Questions to think about. |
Your answer goes in this column (For multiple choice questions, check the answer that best fits you.) |
What do you want to study? (Even if you are not sure,put down some possibilities. For help, see your counselor.) |
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How close to home do you want to be? In making the decision consider: Travel expenses, Special interests, Desire to “get away” for awhile. What kind of climate do I want? How often will I want to go home? |
___ In Springfield
___ In Vermont
___ In New England
___ In the Northeast
___ In another state or region: ___________________
___ In another country: _________________________
___ On another planet (OK, just kidding!) |
What campus setting do you like? |
___ Urban Advantage: Students have easy access to things that the city itself itself offers: museums, theaters, professional sports, concerts, etc.
___ Suburban Advantage: They are usually in less populated areas than urban campuses but they located near cities; students who have transportation into the city can take advantage of the cultural events in the city.
___ Small Town Advantage: Campuses in small towns can often be the major focus in town with many of the cultural and business activities in town revolving around the college and its students.
___ Rural Advantage: More opportunities are available for outdoor activities, as well as educational opportunities, because of nearby mountains and wilderness areas, etc. The "sense of community" may be increased because the college campus is the focus of social life instead of the surrounding towns. |
How big do you want the school to be?
The choice depends upon your personality and how you relate to other people.
Smaller colleges tend to encourage closer contact with fellow students and faculty, while larger ones provide a wider choice of facilities, activities, and people. |
___ UP TO 1,000 undergraduates (Small to medium size schools may have a greater "sense of community".)
___ 1,001 TO 2,500 undergraduates
___ 2,501 TO 5,000 undergraduates
___ 5,001 TO 10,000 undergraduates
___ MORE THAN 10,000 undergraduates (Large to very large schools may have a wide range of course offerings.) |
How competitive do you want the school to be?
Decide on the basis of your high school academic record and your performance on standardized tests:Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT I: Reasoning Test), or American College Test, ACT Assessment. |
___ Noncompetitive - virtually all students are accepted without regard to grades or standardized test scores.
___ Minimally difficult - . Up to 95% of applicants are accepted (not 100%). Most students ranked in the bottom half of their class.
___ Moderately difficult - About 85% or fewer of all applicants are accepted. Most students were in the top half of their class and had average SAT or ACT scores.
___ Very difficult - About 60% or fewer of all applicants are accepted. Over half of the students ranked in the top 10% of their class and had above average SAT or ACT scores.
___ Most difficult - About 30% or fewer of all applicants are accepted. Three quarters of the students were in the top 10% of their class and had above average test scores. |
What type of school do you want?
Each institution approaches educational goals in a different way and offers a different learning experience. You need to decide which one will help you to reach your goals. |
___ Four-year colleges and universities
___ Two year community, technical or junior colleges
___ Trade and technical schools
___ Technical institutes or colleges |
Is religious affiliation important?
Note: Even though a college may be affiliated with a religious organization, very few schools refuse applicants of different faiths and denominations, and most make allowances for differences in religious convictions. |
___ Yes
___ No |
What kind of study body do you want?
|
___ Coeducational
___ Only men
___ Only women
___ Primarily men
___ Primarily women |
What kind of housing do you want? |
___ School owned/operated housing is available
___ Coed housing is available
___ Women-only housing is available
___ Men-only housing is available |
Are student activities are important to you?
Think about the activities you enjoy doing and whether or not you want to continue to do them in college. Student activities can be an important part of life at college. The services offered by schools for students can also make a difference in your educational experience. |
Here are some examples:
___ Student-run campus newspaper ___ Drama/Theater group ___ Student-run radio station ___ Marching band ___ Choral groups ___ Legal services ___ Health clinic ___ Personal/psychological counseling ___ Women's center ___ National (Greek letter) sororities ___ National (Greek letter) fraternities ___ Local Sororities ___ Local Fraternities ___ 24 hour security patrols ___ Student security patrols ___ Late-night transportation service
___ Other: _________________________________ |
Is playing a sport important to you? |
___ Yes
___ No |
If you answered yes, what sport? |
____________________________________________ |
What can I afford?
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Decide on a price range with your parents. Total expenses can vary considerably. Don’t rule out a school completely because of cost...grants, scholarships, loans, and jobs can help pay bills. Apply to schools in different price ranges. Make the final decision about a school after you see the financial aid package that each school offers you. |