| College almost seems inevitable nowadays. If you | | | | may end up transferring to a college that’s |
| want to find a good paying job you have to do it. | | | | closer anyway so why not start out closer to |
| But where do you go? Picking the right school | | | | home and avoid the hassle. |
| doesn’t have to be a hassle. Just follow a | | | | Third, after you've picked your field of interest |
| few simple guidelines. | | | | and narrowed it down to the area you’d |
| First, keep in mind you don’t have to go | | | | like to stay in, you should try and find out if there |
| to an Ivy League school to get an excellent | | | | is an active social scene or what services are |
| education. Although rankings can help you | | | | available to students. Interaction is important and |
| determine which schools are more respected or | | | | if you know going to a school full of bookworms |
| well-known it doesn’t necessarily mean | | | | is not going to suit your personality then the |
| it’s the only criteria you should use. | | | | school will probably not be a good fit. Likewise, if |
| Remember part of the ranking process includes | | | | you are someone who needs additional help like |
| opinions from industry professionals and how | | | | tutoring services or you want a school that will |
| selective the school’s admissions | | | | help you find a job when you graduate then you |
| department is. More important for you is to find | | | | need to look into the schools on your narrowed |
| out about the department you’re | | | | down list and see which is best. |
| interested in and then pick according to how | | | | Remember you’re picking a school where |
| respected that program is. | | | | you’re planning to dedicate the next four |
| For example, Ivy League School A may make | | | | or five years of your life. The most important |
| the top of the rankings every year but when you | | | | thing is to know your own personality, strengths |
| investigate their biology department you discover | | | | and weaknesses well enough to figure out |
| that their college of science isn’t as well | | | | what’s best for you at this point in your |
| respected as a local public university in that field. | | | | life. Some colleges offer more student assistance |
| Always base your decision on what it is you want | | | | then others, some have better parties then |
| to do. If you haven’t decided and you | | | | others, some have a better curriculum but what |
| want to explore a bit then you probably at least | | | | you’re looking for is the right combination |
| know if you want to major in a liberal arts field or | | | | of everything that works for you. |
| science so pick accordingly. Also make sure to | | | | A good example of this is a major like |
| visit professional directories or licensing board | | | | Architecture. If you know from the beginning you |
| websites if available to find out what schools they | | | | want to stay close to California and you have |
| endorse if your degree is something you’ll | | | | your heart set on studying Architecture, knowing |
| need to receive licensing for before you can | | | | that this is something you must be licensed to do, |
| practice. | | | | you can search for the accreditation board that |
| Second, figure out how far from home | | | | approves architecture programs and look for |
| you’re willing to move. If you like your | | | | schools within a certain region as far north as |
| family and friends and can’t imagine not | | | | Washington and as far east as Arizona. Just doing |
| spending the holidays with them or seeing them | | | | these two steps will narrow your list to just five |
| on a regular basis then don’t move to New | | | | schools in California and a few Universities outside |
| York if you’re from California. After six | | | | the state within your specified region! Try it for |
| months you’re going to get homesick and | | | | yourself. |