Is your choice of university worrying you? Here's how to evaluate your priorities and opt for the one indicated.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: General Tips
Step 1. Find out about the universities you are interested in
You can do a search on the internet or on the guides provided by the faculties themselves. It also compares the national statistics on the level of unemployment of graduate students in these universities. Read several sources to make sure they are true.
Step 2. Don't consider just one or two schools:
know several, maybe not only in your area or in your country. It is important to have so many options to know what suits you best.
Step 3. Decide where you want to study:
remember that in this place you will have to live at least three years! Consequently, choose the ideal one for you, which can be a metropolis or a university town, close to your family or far away.
Step 4. Find out the infrastructures and resources available and decide if they are right for you:
international agreements, health service, canteen, accommodation, gyms, libraries, student discounts …
Step 5. Find out about the scholarships offered at the regional body that deals with the provision of financial subsidies to students and at the university itself
Step 6. Read the course plans and research the professors to learn more about their experience and method
In addition, you will understand better what you are studying. On the university's website you will find all this information, but if you live near it, you can also drop by.
Step 7. Get advice from people you trust:
friends, family, school or college counselors. Don't be persuaded simply by marketing, keep your eyes open to understand which opinions to trust.
Step 8. Be realistic
If your faculty is limited and you don't pass the test, don't worry. Despite the grades and your preparation, it is sometimes difficult to be successful, on the other hand you are at a different level than in high school. But that's not the end. You can always opt for another faculty and then transfer the following year.
Method 2 of 4: The Educational Purposes
Step 1. Decide what you want to study
Of course, it's not easy: in practice it's about choosing what to do with your life. You can always change your mind, but you should opt for a study program that interests you. You have the possibility to choose a specific faculty or a slightly more general one, and then specialize.
Step 2. Choosing your career, compare universities and try to choose one that is recognized in the sector
This will make you a better candidate for future jobs and ensure you have excellent training.
Step 3. Seek advice from the people who matter in your chosen industry
If you know what you want to do, contact the manager of the company you aspire to work for or, in any case, someone with a lot of experience in the field. This professional will recommend the best universities to you and give you general advice on how to prepare.
Step 4. The location of the university should not only be chosen based on what your friends will do, but also based on your profession
For example, opt for a faculty close to a company in which to do an internship that will allow you to access the job you want and that will allow you to gain experience in the real world.
- If you study Economics, for example, you will benefit from universities in large cities, where it is easier to access certain internships and environments.
- If you are studying medicine, you may want to stay near the larger hospitals (more than one if possible, to try out different specialties).
Method 3 of 4: The Future Perspectives
Step 1. Consider the reputation of the university
If you intend to enter a competitive field, you will need to attend a prestigious one. If your goals are less ambitious, you can opt for a more relaxed environment.
Step 2. Evaluate the costs
Make a budget and calculate the money you will get from your family, scholarships and loans and expenses.
Step 3. Calculate your potential future income and balance it with the cost of your studies
If you choose an expensive university and pay for it with loans, it may not be a good idea to become an artist, as your future income is likely to be minimal and sporadic.
Method 4 of 4: The Social Aspects
Step 1. Evaluate the size and type of the university
Do you want to attend a public or private one? A huge one or a more collected one? These factors will determine the environment and allow you to understand how helpful the teachers are.
Step 2. In some countries, such as the USA, some students also consider the fraternity and sisterhood system
Step 3. Better to choose a university attended by people like you to make sure you are happy with it
You will not want to enroll in a faculty where you will not feel included and welcome. On the other hand, it's not always a bad idea to get involved in a slightly different environment. University also serves to challenge your point of view and expand your understanding of the world, two difficult experiences to live if you surround yourself only with people willing to agree with you.
Step 4. Research campus clubs and activities to see if you will find people like you and if you can indulge in your hobbies, such as comics, dance, film, and sports
Step 5. If you are enrolling in a US college, consider the function of sport in the university:
it can play an important role in how you intend to finance your education. Look for the institutions that offer sports scholarships and find out what path to follow to enter them. However, if physical activity is a priority for you, consider the sports facilities offered to students.
