Choosing Your College

There are a lot of things to think about when choosing the college that is right you. Here are some of the things to think about when exploring your options:

What subject do I want to study (major in)?

  • What you choose as your major will help you decide where to attend college. If you decide on a technical career (some examples include mechanics, cosmetologists, medical assistants, or florists), you’d be looking at community or technical colleges. If you decide on a more traditional career (some examples include doctors, teachers, lawyers, or journalists) ,you’d want to attend a four-year college.

Where do I want to attend college?

  • An urban area or a small town? Close to home or farther away? In Minnesota or in another state?

How big or small do I want the college to be?

  • Some people like big colleges and go to ones with 40,000 students. Some prefer smaller colleges, where they are enrolled with 2,000 to 5,000 students. 

Do I want to go to a public or private college?

  • Tuition at private colleges is usually higher than public colleges, but private colleges also offer many scholarships to lower the costs of attending. Students from all different income levels can attend.

What kinds of support services do I want to use at college?

  • Colleges offer different services when it comes to counseling, job placement, tutoring services, and other areas. Think about what’s important to you and compare that with what colleges offer.

What extracurricular organizations or athletic programs do I want to participate in at college?

  • Colleges offer many opportunities to get involved. Your life outside of school is as important as your academic work, so think about the things you’d like to participate in when you get to college!

What types of students do I want to hang out with at college?

  • Some colleges are more diverse than others. If diversity is important to you, research that when you’re exploring colleges.

Once you narrow down your search, here are some other questions to ask:

  • Does it offer a program in the subject I want to study?
  • What is its financial aid availability and deadlines?
  • What is the reputation of the program I want to enroll in?
  • How new or high-tech are the program facilities and equipment?
  • What is the average class size?
  • What percent of students graduate from the program?

What Are Your Options?
If you’re ready to check out some colleges, visit these web sites on your home or school computer:

www.getreadyforcollege.org
www.iseek.org
www.mnprivatecolleges.org
www.mnscu.edu
www.umn.edu