What Does Your Ideal College Look Like?

Where will your college be? Will you look for colleges in your hometown, your home state, or out of state? Will you search for in the city, the country, or colleges in the suburbs? Do you want to live at home, on campus in the dormitories, or in an off-campus apartment? What type of college are you looking for; a technical or trade school, two year or four year colleges? Also will you pick a public (state) or private college, or a liberal arts college?

What are you looking for in a student body size? Would you like a men or women’s only college or a co-educational college? Are you looking for a large (more than 10,000) medium (4,000-10,000) or small (less than 4,000) college? Does ethnic or religious breakdown or affiliation make a difference to you? Do you know any family, friends, or other students from your school or community that attend the college you’re looking into? What types of majors and/or programs are offered and what are you looking for?

What is the college’s academic reputation for teaching styles (hands-on, lecture, seminar)? Are the classes taught by actual professors or teachers assistants? What are the average class sizes of the college, and are you able to study evening, weekend or part time or full time only? What are the qualifications of the average student that is accepted? What is the average GPA, SAT/ACT, and class rank?

What type of non academic activities are you looking for; things like sports (Division I, II or III) both collegiate and intramural, clubs, music, arts, SGA, fraternities or sororities, jobs on campus and all extracurricular activities. What types of internships, career services, community service, and study abroad options are there for you?

Another very important component to ask about that most don’t think about is the support services or programs the college offers? Do they have counseling and tutoring and is it free, and who is the tutor a student or a professional? The next really important thing to consider is the cost of the total tuition, room and board. Do they offer in-state or out of state tuition? What is the percentage of students that receive financial aid and what is the opportunity to renew financial aid after the first year?

How to find out this information? Talk to people – family, friends, teachers, and guidance counselors. Attend college fairs at your school, local schools, or national NACAC fairs.
Use the Internet to research colleges and have them send you information. Finally, schedule campus tours, visit campuses, and engage admission staff.

Aaron Smith
University Advisors

March Madness Is Over

UNC earned the men’s basketball championship vs. Michigan State University last night. Congratulations to the team!

When I was a child, I always wanted to attend a Division I school that had a winning men’s basketball or football team. I admired the passionate crowds, the fan celebrations after winning important games, and generally wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself. I wanted my alma mater to be a winner!

Well, I never attended a Division I school for college and I’m glad I didn’t. It wasn’t the right fit for me academically, athletically, or socially. As a teen-ager making my final college decision in the spring of my high school senior year, I was advised by family to consider a small school with a personalized education. It didn’t have a huge student body or a big brand name, but it did have classes taught by faculty, administrators that knew my name, and classmates that were probably more passionate than the ones I viewed on television as a child. Plus, I was able to graduate in four years, enroll in a top ten graduate program, and successfully begin my career in higher education administration.

Who needs a national championship when you have all that?

Liam Dunfey
University Advisors