The Dos and Don’ts of Choosing a College
Within my first few years at Arcadia University, I became a Student Program Ambassador (SPA), and in being a part of the SPA program, I learned a variety of skills and knowledge about Arcadia and how to decide where to go to college. Also, as an SPA, we have a variety of tasks, including attending open houses and new student events, and writing a series of emails to new and prospective students. This position has taught me how to speak with individuals about choosing Arcadia and what Arcadia has to offer. The University offers a few different resources, including the study abroad program, which can be an interest and push people to choose Arcadia. However, some people may have different interests and may not want to attend a specific school, so it’s extremely important to know what you want and who you are when deciding what school to choose. So, with that background in mind, I have generated a list regarding the dos and don’ts of deciding where to attend college.
| DOS 👍 | DON’TS 👎 |
| Visit the college It’s extremely important to know what the school looks like and how big or small it is. Some people prefer a small school, while others may want a bigger school that’s focused on social aspects. |
Accept a college decision without doing any research It’s important to do research when applying for school. This is because some schools may offer a wide variety of things, including clubs you may be interested in. Do not apply to schools randomly without learning about them. |
| Make sure the cost is reasonable Everyone has different circumstances; some may receive scholarships, while others do not. So, it is very important to consider the cost of the school and what financial aid options are available. You want to make sure the school is a comfortable price for you. |
Let others make the decision for you Do not give in to what others may want you to do. It’s ultimately your decision, and you must do whatever will make you the happiest, not what others may want you to do. |
| Look into campus activities It’s important to consider the job opportunities that are at your school and other activities on campus. You want to make sure the school has events that you enjoy and that you can get involved in. |
Choose only based on athletics Although a school may be extremely good in sports, it may lack in the academic area of college. It’s important to try to pick based on both rather than just athletics. |
| Look into the social scene When choosing a school, it’s important to know the social scene that will be there. Some people enjoy a lot of socializing and a lot of people, while others may want a quieter campus. |
Pick based on the college ranking Do not pick a college just because it’s ranked high on a rating list. While this is something to consider for the particular program you’re interested in, there are other factors at play. You may not like the school and be unhappy just because you chose a school based on a high ranking. |
| Look at the location Consider the location of the campus to make sure the school is not too close or too far from where you live. Some people enjoy being close to home, while others enjoy being far. |
Let others make the decision for you Do not give in to what others may want you to do. It’s ultimately your decision, and you must do whatever will make you the happiest, not what others may want you to do. |
