college

Choosing the college that's right for you may look like a frightening task. There are so many colleges, they may look impossible to sort out. However, it's possible to choose if you attack your problem in a systematic way. There are certain things you'd need to know about a school to decide if it's someplace you'd want to go. The first thing to do is define just what you need to know.

Do you know what kind of job you want? If so, what should you major in to get that job? Not all colleges offer all majors, and not all programs are equal. Look for colleges strong in what you want to do.

What if you don't know what to major in? You can still take classes in a variety of subjects. In fact, you have to do that whatever your major. You can see what grabs you. Meanwhile, there are other things to consider.

How close to home to you want to be? Commuting distance? Home-on-weekends distance? Or are you content to come home just during breaks?

How big a college do you want? A small college may have a smaller student to teacher ratio, or you may be able to get between any two buildings in the ten-minute break between classes. A larger college will have more majors to choose from, more options for campus life, and the name may be more recognized on a resume when it comes time to find a job.

Do you prefer a rural, urban, or suburban environment? You can probably get around an urban environment without a car, and there will be more cultural attractions. Then again, perhaps the seclusion of a rural campus might be what you need to concentrate on your studies.

Suppose you've decided to look for schools of 5,000 to 10,000 students with good journalism programs in medium size cities, and you want to be within a three hour drive of home. The next step is to identify colleges that meet that description. Your high school guidance office is a good source of information. Many colleges have web sites. Any college will have a brochure to offer and may give out course catalogs as well. Many also send recruiters to high schools.

Ask some questions about the college. What's the graduation rate? What's the loan default rate (indicating graduates may be having trouble finding jobs)? Is the school or program eligible for Federal financial aid? Is the program that interests you accredited? Can you meet the admissions standards? What other financial aids/scholarships do the colleges have?

Then next step is to apply at the schools that interest you and find out if they'll accept you and what sort of financial aid package you'd receive.