Rate Your School

You probably can’t wait to go to college. You’re ready to meet new people, gain your independence and experience campus life. Have you selected a school yet? It’s understandable if you are still trying to make a decision. A couple of schools may appeal to your interests. Here are a couple of qualities to keep in mind to help you narrow down your list:

Size
Are you the life of the party or do you avoid crowds at all cost? Why is this important? Basically, your comfort level could help you determine the right campus size for you. Large campuses usually attract a large amount of people. So if you’re not a fan of crowds, a large school may not be right for you. On the flip side, if you like having tons of people around you, a small campus may not be ideal for you.

Distance
Some people like having the comforts of home close by. Others prefer being far away from home. Keep your personal preferences in mind as you make your decision. With the price of airfare nowadays, you may want to factor in travel prices. You don’t want to constantly have to bum money from your family just so you can get home.

Teacher to student ratio
This is very important especially if you require a lot of personal attention. At a large school, you may have one professor lecturing hundreds of students. At a smaller school you’re more likely to get smaller class sizes. You’re also more likely to get the personal attention that you may need.

Cost
If you don’t have a college fund or a full-ride scholarship, price is an important factor. You want to find a college that is reasonable in price. Remember, a hefty tuition doesn’t necessarily ensure that you will get a great education. It’s possible to find great degree programs at lower-tuition schools.

Accreditation

According to the U.S. Department of Education, “the goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality.” Accreditation also determines if a school is eligible for Federal and State Financial Aid Programs. So make sure that you look into the accreditation of your prospective school.