Choosing the right school for you can be overwhelming because there are so many options.
But don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place! We have compiled a list of things you should consider before choosing your school.
Here are seven important factors you should keep in mind as you pick your school
1) Location
First, location is important. If you are a commuter student, location may not matter as much since it will not affect your daily commute and work schedule.
However if you live on or near campus and plan to walk around during breaks and after class then it is imperative that the school is close enough to where you live in order to make this possible.
Some schools also offer shuttles between campuses which would eliminate some commuting stress but this varies from school to school depending on availability and access points offered.
2) Program of Study
Students should be sure to consider their program of study when choosing a school. A law student will have different needs than an accounting student or an art major.
The cost, location, and size of the school are important factors as well.
You should also think about what you want your post-graduation goals to be and whether the degree you are studying for will help you achieve those goals.
For example, if you are looking to go into the business world, then it would make sense for you to look at schools that offer undergraduate degrees in business administration.
If after reading this blog post, you still aren’t sure what school is right for you, we encourage you talk with an admissions officer at one of our partner schools!
3) Cost
Cost can be one of the most important factors to consider when deciding where to study abroad.
The cost of your program, as well as the cost of living in the country you are studying in, will determine what you can afford and how much money you have left over for travelling or spending time with friends.
If you are on a tight budget, look into programs that offer scholarships or opportunities to work while studying. These may allow you to save up some money while still being able to live comfortably abroad.
You should also investigate the various ways that your home university may subsidize part of your education overseas.
4) Duration of Program
One factor to consider when choosing a school is the duration of the program.
If you’re not sure how long you want your degree to take, then it’s better for you to choose a school that offers shorter programs.
Another thing is whether or not the program has professional accreditation.
Accreditation is important because it validates that the school follows standards set by an outside agency and can be helpful in getting jobs.
Another factor is where the school is located.
Location matters because if you commute every day from home, it’ll really cut down on your study time. But if you live close enough to walk or bike, then it’s not as big of a problem.
Location also matters because some schools are just too far away from home and commuting would be too much hassle so think about what will work best for you.
5) Admission Requirements
Some factors that should be considered when deciding on a school are the admission requirements, location, cost, and reputation.
Admission requirements may be different from institution to institution.
Some schools require the SAT or ACT exams. Others may require an essay or application form.
When considering location, think about how far away you would like to live from campus.
The cost of tuition is another important factor and will vary depending on whether you are in-state or out-of-state.
The University of California (UC) System, for example, is one of the most expensive universities to attend in California because it has more students than any other public university system in the state.
UC Berkeley’s total yearly cost for 2016-2017 was $30,798 while UC San Diego’s was $22,098.
The reputation of your prospective school can also play a role in your decision making process.
6) Class Schedule
The class schedule is one of the more important factors to consider when choosing a school.
Classes are typically scheduled in 45-minute blocks with 15 minute breaks between classes.
At my school, for example, the schedule usually looks like this:
8:00-9:15, 9:30-10:45, 11:00-12:15 PM; 12:30-1:45, 2:00-3:15 PM.
If you have commitments outside of school hours (like work or childcare), you need to find out if they will interfere with your ability to attend classes at certain times during the day.
My advice would be to pick a schedule that gives you plenty of time before and after work or other commitments so that there is no overlap and your studies can progress unhindered.
7) Campus Life
Campus life is an important factor to consider when choosing a school.
Whether you’re into the social scene, studying all the time, or partying on weekends, there’s always something happening on campus that interests you.
If you’re looking for more of a small-town feel and prefer getting involved in extracurricular activities, then a smaller school might be perfect for you!
On the other hand, if you like being able to walk home from class and want to find friends who are just as interested in binge-watching Netflix as they are in discussing class readings, then a larger university with dorms may be better suited for your lifestyle.
The size of your school will also affect how accessible your professors are; some professors only hold office hours on certain days, so it’s worth taking this into account before deciding which institution is best for you!
