How to select College: One of the most pressing questions facing recent high school graduates (or those about to graduate) is the question of post-secondary education. For those graduates who decide to continue their education – be it at a community or technical college or university – the decisions must be made quickly and with a great deal of consideration and How to select college or university program let’s find out.
How to select College or University? What Debt May be Involved in Achieving a Post-Secondary Education?
The very first question that a graduate should ask themselves is whether a university degree or a college diploma would aid them with coursework in meaningful ways – in short, How to select college, will that degree or diploma open up doors of necessity, or will it rather hang about the neck with the pressing weight of debt?
With student loan agreements exacting a large degree of interest from a huge principal, students (i.e. borrowers with no established credit) need to weigh the costs of any investment with caution.
How to Select, and Choose a College or University Program
Considerations to take into account when selecting a potential college or university include:
- what reputation does the school hold for academic excellence? (consult various news sources, research individual departments to determine faculty and sources such as Maclean’s provide university rankings)
- what is the cost of the entire degree or diploma, including residence and meal plan costs, health insurance, student union dues, recreational fees, and travel costs? (remember, a great many people take longer than the minimum stated time frame to complete their studies due to any number of emergent contingencies)
- what type of social and nightlife can be expected from each city and campus? (be sure to scan not only the website of the educational institute in question, but use Google to search the surrounding area for entertainment, pubs, nightclubs, and other amenities that will be necessary during a student’s downtime)
Steps to Take – How to Select, Apply for Entrance to University or College and Scholarships / Bursaries
Before applying, be sure to visit the school counseling or career advice representative (oftentimes the administrative office) in search of bursary or scholarship forms. Whether the student is a visible minority or not, several scholarships go unclaimed every year because students do not take the time to fill out the requisite forms!
College Application Essay
Writing a college application essay can be an intimidating process, but with the right preparation and guidance, it doesn’t have to be! A great place to start is by understanding what the admissions committee looks for in a successful applicant.
Researching topics of interest and preparing outlines can also help ensure that you write a clear and organized essay. When it comes to actually writing the essay, consistency is key. Be sure to check for any spelling or grammar errors, as well as factual accuracy.
Finally, don’t forget to ask someone else to do my assignment for me — having a fresh set of eyes review your work will help make sure the essay is error-free and stands out from other applicants.
SAT Test
In the United States, SAT Reasoning Test score results are a foundational block in determining the realm of possible entrance into most post-secondary institutions. In Canada, while SAT scores do not exist, most universities and colleges will require a full academic transcript.
Personal Letter
Additionally, academic and personal references and letters of reference may be required – students should be sure to approach teachers that have been particularly supportive of their work and ask them for letters of reference recommending the student for post-secondary study. Take note that these letters are almost always confidential, so be sure to only ask instructors who will be sure to give an excellent reference!
Letter of Intent
In some cases, it might also help to write what is known as a personal statement – a letter of intent, in other words. Outlining goals, and desired outcomes, and highlighting past academic and extracurricular successes will work very well. Similarly to a cover letter attached to a resume when applying for a job, a personal statement should be concise, focused, and sincere.
After preparing academic and professional (work-related) references, reference letters, and letters of intent, any high school student should be fully prepared to apply to post-secondary educational institutions – from technical schools to Ivy League universities.
Wrapping Up
Graduating high school seniors have to make the difficult decision of where to attend college or university for post-secondary education.
The costs of a potential university degree or a college diploma must be considered, including principal loan amount and interest rates.
Factors to consider in selecting a college/university include the academic excellence and reputation of the school, cost, and availability of social/nightlife amenities.
Before applying, students should look into bursaries and scholarships, acquire academic/personal references, obtain SAT test score results (or full academic transcript in Canada), get letters of reference from teachers who can give an excellent reference, and write a letter of intent outlining goals and desired outcomes.
Also Read: Why Apply for SBI Credit Cards? – A Complete Guide