student can still attain a good education and perform well academically irrespective of how a decision was made, undergoing a higher level of scrutiny will yield far better results.