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How to Choose a College That’s Right For You

5 Things to Consider When Choosing a College

Going to college will be one of the biggest decisions you will make in your life, and choosing a college is just as important if not more so. When asking yourself “what college is right for me?”, there are some factors you should take into consideration:

Major offerings: You will want to make sure the schools you’re looking at offer your intended major, and it’s important to know how the programs compare with one another. Talk to the major departments if you’re able to. That said, do not be discouraged if you do not have a major by the time you enter college. Plenty of students find their majors after a few semesters while some will change their areas of study after taking various classes.

Size of the student body: The size of a school’s student body can have a substantial effect on the kind of experience it can provide. Larger schools may have more major choices, opportunities to get involved, and resources but they could also be intimidating and some students could easily get lost in the shuffle. Smaller schools may not be able to provide what larger ones can, but they may also allow students to have stronger relationships with faculty and staff. It’s important to understand that every school is unique and has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Private school vs public school: In some instances whether a school is public or private goes hand-in-hand with the size of the student body, but keep in mind that there are small public schools and large private schools. A school’s designation could have an impact on its mission. For example, a public school may focus more on research while a private school may pride itself on a more liberal arts-based approach to education.

Affordability: Whether a school is public or private will determine its cost. Families should have a discussion on what they’re able to pay before beginning the process of finding the right college. Tuition and fees tend to be higher at private schools, but that should not discourage potential students. Utilize resources like financial aid, scholarships, and net price calculators to see how much you will really pay. A private education might be more affordable than you think.

Location: You should also ask yourself where you want to go to school, as in where it is located. Do you want to stay close to home or go out of state (which will also affect cost)? Is a college town more your speed or do you want to live in a big city? Answering these types of questions will hopefully point you in the right direction when determining how to pick a college.

While these are not the only characteristics that can be taken into account when making your college choice, they should give you an idea of what you’re looking for. Once you have a list of schools that interest you, visiting the campuses is the best way to determine which college will be the best fit. There are plenty of factors to consider when determining how to choose the right college, but ultimately you should pick a school where you feel comfortable and have a sense of belonging.

Why the University of St. Thomas in Houston May Be the Right University for YOU!

At the University of St. Thomas in Houston, 92% of our students say they would choose us again if they could start their college career over. From our range of degree programs to our graduate school flexibility to our strong tradition as Houston’s Catholic university, students choose the University of St. Thomas for any number of reasons.

Want to learn more about UST? Schedule a campus visit today or speak with an Admissions counselor.

By Marcos Canales
Marcos CanalesMarcos Canales is a freshman admissions counselor in the University of St. Thomas Office of Admissions. With more than 10 years in higher education, Marcos helps students make the transition from high school to the University go as smooth as possible.

About the Author — Staff

AvatarThe University of St. Thomas is the only Catholic, liberal arts university in Houston, Texas. We have 35+ undergraduate majors including STEM, Nursing, Business, Education and Pre-Med. Located in a vibrant urban environment just minutes from downtown and the famed Texas Medical Center, we welcome students of all races and religions to our diverse and collaborative campus.

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