| #ffffff;" /> | | | | for a college education. Much of this decision is |
| Selecting a college has always been a very big | | | | based on the financial resources that the student |
| decision for students evaluating their options. | | | | and/or parent have. Most parents advocate that |
| Today there are even more choices than ever | | | | their students remain close to home to defray |
| and some dangers along the way. Not only are | | | | living expenses. Other costs besides living |
| students faced with choices of the traditional | | | | arrangements that are sometimes pricey include |
| classroom, but also the virtual campuses that | | | | out of state tuition. Another concern that |
| have became a popular contender over the past | | | | students face when moving off to college is the |
| several years. There are several factors involved | | | | lack of family support and contending with |
| in choosing the correct school and much of the | | | | roommates in the dorm situation. College is |
| decision is based on academic performance. For | | | | stressful enough and can sometimes cause a lack |
| some lucky students that have achieved greatly | | | | of interest or study habits when faced with dorm |
| the acceptance letters will be stacked up before | | | | mate problems. Of course, the cost of |
| they ever walk their high school graduation stage, | | | | attendance is much less if the student remains in |
| but for the rest, they are faced with walking the | | | | the parent's home. Most colleges require that if |
| tight rope of deciding which college. | | | | the student is not within living distance of the |
| College Entrance Testing | | | | parents that they live on campus for the first |
| All colleges have guidelines for acceptance to the | | | | two years of attendance. Again depending on the |
| University and then many of the departments | | | | financial situation this can prove costly. |
| have other requirements. When applying to a | | | | Traditional V.S. Distance Education |
| university it is important to understand that most | | | | There are positives and negatives to both the |
| colleges require a college entrance examination | | | | traditional and distance education options of a |
| such as the ACT or SAT with a passing score. | | | | college education. Over the past several years, a |
| Most require an essay detailing your goals and | | | | rise in popularity of virtual classrooms has |
| educational plans over the next couple of years. | | | | surfaced. There are two negative issues that |
| Considering the specific department that you are | | | | must be considered when looking at an online |
| looking to enter into will determine the | | | | university. First, the student must make absolutely |
| requirements of college entrance. Many | | | | certain that the university is regionally accredited. |
| departments such as the Nursing departments or | | | | Most of these online universities will boast their |
| Psychology department have strict guidelines | | | | accreditation, but students must verify that the |
| requiring your entrance testing and previous GPA | | | | accreditation is by the regional educational board. |
| to tally to a certain level before you will be | | | | One quick way to find out if they are legitimately |
| considered. That is the reason that it is highly | | | | accredited is to see if they can offer Federal |
| important that you plan for the college entrance | | | | Financial Aid, not only loans by private financing |
| tests and study to prevent a declination letter. | | | | companies. Secondly, distance education is more |
| Choosing a college is not only about the entrance | | | | costly than the traditional classroom setting. It is |
| guidelines, but it can prevent you from entering if | | | | anywhere between $1500 and $2500 per five |
| you have not scored well or performed poorly in | | | | semester credit hours. Now that does not |
| high school. | | | | compare with the prestigious universities tuition |
| Field of Knowledge | | | | rates, but neither does the diploma at the end of |
| Having a basic idea of what career field that you | | | | the college career. |
| want to study is another good way to determine | | | | Again, research and ensure that you are making |
| which college is right for you. Not every college | | | | an informed decision. Sometimes you can obtain |
| offers the type of degree that you may be | | | | information through the Internet or your local high |
| looking for so it is important to research before | | | | school counseling office when deciding which |
| applying. Most universities have websites that give | | | | university to attend. Another huge downfall that |
| a detailed list of degrees offered and the time line | | | | must be considered when looking at online |
| in which most students complete the program. If | | | | universities is the fact that the student must |
| you are looking for a nursing program, you would | | | | exhibit excellent study habits and self-discipline. |
| want to make sure that the university that you | | | | There are no set times for classes or professors |
| are looking at offers a nursing program. Be careful | | | | to answer to if you over sleep. This can cause |
| with entering one college to get basics, believing | | | | some students to fall behind and actually cause |
| that all the classes will transfer to the next | | | | their college career to be much more difficult. |
| university. In many cases, the credits will not | | | | Choosing a college should be a decision that is not |
| transfer and then you are stuck with credits that | | | | made overnight. There are many issues to |
| are worthless. | | | | consider and students should really think it through. |
| Close to Home V.S. Distance | | | | After all this decision will affect the rest of your |
| One of the biggest decisions for most students is | | | | life and career. |
| whether to attend a local college or move away | | | | |