Applying to colleges is both an exciting and stressful experience with a valuable result, especially if students dedicate time and adequate planning to properly weigh their options. Regardless of where a prospective student chooses for their higher education journey, finding the perfect school for each individual requires an analysis of various factors.
Suburban Family spoke to education professionals who provided informative insight to help students and families understand four major aspects to consider when choosing the right college.
Academic Programs
Many colleges offer highly specialized niches to truly home in students’ interests and talents for their future professional fields. There are also elective classes within a program that can help students find their individual callings if they aren’t sure yet. After all, trying new things is a part of the college experience.
“My advice to every prospective student is to go where they are called to be: This means be selfish – start with what you truly love to do and how you enjoy learning. Then explore colleges in person by going for visits, open houses or even a ‘day in the life’ like we offer at Lycoming. This allows you to meet current students, sit in on classes, speak with instructors and get a real feel for life on campus,” says Richard “Chip” Hinton, associate vice president for enrollment management, Lycoming College. “I also firmly believe that small liberal arts and sciences colleges are the best place for those students who want to discover all of their interests – not just a major with a cookie-cutter curriculum.”
Location
There are many great schools across the nation, and South Jersey is fortunate to have some of them close to home. Some students want to leave the state for college, while others want to be able to easily go back home whenever needed. Both have their pros and cons: It expands a student’s worldview to experience a new place, but leaving home is a major transition. Of course it is a very exciting time, but students may also face accompanying challenges.
“Students – and parents – need to understand what it means to attend college and this includes preparing emotionally and psychologically for the challenges of college. If a student would like to live on campus, they will need to gain a sense of independence and self-reliance while in high school,” says Joel Lang, director of college advisement and school counseling at Padua Academy.
Despite any concerns about adapting to independence, college life encourages the self-reliance that is vital for adulthood. Even if attending college close to home, living in a dorm is often a brand-new experience. In the modern era of technology, parents can still help their children if needed – even from afar. If leaving home isn’t realistic, many colleges offer online instruction.
“Psychologically, if a student will be living away from their parent(s) for the first time, it’s important for them to mentally prepare for the separation. While technology such as FaceTime and social media allow students and parents to stay in touch with greater frequency, the physical distance can be daunting. This can be more stressful for the parents than the students,” says Lang.
Campus Culture
The ideal campus culture is one that promotes individuality, curiosity and comfortability. However, this encompasses different elements for each individual. Maybe a student is looking for an experience different from high school with expanded freedom and diversity, while another might like structure and that small-town feel where everyone on campus knows each other.
Regardless of preference, an optimal campus will provide a culture that is conducive to learning, safety, success and a pleasant experience. These vital factors are reflected within the culture among the student body, and a positive environment builds a community that collaborates and celebrates one another’s successes.
Post-Graduation Opportunities
Professional opportunities can begin during one’s time in college. Internships, portfolio and résumé creation, and field experiences often don’t start until after freshman year, but it is always a good idea to start considering a school’s offerings in this department prior to enrollment.
“Choosing the right career pathway in college requires support. Luckily, small liberal arts and sciences colleges offer personalized guidance from mentors and advisors to help students select the right classes and experiences that will prepare them for the real world,” says Hinton. “At Lycoming, our Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences provides subject-specific career guidance, helping students build pre-career experiences like research, internships and global study, along with essential pre-professional skills like résumé writing and interviewing, ensuring they’re well prepared for their future.”
Ultimately, the right college will make this natural – not stressful – and a culmination of everything they’ve taught. It will also provide students with a built-in network of connections from educators to classmates. The most important thing to remember is that every college path is different for each individual and with the modern abundance of options, each student can find exactly what and where is right for them.
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 15, Issue 2.
For more info on Suburban Family Magazine, click here.
For information about advertising in Suburban Family Magazine, click here.
To find out where to pick up your copy of Suburban Family Magazine, click here.
