Choosing A College

Going to college is a huge opportunity for young people to experiment with courses of study, look into possible careers, and solidify the values and beliefs that will shape their lives as adults. In private tutoring sessions, our tutors often discuss with their students what to look for in a college. Clearly, choosing where to spend those four years is an important decision that will shape the types of opportunities that will be available.

So, while picking the right climate, a beautiful campus, and a highly ranked school are all important, applicants should look deeper at some of the less publicized factors in order to round out their decision making process.

Look for Structured, Mentored Opportunities

Look for “structured, mentored opportunities to think about life after graduation,” writes Richard M. Freeland in a recent article. He claims that well funded and effective programs are less common than you might think, and that it would do applicants some good to ask around about participation levels of their internship programs, career centers, and philanthropic programs.

Look for Schools that Take Career Counseling Seriously

Many colleges have career centers that are lacking in funds, and therefore are understaffed and resources are out of date. Many colleges expect students to seek out the advising they need, which doesn’t always work for students—some need help getting started.

Stanford University, Tulane, and Notre Dame have developed fantastic programs that have given students opportunities to work in community settings before they graduate. Northeastern, Cincinnati, and Georgia Tech have solid internship programs for students. Clark University in Massachusetts has direct links between classroom curriculum and off-campus work opportunities. Of course, these are not the only campuses that value real life experience along with academics. At Sonoma State, my sister was involved in a semester long internship that linked to her course studies as well.

Real World Experience Pays Off

Looking for a school that takes the real world experience component seriously can pay huge dividends: students who were involved in such programs report that the experiences helped them understand their class material more thoroughly, and helped them define who they are, what they value, and where they are going with their lives.

For those reasons alone, it is worth asking some questions about internships and career placement services.

Source: “A Better Way to Choose a College,” Richard M. Freeland, www.csumonitor.com

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