Factors to Consider When Choosing a College or University
One of the most frequently asked questions is how to select the university of best fit. Choosing a college or university is a crucial decision you have to make in your life. Where and what you study, and whom you meet at school will have a far-reaching influence on your future.
Hopefully, the factors we are discussing here will help you narrow down your list of selections.
1. Location
Location is really important to consider when comparing universities. It can determine people you will meet, living costs, career, and a lot more.
Depending on which university you choose, you may have to move away from family, friends, and maybe even your country. That means you must get out of your comfort zone, which is hard than it sounds.
Even if you like the school, if you hate its location, the next four years could be tough. We recommend that you schedule a trip to the city and a campus visit if it is possible. If your concern is a job upon graduation, you should make sure you are at a school located near potential employers. It can explain why nobody is willing to study business&commerce in a small village.
Questions to ask yourself:
How far home do you want to leave from your home?
Do you want to live in a big city or somewhere a little smaller and quieter?
What about the weather and local culture?
Do you have friends who are going to the same university?
How well connected is the university to the rest of the city?
2. Size of School
A school’s size can tell you a lot about it. Let’s have a look at the merits of large schools and small schools.
Advantages of large schools
Provide more options for academic programs of study, including hundreds of different majors and concentrations. This can be especially attractive if you haven’t settled on a major.
Have more facilities and amenities such as student housing, libraries, computer access, health centers, gym, and entertainment.
Have large budgets to invest in faculty, research centres, and classroom technology.
Have an extensive alumni network that you can potentially capitalize on in the future.
Advantages of small schools
Tailor instruction to meet the needs of the individual student.
Maintain a relatively low student-to-teacher ratio so that you can interact with peers and professors in a small class setting.
Foster leadership and social emotional skills through increased student engagement.
Enable students to know the alumni so networking is more meaningful and connected.
Questions to ask yourself:
Do you want to attend a large or small school?
Do you prefer a small campus where you can meet the same group of people every day?
Do you want a large university where you can discover more opportunities or something smaller where the professors will have a chance to learn your name?
3. Ranking & Academic Quality
A university or college can be either nationally or regionally accredited. If you are an international student thinking of study abroad in Canada, you must choose designated learning institutions (DLI) for two reasons. Firstly, only designated learning institutions are accredited schools meeting rigid requirements to ensure academic quality. Second, only DLIs can issue a letter of acceptance (LOA) for international students to apply for a study permit in Canada. You can find if your schools are in the list of DLI.
Rankings are fun, but they can also be misleading. Publications like QS & Maclean’s have their own criteria for determining rankings. It does not t hurt to look at rankings, but you want to dig deeper.
Questions to ask yourself:
What is the school philosophy or vision?
Does the school have a specific curricular approach, and if so, what is it?
What educational qualifications do the teachers have?
What kind of technological resources does the school have?
How do the instructors measure individual achievement and progress?
4. Programs and Majors
Now it’s time to narrow it down to a few potential majors. You don’t have to decide on one, just have a range of options in mind. Most schools will readily provide this information on the About or Admissions pages.
Questions to ask yourself:
What subjects are you interested in?
Do you meet the admission requirements?
Do you want to get work experience while you earn your degree?
Can the program lead to further education？
Can you study abroad on international exchanges?
5. Career Centre Services
Some universities or colleges invest heavily in career counselling services, and others do not. Career counselling is valuable in helping you enhance your skills, knowledge, and confidence in career development. After all, we all have to put eyes on the return of attending school, and we all need to pay off our student loans.
Services of Career Centre Include:
Create a career goal that inspires you;
Learn how to research the many opportunities available;
Prepare resumé, cover letter and LinkedIn profile;
Leverage networking and interview skills;
Get access to career fairs, employer recruitment sessions, industry panels and more.
Questions to ask yourself:
What services are there to help you succeed?
If you’re interested in medicine, law, or specialized graduate studies, how can the university help you prepare?
Does the university have co-op programs to help you explore career options?
Does the school have an active alumni network?
What percent of students can find jobs after graduation?
6. Career Goals
It is really hard to pinpoint your job of career after graduation because it needs time and because we are changing. However, you might have an idea about your interests and what you’re good at. That’s where you can start. You should check the statistics of employability for various departments and programs.
Questions to ask yourself:
Are you creating a career for society, for your parents, from your passion, or for money?
Do you enjoy working independently or in a team setting?
What challenge excites you the most in your life right now, and why?
Are you willing to come out of your comfort zone?
7. Financial Cost
There are so many education options this age: university, college, online education, certificate, professional training, etc. Some will put you into debt for many years, while others will cost you less than ten bucks.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for international students studying in Canada will depend on the type of program and the university
Bachelor’s degrees will vary from $18,000 up to $56,000 per year in tuition, while annual tuition fees for Master’s degrees will cost between $17,000 to $62,000. Technical and medical courses are generally more expensive than art courses. Surprisingly, business courses are in the middle-high range.
Cost of living
Tuition is only about half of the total cost of attending university. Housing, transportation, food, books and other cost-of-living expenses account for a much higher “sticker price.”
Questions to ask yourself:
How much is tuition?
What does it cost to live on-campus vs. off-campus?
What portion will you pay, and how much will your family contribute?
How can you access financial aid or bursaries?
Are there paid co-op or internships to help pay for school?
8. Safety and Diversity
Most colleges and universities have campus police and security guards who patrol the grounds. However, students and parents can – and should – dig deeper. Check the website for data on the crime rate. In terms of diversity, Toronto named the most diverse city in the world by BBC Radio.
Questions to ask yourself:
What is the university doing to cultivate a safe campus?
How does the school communicate with students in an emergency?
Who investigates an allegation of sexual assault or sexual harassment at the university?
Are alcohol and drug abuse a significant issue on campus?
How does the school protect students who live off-campus?
9. School Life
Many of your best university memories will happen outside the classroom. Outside of lectures, you’ll hang out with friends, study or work on group projects, grab a bite or drink, attend events, use the athletics or recreation facilities, and more.
Campus life varies immensely from school to school. For some people, it can be just as important as academics in shaping their experience.
Questions to ask yourself:
Are the students who go there enthusiastic, proud, or happy?
What kinds of activities and events can you attend on campus?
Do you think a party campus sound like a fun part of the college experience or just a distraction?
Where are the cool places to grab food and hang out with friends?
How do residences accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies?
Recommendation
Choosing a college or university is more than the name on the degree or diploma. SchoolFit encourages you to visit the campus. You’re going to be spending four years of your life in this place. You want to ensure that it is somewhere you want to be.
Some aspects of the school you chose are more critical to you than others. It’s up to you to decide which aspects are more important. It’s all about fit!