4 Steps To Help You Choose The Right College
Does the idea of choosing a college make you feel old? Has it been a while since you were enrolled in formal education? Don’t worry if the answers to these questions are “yes” and “yes” because there isn’t a time limit on wanting to be better. If anything, going back to school is an excellent decision for anyone who plans on boosting their career.
Whether it’s learning a new skill to enable you to launch a startup, such as leadership, or taking your current expertise to the next level to climb the corporate ladder, the collegiate system welcomes you with open arms.
However, deciding that you want to enroll is only the beginning of the journey. Before you can experience lectures and classes online and in-person, you have to pick an establishment. Choosing a place to educate yourself is imperative as not all universities are created equally. Some are better than others regarding specific subjects and departments, for instance.
Therefore, you should think about your options carefully before applying. After all, it’s a long and expensive process if you get it wrong. For those who don’t know where to begin, please read the advice below. Here are the four main steps to consider to choose the most suitable college.
The Endgame
Hopefully, you have thought about where you want to be in the next five years. A plan is imperative as it’s a type of career roadmap that lets you avoid the pitfalls and follow the path of least resistance. Sadly, far too many students fail to recognize their planned endgame when evaluating their options.
There are several factors to consider, including price (more on that later), yet the crucial factor in your future is what you want to be and how your college can help you get there. If you take a look at the top nurse practitioner programs in the country, you’ll notice the courses are with specialist organizations, such as Walden and Creighton University.
While Yale or Harvard are among the most prestigious schools in the world, let alone the US, their resources might not give you the boost you are searching for as there isn’t a strong focus on nursing. As a result, even if you are lucky enough to attend, it could be a waste of time and money.
Always keep your career goals and targets in the forefront of your mind to avoid venturing off track.
The Affordability
It is naive to pick a college without factoring in the price. Your education shouldn’t come at a cost, but it does for many students, even older ones who have incomes. Remember that any pay bump will be offset against your loans, so the entire point of attending university again could be negated if tuition rates are high.
However, it’s about picking the cheapest college with the lowest “sticker price”. Think of your education like clothes. The biggest brands are less affordable upfront, yet they save money in the long-term due to their greater quality. You need to strike a balance between affordable now and further down the road.
There are three options - private, public (out-of-state), and public (in-state). The former is the most expensive, but it also has grants and bursaries that make it cheaper for the less wealthy. Then, there are full and part scholarships for brilliant students. You might get your tuition subsidized due to your circumstances.
Financial aid is available. Unfortunately, the sticker prices of affordable universities indicate the costs regardless of your circumstances. As always, it’s wise to crunch the numbers to figure what you can and can’t afford.
In-Person Viewings
Once you have a ranked list of your top choices, you’ll find it tough to split them because they all have pros and cons. Sometimes, the attributes on paper are misleading, or they are understated. Plus, there is one feature you might not consider - the atmosphere. The environment in which you will study is essential because it should challenge you to strive for more.
The only way to get a feel for the vibe is to visit a college. When you are on-campus, you can gauge how happy people are and how much they enjoy their education. You can talk to the teachers and understand their philosophies. You can even ensure the rooms are light and bright and not dungeon-like!
Wherever possible, you should visit your shortlist of colleges at least once. However, the more the merrier as you will miss things during the excitement of your first viewing. Of course, online universities are different as everything is done virtually. In this case, a virtual open day is a smart move.
Whether it’s remote or face-to-face, don’t forget to ask powerful, open-ended questions that will give you an insight into the teaching and social culture. For instance, “Do your professors hold office hours?” highlights how far teachers are willing to go for the sake of their students.
Your Commitments
The process is simpler for younger generations. With fewer responsibilities, they don’t have to worry about how much the course will take out of them and whether it will be worth the hassle. They invest in the experience from the outset and take stock when the three years are over.
You’re different. With a significant other and kids, you can’t disappear for hours on end and not take their feelings into account. Sure, your family wants you to follow your dreams, yet they also need a partner and a parent to help them through challenging periods.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go back to school. Instead, it means you might need to make compromises. Choosing an online course is a prime example since the virtual nature of the classes provides you with extra spare time. When you don’t need to travel to attend, you don’t have to worry about lengthy commutes on top of a full-time job.
Once you find a college that can balance your commitments, you shouldn’t procrastinate. Finalizing your application early gives you the best chance of being accepted!
Only you can decide, so which establishment will you choose to further your career?