By: PAIGE FOSTER
Staff Writer
With the end of the school year fast approaching, many of El D’s seniors are faced with the difficult decision of which college to attend. Such a daunting task requires research, advice from trusted friends and family, and a certain amount of faith. While this process may be a difficult one no matter what, these ten tips can help students decide which school is best for them.
- Visit the campus if possible
While this tip may sound obvious, many students would be surprised by what an impact the physical campus can have on their feelings about a particular school. This past summer, I flew to Louisiana to tour Tulane and then to Texas to tour Baylor and TCU. Tulane was my top choice before the trip, but after I had spent time in the city of New Orleans and toured Tulane’s campus I decided that I couldn’t live and serve a community that I disliked so much. By contrast, I was considering not even applying to TCU and was merely going to tour it because of its close proximity to Baylor, and I ended up loving the school and the surrounding city. A tour can give a student a clearer picture of what their life would be like if they were to choose that college.
- Explore the extracurricular activities unique to that college
Most colleges will have the basics like green clubs, foreign language clubs, community service outreach organizations, and sports, but it is worth considering which extracurriculars are particularly well-developed at the school. Small liberal arts colleges, for example, may not be ideal for a student who enjoys the camaraderie and competitiveness of a well-run sports program.
- Consider your future career
College is, ultimately, a means to an end: A career. When picking a school, a student should consider which school is best for their major and for their career prospects after college. This is especially true for students who want to go to graduate school – such as medical or law school – after their undergraduate studies. Remember also that some schools afford more opportunities for research, others for community service learning, others for study-abroad options, and so on. Think about which college offers supplements to their curriculum which could be particularly beneficial to you and increase the probability of post-graduate success.
- Take stock of the institution’s core values
Every institution will have basic tenets they choose to structure the culture and curriculum of their school around. Religion-centered schools place particular emphasis on this facet of the college experience, and so students who have strong faith may want to consider attending a school with the same values. However, it is worth mentioning also that every college campus will have different religions and religious groups, and religious students should not pigeonhole themselves into believing that they cannot attend a secular college. No matter a student’s spiritual affiliation, they should take time to explore the values the college holds central to the education they provide.
- Develop trust in oneself
The fifth and final is to learn to trust yourself. Every college affords students opportunities to meet new people, expand their horizons, and further their progress towards a future career. There are no bad choices when it comes to choosing a college, though there is bad reasoning. Don’t choose a college because of its prestigious name, your family’s expectations, or a desire to escape. You may soon find yourself living a life that is not your own. Instead, you should choose a college that will nurture and guide you towards your goals and connect you with like-minded people. After you have gathered all the necessary information about a college, trust your intuition to guide you to the school where you will best fit. Good luck!