I live in Houston, and want to go to school in Austin, which is a notoriously liberal city, much more so than anywhere else in Texas. Do you think that is wise, since I know I will be accepted to UT and there is nothing wrong with them besides the fact that they're HUGE?
2006-06-21 11:30:02 · 8 answers · asked by oldwhatshername 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
As a Texas, and Houston resident myself, I can understand the lure of heading to UT. 6th street, Austin lifestyle, etc. Not to metion, hill country is not too bad either.
With that said, I think there are a few things you should consider before packing your bags and heading up 290 to Austin.
1. What is your plan "after" college? Does going to UT provide for you what you need to get there?
2. What is the main driving force for you to move to Austin?
Once you answer those questions, then you may be able to make the decision. However, picking the right school and doing your research is very important. The most important research you can do is to increase your own self awareness of what you need and then match that to the right school.
From a planning perspective can you answer the following:
1. What are my strengths? What am I good at?
2. Instead of thinking about my major, what do I want a career in? What are my career interests?
3. What do I know about my personality? Do I have a preference for extraversion/introversion, etc. How can I be sure to "fit" my career, and my college choice?
4. What are my values? What matter's most to me?
The start of your college research starts with self awareness. If you can honestly answer the questions above, then you will be more informed and can make a confident decision on what is the right college for you.
Here are some links for good steps in self awareness.
1. Strengths: http://www.strengthsquest.com This site is becoming widely used by college and universities in their leadership programs.
2. Interests: http://apps.collegeboard.com/myroad/navi... This is a career interest service provided by the College Board. Good start at interests.
3. Job market and outlook: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ This site is run by the Dept. of Labor on current job and economic trends impacting the workplace.
4. Personality: http://www.typefocus.com/ This site provides a free personality assessment that you can use for learning about your personality preferences.
By doing some of your own "personal" homework, and increasing your own self awareness, you can then truly make a well informed decision about what college to attend and if going to Austin and attending UT is the right choice for you.
I hope this helps!
2006-06-21 11:43:26 · answer #1 · answered by professorofsuccess 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A lot of people do. Hopefully the school is a good one. But think of this. Someone can go to an excellent university in a wonderful location and barely pass, whereas one can go to a lesser known school in a blah location, and excel in their career afterward.
The alternative is to go for an online degree and you can live anywhere you want!
It all boils down to how motivated you are to study and learn wherever you go.
2006-06-21 21:08:09 · answer #2 · answered by Joe_D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's important to consider all aspects of a college. Do you know what their student-to-instructor ratio is? Are you ok with their dormitories? Do you agree with and/or respect their academic policies, and any other policies they might have? Is their program in your major solid? Have you met any of the professors? All these things will affect your college experience, so if you're uncomfortable with any of them, you should reconsider.
2006-06-21 18:36:09 · answer #3 · answered by celery_endaliel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Location shouldn't be the sole deciding factor in choosing a college, or even the biggest one. Choose the school that you think is the strongest academically, and one where you think you'll be successful socially in making friends.
2006-06-21 18:48:30 · answer #4 · answered by Nick 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
both are important factors. It affects a lot of your life so go with your gut feeling (the good one)
2006-06-21 18:36:46 · answer #5 · answered by ham1773 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends. If their size is a big detractor and you will be unhappy at school, then don't go.
2006-06-21 21:29:33 · answer #6 · answered by ronnieneilan1983 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is dumb unless you're fine with their academics as well.
2006-06-21 18:32:15 · answer #7 · answered by yofatcat1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no as long as it is a good college and you are gong to get a good education
2006-06-21 18:32:14 · answer #8 · answered by Meg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋