Does it really matter which college you choose?

Question

Lots of very successful dropouts out there...and people from mediocre colleges...

Since every college tries to be "accredited" (which mean they offer the same core courses) what difference does it really make?

Answer 1

You need to go to an accredited school if you want to further your education. If it isn't accredited, it essentially isn't up to par of the national standard and can't be counted towards anything else. Think about if this is the only schooling you will get - if you need to have accredited classes to get a job with your schooling, and if you want to further your education. My friend did a management security course for 2 years only to find out that it wasn't accredited therefore she could not be hired in most jobs.

Answer 2

"Accredited" doesn't mean that they offer the same core courses. It just means that they do what they say they are doing.

While it is true that you can come up with exceptional examples of successful dropouts and successful grads of mediocre colleges, the fact remains that the average college graduate makes far more money over a lifetime than does the average dropout, and that the average graduate of a quality school does better than the average graduate of a poor school. Since you can't guarantee being the exception, the averages matter.

Answer 3

It depends. Different colleges offer different programs. Bigger colleges tend to have more of a course selection. Colleges may also offer other electives depending on the program. Your professors and other students may also play a part in how well you do. It does help significantly to have the name of a well-known college/university on your resume. Although it is possible to be successful after attending any accredited college, having one of those universities on your resume while applying for a job that is limited to very few people will help. The opportunities may also be greater in different areas (for example, a person wanting to pursue acting could be near New York or LA). Do some research and find the program that best interests you- find what each possible college has to offer.

Answer 4

In terms of the education you'll get, probably not a lot. You'll pretty much study the same material with the same answers (even though a lot of them might be wrong, but I digress). I went to a state college and law school in a podunk state, but practice solo around people with Ivy league degrees and they're no better educated than I am.

However, as fine as that is for self employed types, there are a few differences between Harvard and Redneck Tech.

One is the people you're going to meet and potentially be friends with the rest of your life. Odds are that had Bill Clinton stayed in Arkansas for College, he wouldn't have met a few key people that got him through the right doors to get into the White House.

Another is the potential employers that recruit from the school. If you want to work in a Wall Street firm, or an international company, you might look into what schools they tend to hire from. If they were impressed by degrees from Podunk State University, they'd recruit there, but many don't.

Answer 5

Try to choose one that you are comfortable with and have it be somewhere where you will be the happiest attending. Go visit different colleges that you're considering. Also, have them be in your price range. For example, I was really considering TCU in Ft Worth, but when I went to go visit, I had this horrible feeling like "what am I doing here?" I didn't feel like I fit in and it was $30,000+ a year to atttend. I said NO WAY am I coming here. Also, just another tip, small private universities are a waste of time and money. first if all, no one quite a ways away has never heard of small places like that and won't consider hiring people where they have no idea where they graduated from and also they cost too much.

Answer 6

If you are the type of person who will just study what they are assigned and just do the work to get the degree, then it probably doesn't matter much which school you go to. If you want to actually get something out of your education, and not only have a degree but be able to use it successfully, it does matter which school you go to. All schools are not equal in opportunities for learning and gaining experience beyond just the lecture room.

Answer 7

Yes it does matter, specially when u can put down the name of the best college on ur resume. This helps u when u apply for a job, it gives u the fine edge over others. Though if ur a brilliant student and can score a fantastic grade on ur own then it does not matter

Answer 8

I'm currently looking at collages and the biggest thing i see is how you match with the collage, is the location right, are the people there like you?

now if your looking at community collages i don't think there are much difference but in the larger collages It is more the specilized classes that are different and the way they teach.

another major difference is how you are graded some collages grade you against a pre-determined grading scale while others grade you in relationship to your peers. that is how much higher is you grade than the avarage.

Answer 9

Not a lick. If your not comfortable in a larger one, then a smaller one is just as good. Also has less pressure. Choose based on how you feel, noy if its Ivy Leage.Id rather go to my hometown school and graduate then a Big 10 and fail.

Answer 10

well it what college u feel comfortable at how how u fit in with the people and activities they offer like sororities and sports and music and stuff like that or drama or art