How do i know which university is right for me?

Question

I'm supposed to be choosing colleges soon and I have no idea which one is right for me. As far as I can tell, all the schools I've looked at seem the same. Is it the town that makes or breaks a college experience? I know that each one I've considered has a good biology program, which is what plan to major in, so my choice is no based on the quality of education anymore. This crap is just TOO confusing.

Answer 1

To me, it is the college itself, far more than the town it's in, that makes the experience. However, being in a town you really hate can ruin the experience, so you may have a point there.

You don't say what schools you have considered, but I would narrow it down systematically, based on the ones that have the best biology programs.

First, what state? If you go to school in the same state where you are currently a resident, it will be less expensive. For a public university, the tuition will be much lower; for any school, the distance to travel to visit your family on holidays will probably be less. However, I personally liked the idea of being far away from relatives most of my life, because my family was largely dysfunctional. So costs (in dollars) is not the only factor.

OK, within that, the next most important thing is probably large city versus small town which is basically dominated by the school. I went to University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor is a small town that would be almost non-existent if it were not for the university. To me, that means the businesses tend to cater to students (the good news), but tend to resent the students, as well (the bad news).

Or something in the middle in size, or that has other things going for it. For example, I live in Santa Cruz County, California, now. There is a campus of University of California in Santa Cruz (the town, not just the county; I'm up the hill in the woods), but the more important economic fact of Santa Cruz is tourists. Students are not resented because they are not the major economic base. Tourists, on the other hand, are sometimes resented.

Next, do consider the climate and other physical reality factors of the town in question. Do you go nuts if the weather is too hot or too cold? Too wet or too dry? University of Arizona at Flagstaff is a fine school, but if you can't take weather so dry it is a major effort to drink enough to keep from being dehydrated, forget Flagstaff. Don't go to UC San Diego unless you can handle HOT, or Seattle unless you love rain! And so forth.

Then, if you are in or near a larger city, are there cultural factors that make the difference? Many people love Berkeley for a variety of reasons, but surely one reason is being a quick BART ride away from San Francisco, one of the most fascinating cities in this country.

And of course, the cost of living, rent and food and so forth, has to be factored in somewhere, unless you are rolling in money. Stanford is a wonderful school, but Palo Alto is pretty expensive, and transportation if you are going to commute from somewhere less expensive might make it not worth it. (Tuition there is high, too; but they have lots of scholarships, and often brag that if they want a student, they will find the financial aid for them.)

To really choose, you need to know what is important to you and what is not, and then research all those variables for each of the schools you are considering. Make it a reasoned, well-organized analysis, and it will function as an example of how to make decisions later in life.

Answer 2

There are lots of reasons to chose a particular college, and you should sit down and prioritize. Does climate matter? Will you be miserable in a hot or cold environment? Remember that going to college usually means trudging to different buildings at all times of day and days of the week. What about price? Look into private schools, and how much money they give out. Compare that to your state's public schools. What about extracurriculars/fun events going on at the schools? How easy is it to change your major if you change your mind? What percentage of students graduate in 4 years? I also think it helpful to visit the schools you have in mind and also try to contact a student there who will give you straight up answers for all of your questions. Good luck!

Answer 3

What kind of biologist do you plan on becoming. That is such a broad stroke. There are Earth Biologist, Marine Biologists, the list goes on. I believe that you would want a university that not only has a program but a very successful one that has produced capable people who not only loved what they are doing, but people who can contribute to their profession. This and this alone should be your whether vane. Along with a good mentoring -apprenticeship program, you could not only love what you are doing but you would be an invaluable asset to the field.

Answer 4

The town really does make your college experience better. You need to look into what kind of political views the universities have also. Like I am VERY conservative so Texas A&M worked best for me. Also, talk to people who went there or why they did not go there.

Answer 5

get a job.. shop up money and specific stay upstairs so my mom and dad can not stress me to do something because im paying my very own lease and so forth.. we are residing in a huge residing house packed with family members in basic terms hence no conflict between anyonein the residing house. this residing house has idk perhaps 20 mattress room it quite is 2 thoughts 6 vehicle storage 8 in case you count selection the part of the residing house. and so forth.. and plus we very own the residing house so realy i quite shop it interior the relatives then something particularly because of the fact it quite is on the city and uncomplicated accessibility everywhere. i'm interpreting culinary arts. im nonetheless attempting to in basic terms finally finally end up my pre reqs first nevertheless i could be finished with all my pre reqs this 365 days and a few of my culinary classes. yet my pre reqs are the single component i hate atm. culinary instructions are extra palms on then something and funner then basic old math and so forth.. I even have already finished my english classes and basically want Math, technology, and Speech. something are all culinary classes and recquire a uniform popular that's additionally the main important reason i decide directly to in basic terms take culinary classes all at one quite then getting into a uniform all day.

Answer 6

OH.. that is something that NO ONE HERE can tell you.. You have to know what you.... YOU want... what the school offers, finances, distances, etc.. In t he end.. it will have to be your and your family's decision

Answer 7

Go visit the school.

Answer 8

when you actually go to visit the school, it hits you. this is where i belong. that's how it was for me

Answer 9

Location is all!!!

Answer 10

you just pick by "eenie meanine miny mo"