4 Tips for Choosing the College of Your Future

With skyrocketing costs, it can be difficult to make a sound decision on the college of your choice.  Do you go for the top-tier diploma, knowing that you could accumulate a mountain of debt, and that maybe you won’t like your job when you get out of college?

Or do you choose a more affordable career college that gets you your degree and applicable job skills faster?

That’s a decision only you can make, but do make sure you think it through carefully, as the next several years of your life will be greatly impacted by your decision.

Here are the tips:

1.  Never Assume the Published Price is the Real Price

You’ll have to factor in scholarships that you currently have, as well as scholarships you could possibly get once in school.  Around 2/3 of college students do not end up paying the full tuition schools quote.  Plus, once you’re in, you can continue to apply for scholarships.

2.  Don’t Just Evaluate the Price Tag…Check out the Culture Too

Is a big-time university with a more impersonal feel more your style?  Or do you prefer the intimacy you get with a smaller career college?  Don’t forget – the career colleges often understand that you’re working a job on the side to get by in life, so they’ll be more accommodating to your circumstances in general.  However, you might also enjoy the pride that comes with the status of being at a larger university.  Whatever you choose is fine – just make sure you weight this factor in your decision.

3.  Check for the Major You Want

If you’re going to school to be a massage therapist or a dental assistant, it makes no sense for you to go to a 4-year university.  Yes, they will talk to you about the importance of having a bachelor’s degree, but in the end employers simply want to make sure you have the personality and skills that fit their workplace culture.  That’s something you can get at a career-focused college for a lesser price than the four-year schools.

4.  Choose the College You’ll Enjoy

In the end, you’ll know which college it is that you’re supposed to go to.  Make sure you survey a good sampling of the various colleges available, and then go to the one that feels right.  If you go against your gut instinct, most likely you will end up having a bad experience.

That’s about it – just remember to study hard, and everything will be all right.