25 Things to Consider When Choosing a College

Going to college is a huge step. If you’re checking out options, you’ll want to consider a few things before you enroll in a program. Here are 25 considerations to keep in mind. Think of it as a handy checklist to help you choose the school that’s the best choice for you.

Cost of Living

Some cities have higher costs of living. If you pick a good North Carolina college, though, your daily expenses would be a lot lower than someone who’s studying in New York. That’s one way to save on costs.

Distance from Home

How far is the college? If you need to go through 3-hour commute every day, consider other options.

Housing Options

Check the on-campus housing. Are the options good? What about off-campus housing units?

Sororities and Groups

If you love to be a part of sororities and groups, check if the campus has them.

Scholarships

What kind of scholarship programs does the school offer?

Campus Job Opportunities

Are there part-time jobs that you can pick up?

Online Programs

For a more convenient and flexible schedule, consider choosing an online degree program.

Program Inclusions

What areas of study does the program include? What will you learn?

STEM VS Liberal Arts

Does the campus emphasize the importance of STEM subjects, liberal arts subjects, or both?

Catholic

Choose a college that offers a Christian education. That helps strengthen your moral compass and values even as you improve your academic skills.

Do the Math

If you plan on joining groups, make sure you have enough in your budget to handle the miscellaneous fees.

Diversity

Is the student population of the campus diverse? That’s a good sign.

Internships
Does the school offer promising students internships?

Extracurricular Activities

Pick a school that offers activities that your kids want, whether that’s soccer, tournaments, and more.

Weather

Is it chilly or sunny? The weather is also a factor, since it affects how you’ll spend your time and how you can meet program requirements.

Sports

Does the school have a good sports team?

Food Options

What kind of food is served? If your kid has an allergy, are there food options available?

Transportation Hubs

How far is the school from transportation hubs like a bus station or train station?

Create a List

Come up with a list of pros and cons about every program or degree before you take your pick.

Rank Your Priorities

What are your goals? What do you want to achieve?

Talk to Students

Ask advice from friends and family.

Go on a Virtual Tour

Check out what the campus looks like. Can you see yourself having fun and studying in that environment?

Look for Feedback

What do other students say? What’s the reigning feedback about the school, its staff, and programs.

Know How Long

How many years is the program you want?

Consider Reputation

What kind of reputation does the school have? It wouldn’t hurt to reach out to current students to get a sense of how student life is like.