5 Scenarios to Avoid When Choosing a College

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Another thing to avoid is only applying to schools with cheap tuition or schools that offered you a scholarship. Just because they offer you money doesn't mean you'll get the best education. And you need to really investigate all of your financial options before you throw away a school that has what you're looking for but is more expensive.

Gene of NY 6:52AM October 01, 2012

These are great points. For #1, I personally met someone in college, fell in love,and then broke up at the end. You change so much in college, that it is difficult to find "the one" at that point in your life.

In #2, it is better to go to college on your own. You will meet many more friends that way because you won't depend on your high school buddies to hang out and will reach out more to meet people.

As for #3, that point depends on what your interests are. I ended up going to the college that my parents went to and loved it! It made my decision easier by narrowing my choices. However, I think that was a lucky case. If you don't want to go to the same school as your parents, then this is a much more difficult decision.

A point missed in this article, I believe are the aesthetics of the school (how that shouldn't base your decision). I actually just read another good article that was similar to this topic that mentioned a few additional points. You can check it out here: http://clevergems.com/top-5-things-we-arent-always-told-when-choosing-a-college/

Niki of MD 7:11AM May 07, 2012

Also to consider in light of prestige: don't pick a school just because it has a low number in some magazine's phony-baloney College-rating guide. Ask yourself "Do any of the magazine's that put out these ratings fall on my own personal top 100 list of credible media outlets?"

Don't get swept up in the hysteria. You need to find a place that matches YOUR criteria.

Mark Lord of PA 4:38PM August 16, 2011

the "love" thing is so true ! my freshman year all these girls had photos from the prom with their boyfriend on their desk, every week more and more desks had no photo! by x mas break almost none of them still had them! leave your high school "love" behind and move on! while there is no guarantee that if you marry somebody you met at 28 or 29 will be the one, even trying to stick with your bf or gf from when you are 15 or 16 is a joke and doomed to failure! go off to college ready to learn and expierence life and all it's ups and downs! chalk up high school romance for what it is!

on a side note do not go off to college with your buddies either! it is time for you to strike out on your own and grow! sticking with your high school buddies will not allow you to grow and meet new people!besides there is a very high chance that you will no be buds after the first couple of months and or some will transfer! you can keep up your friendships with high school buddies if you try and re establish better ties once you graduate. college at 18-21 is a once in a lifetime expiernce go for it!

partunk zeborix of FL 4:33PM August 02, 2011

I am doing some research for my son for admission to university or Liberal art colleges. I find ranking for both of them what I find strange is that there is no ranking for major subject wise in either of the ranking. surely any University or Liberal art colleges are not good in all the subject.

So having ranking with subject can be very useful tool for any prospective student to choose University or college that he would like to attend. A student will know that the university or colleges that they choose is good in the subject that they want to study otherwise has to rely on the reputation of the institution and also from the information that they might get it from media or preconceived ideas about so and so university is best in this field or that which might not be true any more as things have tendencies to change.

Hope you accept my suggestion and make subject wise ranking available pretty soon.

Dipak Kantelal 2:48AM August 02, 2011

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The College Admissions Insider

Peter Van Buskirk is a nationally recognized author, speaker, and consultant who gives direction to college-bound students. A 25-year veteran of the college admissions process, Peter is former dean of admissions at Franklin & Marshall College where he also had responsibility for financial aid and intercollegiate athletics. He wrote Winning the College Admission Game, a bestseller in its genre, and The College Planning Workbook, a popular hands-on resource for students. Peter also created TheAdmissionGame.com that features his own College Planning Blog and Best College Fitâ„¢, a suite of online college planning resources. E-mail him at TheAdmissionsInsider@usnews.com.

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