College Selection Guru

Liberal arts colleges are popular in the U.S. for providing high-quality undergraduate education and for producing some of America’s top postgraduate students and leaders in the fields of education, government, business, industry and the arts. These colleges have several key features that make them stand out from other colleges and universities.

A liberal arts college is small which translates to small classes and faculty-to-student ratios of one to 8-15 range. Student bodies here range from only 300 to two thousand.

The quality of teaching is high due to a number of factors. With smaller classes, the teachers have more time to mentor individual students and grade their term papers. Faculty members often have more teaching and student advising loads and are expected to put more focus on the introductory and advanced undergraduate level. There’s less pressure, too, for faculty to accommodate large research contracts which usually distracts their attention from teaching undergraduates.

Students in a small liberal arts college enjoy face-to-face interaction with their teachers who know them by name and not just their ID numbers. They gain the full benefits of a professor who cares about their ideas, interests and their work. Undergraduate students also get to be involved in research programs which is not often done in large universities. They are also encouraged to engage in debate which helps them dig deeper into concepts and improve their communication skills. And with a small population, students develop a strong bond in this type of school.

Education from a liberal arts college covers a wide range of fields from the arts and humanities to the social and applied sciences that prepare students for various occupations. Students are trained in critical thinking, reasoning, communication and quantitative skills instead of narrow technical and professional fields. Mastering more than one discipline enhances the mind’s flexibility and promotes a well-rounded individual.

Although only a few liberal arts colleges have engineering or business departments, most offer computer science and IT courses nowadays. Many of these colleges remain strong in the field of natural sciences with a good number of their graduates proceeding to medical school or science doctoral programs.

Liberal arts colleges provide a balance of challenge, support and freedom that is so much like parenting. Individual students are nurtured well by their teachers and exposed to new and different ideas and experiences with trust that they will eventually reach their goals. The opportunity to explore a variety of fields is meant to develop their flexibility especially as they are expected to change careers in the future. Experts believe students will shift from one career to another at least eight times while working.

Selecting a good college or university should not be too stressful. If you know what you want in life and you have your own criteria in searching for the right school, then it would not be too hard to pick the best among the rest. In general though, you should have an idea of what makes a good college.

The ranking of the best colleges and universities in America is one key feature considered by many people. The U.S. News and World Report rankings, for instance, are based on SAT/ACT scores, high school class ranks of freshmen, rates of retention, alumni donations and average salaries of faculty. Efforts have also been initiated to rate schools based on how their graduates fare after leaving school.

An institution’s reputation is also very important although this should not be just your sole consideration when choosing a college. A college or university with a good reputation means high standards, talent, more financial resources and hardworking administrators, faculty, staff, students and alumni. And it does not always follow that popularity goes with a great reputation because there are highly regarded schools that are not well known. Do find out then what’s behind the good reputation.

A reputation may be due to age. For instance, a school may have been established a hundred years ago and have produced many top graduates, faculty and researchers. Their successful alumni may have helped finance new facilities and scholarship programs in the school.

The selection process in college admissions also contributes to a school’s reputation. A highly selective institution usually gets more applicants than it can admit and the students accepted show great achievements, leadership skills and talent in the academics and extra-curricular activities. This high degree of selectivity often leads to a reputation of quality education.
A good college should have a considerable number of professors. The presence of a large body of professors allows a school to offer many unique courses not available in lesser known colleges.

Opportunities for research are another consideration. This normally depends on the presence of accomplished professors who have completed and are still doing significant research projects.

A college or university with lots of extra-curricular activities in addition to its academics often attracts students. These are dependent on the clubs and other organizations existing in the school. Some schools though have quite interesting clubs that can’t be found at other institutions.

Other key features to guide you in your search include intelligence and competitiveness of student body, job networks, endowment, a pleasant campus, graduate school placement, strength of school programs, great sports teams and good food.

College and university rankings are one way of knowing a school’s performance based on several categories. They are worthy guides to selecting the right college for teenagers and parents although they need not be the sole consideration in college selection. With higher education becoming so costly these days, parents and students have the right to learn whether the high tuition they pay will be spent well.

Rankings measure the value of a college or university based on certain factors. They are based on a survey conducted by publishers among colleges, universities and students to gather information on a number of factors. These factors include the number of students enrolled, student-to-teacher ratios, availability of financial aid, demographics, quality of life and availability of sports and extra-curricular activities, among many others. The U.S. News Best Colleges, Princeton Review and Washington Monthly College Rankings are the popular college and university ranking publications. The other resources for college rankings include Kiplinger’s Guide, Campus Dirt and Best 361 College Rankings.

The U.S. News, being the most popular source of college rankings, classifies each school based on its mission while universities and colleges offering undergraduate and master’s programs are ranked based on location. Universities focusing on research and offering doctoral programs are ranked separately from liberal arts colleges. Data are then gathered from each school in 15 areas in connection with academic excellence. Schools covered in the rankings are regionally accredited and have at least 200 students enrolled. U.S. News uses seven indicators to measure academic quality – peer assessment, retention and graduation of students, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni donation and graduate rate performance.

It does not always follow that top-ranked colleges and universities offer the best education, although they may be perceived as prestigious. These institutions, which attract a large number of students, may offer disadvantages such as big classes with only teacher assistants delivering instruction. This is in contrast to lesser ranked colleges where one-on-one interaction between students and fulltime professors is present thereby giving more value for the student.

Remember that the best college or university varies for every student. It should be an institution that maximizes a student’s potential to learn and gain knowledge. Choosing the best school should be based on the student’s own ranking system that involves educational goals, career objectives, admission requirements, degree and course offerings, transferability of credits, learning preferences, school’s reputation in the student’s chosen field of study, teacher-student ratios, campus location, housing options, student support services and cost of a college education.

There are various sources of information that will help teenagers choose the best college. Be sure to obtain as much information as you can about the schools you are considering.

You may begin your search with the U.S. Educational Information and Advising Centers that are located in almost every country worldwide. These centers normally have a library with directories, university catalogs, guides, handouts and reference books to help you in applying for colleges and universities in the U.S. Many of them have also come up with guides, videos and web sites targeted at students abroad. In addition, they provide computer based college search packages to help you choose the right colleges and they have a trained staff to answer your queries either in person, by mail, by phone and by email.

Check the college websites and email your prospective schools. Being the leader in internet usage, most universities and colleges in the U.S. have their own websites that provide lots of information about degree programs, application procedures, academic departments, campus facilities and other subject matter. You may study their online college catalog or download it. Once you have narrowed down your choices of schools, you may email the admissions staff or professors for further inquiries. The sites usually give email addresses for current and international students. There are some websites, too, that allow you to search for schools according to the course you are interested in, geographic preference and other criteria that you specify.

College fairs and visits are definitely an exciting way to learn more about schools. You may ask about the schedule of these fairs and visits from any U.S. educational information and advising center nearest you. These events provide a great opportunity for students to talk to admissions officers. Many of these fairs are held in the spring or fall of each year so be sure to do your search early.

Campus visits and tours are usually led by current students and are a fun way to get a personal feel of the school. Contact the undergraduate admissions office for schedules. During the tour, explore the various parts of the campus such as the classrooms, library, housing facilities, cafeteria, the student center and also the neighborhood. Chat with some students to know what college life in that school is really like. You can also ask about some private organizations that offer tours of U.S. colleges to help students select the right schools for them.

There are countless resources available today for teenagers researching on college selection. It is important that you gather as much information as you possibly can in selecting a good college for you to give you more options. Make sure though not to limit your research on just two or three resources. The more resources you use, the more information you will be able to obtain and surely, the more satisfied you will be.

Your school’s guidance counselor should be your first resource. The early you consult your guidance counselor, the better. You even start while still in junior high school especially if you’re one who is serious about the future. The senior year is also the best time to do your research. School counselors usually have a career guidance program to help graduating students decide what course they should take in college. They should also have a list of colleges and universities for students to choose from. Feel free to consult them as often as you wish because they are there to guide you in your transition from high school to college.

The internet is your next best resource. You can do your research online at school libraries or even in the comfort of your home. There are numerous sites dedicated to college selection and resources available on the internet. Just type the keywords in the search box of your chosen search engine site and you will get various options in one click. You can choose to read the details online but it’s better if you have the information printed so you can go through them many times over.

College fairs are also conducted by colleges and universities every year. Attend them when you can to personally meet school representatives and officers. This is the best chance to get first hand information on your prospective colleges. Get copies of flyers and brochures as well as they are usually distributed for free to students. Don’t hesitate to ask questions because the school representatives look forward to providing you with the needed information ranging from admission requirements, tests and courses offered to student population, clubs and housing facilities.

A personal visit to your potential college will surely boost your research. You can join campus tours with your friends or family. Visiting the campus will give you a better feel for the school as you check out the buildings and facilities and mingle with the students. Go ahead and interview students because they are the best source of information concerning student and social life in the campus.

Location is one of the major factors in college selection. As teenagers pursue a post secondary education, they need to assess the criteria they want in selecting the right college for them. And the location of the college or university plays a vital role.

It is necessary that teenagers about to enter college ask themselves if they want to be near their home while studying or live independently away from home. Do they feel the need to go home every weekend or do they need the support of their family every day? Are they prepared to live on their own in a far location on the other side of the country or even abroad?

In evaluating the geographical location of a college or university, consider also the size and type of town in which the school is situated. Is the institution in a small town, medium urban area or in a large city? The pros and cons of these locations should be weighed properly based on what it can offer students.

Find out if the location is just right and if it offers enough opportunity for students especially when it concerns their field of study and potential career. Nursing students, for instance, need to be exposed to the medical profession either through a hospital owned by the school or an affiliate hospital outside the campus. For those majoring in history and the arts, check if there are museums and galleries near the school? Exposing students to all their options is crucial in their college education.

Cities referred to as “great college towns” are best for students wanting to expand their perspective. For those who enjoy either a fast-paced or relaxed lifestyle, Boston, San Francisco and New York City are highly recommended as several higher learning institutions that offer cultural diversity are located there. Various degree programs are offered by colleges and universities there while there are also technical schools for students interested in culinary, business, nursing and computers. The three cities each have an art school best for those keen on fashion, media and art.

Keep in mind that every region in the U.S. provides both rural and urban settings and different climate. Schools located in the cities offer a wide range of facilities for housing, eating, entertainment and shopping. A university in the rural area may mean a peaceful environment more conducive to learning. While selecting the location, it’s best to consider as well the accessibility of the school to facilities and services that will be useful to students during their studies.

The climate is another thing. Colleges and universities in the northeast enjoy the four seasons while those in the southern part like Arizona and Florida have sub-tropical weather. Choose the institution with a climate that you are most comfortable in or can easily adjust to.

Choosing an Ivy League University for your college education may provide disadvantages for prospective undergraduate students. This, despite the high quality, elite education the school offers.

The eight universities comprising the Ivy League are very large. Unless you can excel in your field of study and make yourself known, you will only remain a number in the school. Being a large school also means having a large student population which is not advisable for those who like small classes that provide a good interaction between teachers and students. Your class will probably have around 100 to 200 students. And if you have questions that need answers, you will need to go to the teacher’s assistants during office hours and stand in line.

The Ivy League schools also have a large Greek system or the fraternities and sororities. You may find this uncomfortable especially because of the high pressure to join those groups while studying in an Ivy university.

The tuition fees are also very expensive at Ivy schools so you need to really prepare a huge budget for that. Financial consideration is indeed a key factor for many students eyeing to get into the Ivy league. The cost of education at exclusive private schools is definitely high, no question about that. For instance, you will need to spend approximately $40,000 a year including the fees for room and board. This, sometimes, puts pressure on parents who will need to work doubly hard to spend for their children’s education in Ivy schools.

As most students enrolled at Ivy universities are away from home, they need to stay in a housing facility which adds to their educational expenses. Housing on-campus and off campus at these prestigious schools may be costly.

As for the academics, they too are very hard and competitive. Degree programs entail rigorous coursework and research which can really be a big challenge to students. Students would need to really focus on their studies and that can be stressful. Professors, many of whom are intellectuals and awardees, may also be intimidating especially those who expect so much from their students. Many professors are more focused on their research and are less interested in teaching. What happens, most often, is that they just give their students paperwork for a specified time and do a little discussion afterwards. In addition, students might get discouraged in the presence of a large class where he is just a number and professors do not really know their students by name as compared to other colleges.

Don’t limit yourself to the Ivy universities in choosing your college. Find out what you really want in life and what course and career you would like to pursue. Always weigh the pros and cons of an Ivy school, large universities and colleges before making a decision. Good luck!

The Ivy League is referred to as a small group of established private universities in the northeastern part of the U.S. that offer high quality education and attract top students. The eight universities that comprise the league are Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Princeton and Yale. They share a common interest in scholarships and athletics and benefit from donations and financial support from generous alumni.

Although the Ivy League universities are highly selective and pursuing your education there is very costly, they provide huge benefits for students. Of course, a degree from any Ivy League school will always make your resume attractive to employers and you will be able to join a valuable network of alumni as well. The instruction and mentoring you will get in the school will prepare you for greater competition in the graduate programs and will help position you for prestigious awards.

Ivy schools guarantee high quality education. This is evident in the extensive selection process and admissions requirements. Selectivity assessments are normally based on a number of factors such as admissions test scores, essays, community service and work experience, special talents, awards received and hobbies. Quality is also assured through the presence of highly regarded professors who are experts in their respective fields. Degree programs are another consideration as some Ivy schools offer top-rated courses such as in engineering.

These “ivies” also implement non-discrimination policies meaning they welcome transgender students, faculty and staff in their schools. All of the eight colleges and universities now include gender identity and expression in their policies. Brown University was the first Ivy League school to approve such policy in 2002 while Yale University was the last to implement it in September 2006. The Gender Public Action Coalition hailed this development adding that the policy will benefit all students regardless of how they identify their personalities.

International students can greatly benefit from Ivy schools which accommodate people from all over the world willing to pursue their studies in the U.S. Many outstanding international students also prefer to enroll in these universities because of their reputation. A good reputation is most often associated with quality teaching and learning experience for students.

Extra curricular activities in Ivy universities are aplenty. With its large campus size and student population, a wide range of activities are available for students. These include sports, fraternities and sororities, cultural clubs, hobby clubs, community service clubs, university newspapers, arts, music ensembles, among many others. Ivies have great sports teams which attract the athletic students. In fact, the term Ivy League originally referred to a sports league (football) for several colleges in the east coast.

Related Link: Nouveau Riche University - Learn more about the Curriculum Advisory Board Members at Nouveau Riche University

Community colleges can pose several disadvantages to students. One of these is on transferring credits which can often be a problem. Usually, each college that offers four-year courses has its own requirements on the subjects needed for enrollment. However, there is now the so-called articulation agreement between community colleges and other four-year colleges nearby allowing associate degrees to qualify for transfer of credits. Sometimes, students are also allowed to complete their bachelor’s degrees through distance learning from the community college campus. Several states have also passed rules allowing associate’s degrees to be credited to bachelor’s degrees upon transfer to state universities.

Many courses in community colleges are taught by part-time lecturers with a master’s or bachelor’s degree in the field. A study done by the University of Washington’s Labor Center has found that community colleges utilizing part-time or adjunct faculty have lower graduation rates compared to those that have full-time teachers. Adjunct professors may not always deliver quality education as they juggle from several teaching loads in different schools. This can cause them to be less focused on their teaching in just one school. Students will suffer as well because of the little attention they may be getting from their adjunct teachers.

Another disadvantage is the lack of on-campus housing in some community colleges. Unlike in many universities, dorms are not available in small colleges so those who opt to enroll in these schools will have to find housing facilities such as apartments or halls off campus. This may discourage students from taking part in extra-curricular activities. This is also an added cost considering that students away from home will have to commute daily to and from school.

People holding associate’s degrees from community colleges earn less income compared to those with bachelor’s degrees, according to research. The number of years of study has been found to be directly related to job earnings. This only means that the years of education are more valued in the workplace than the associate’s degrees or certificates.

Opportunities for research are also limited because of smaller libraries compared to large universities that provide state-of-the-art facilities. It is a fact that research entails having as many resources as possible and limited resources in small colleges is quite a disadvantage.

There may be fewer sections as well available for students to enroll compared to four or five sections in four-year colleges. Lower-division courses needed for a certain major are not likewise offered in some community colleges. At present though, many community colleges have enrollment programs with local universities that allow students to complete the needed lower-division courses before transferring.

A community college is a center of education developed to serve as a bridge from high school to college by offering courses for transfer to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree and to prepare student for the job market by providing entry-level career training. There are currently 1,173 public and independent community colleges in the U.S.

Community colleges have several advantages which may benefit students. First of all, they cost less than state or private colleges and universities. This will save you a considerable amount of money in your first two years of college since you will still be living at home.

For those who are undecided on what to major in, the community college is the best alternative. Here, you can initially take a two-year associate’s degree and find out as you along with your studies if you want to earn a bachelor’s degree. In a community college, students can explore various fields of study before committing to a specific program. You can take different courses here allowing you to make different options as well without having to be bothered about finances. Community colleges also offer rigorous guidance counseling to help you determine your abilities, interests and education choices.

This type of school is also ideal for people who have been out of school for some time, those with average or low GPA and those who want to develop their skills before moving to a four-year college. A community college is open to everybody compared to colleges and universities that have selection criteria like a minimum GPA. It usually offers classes with college-level coursework and one-on-one tutoring to help students improve their basic skills. Classes are smaller, too, allowing teachers to focus on each student.

Community colleges have career-oriented degrees like fashion design or computer certification program not often offered in four-year colleges and universities. The school also provides several options for students who wish to be employed after graduating from a community college. There is the two-year associate degree (Associate of Arts or Science or Associate in Applied Science) that involve specialized courses like computer repair or electronics and general education subjects like English and math. Meanwhile, for those wishing to take courses in a specialized field but are not keen on earning an associate’s degree, they can go for the certificate courses that take from six months to one year to complete. These certificate courses offer rigid training as well in specialized fields like food service technology, paralegal studies or computer-assisted drafting.

Finally, community colleges are more flexible compared to four-year colleges that require fulltime classes mostly during the day. In community colleges where the student population is very diverse, course schedules are developed based on the needs of part-time and fulltime students of varied ages, experience, family background, socioeconomic standing and employment status. There are classes during the day and in the evening as well as during weekends. Many community colleges also offer online courses.