| There are many factors that will influence your choice of college or university. You
need to do your research carefully to choose the school that will best suit your needs and
talents. Weigh all of these factors and choose the institution with the best
balance. 1) Type -- Choose the type of institution best suited to your needs --
community college, liberal arts college, or university, for example. Universities can be
public or private, may be affiliated with a specific religion, or may admit only one sex.
You should understand the differences before deciding.
2) Size -- Size affects the atmosphere of the school. A large institution may offer a
greater variety of sub-fields within a given discipline, but at the same time, professors
may be too busy with their own research to help you. A small university or college may
offer smaller classes and more contact with professors, but the department in your field
of study may be too small. Check the size of the university and the size of the
academic department.
3) Student Body -- Consider factors such as male-female ratio, number of foreign
students, average age of students, number of full-time vs. part-time students.
4) Setting/Location -- Location may be important because of personal or family
concerns. You may prefer a city to a rural community, or the climate may influence your
choice.
5) Majors -- Some large schools offer just about every area of study. Smaller schools
are generally more limited. Find schools that offer a good selection of courses with a
variety of faculty who specialize in different aspects of your field of study. This is
especially important for graduate study. Although a university may offer a doctorate in
your field, it may not have a program in the branch of that field that interests you. Also
consider research facilities, computing centers, library holdings, and flexibility or
variations in the program that interests you.
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