Planning to go to university in the Fall of next year? Then the current months (June-July) might be the last chance to do some serious thinking, research universities, and shortlist them, in case you haven’t already. In an earlier post, I had mentioned academic and personal factors affecting the choice of universities, as well as studying prospective universities. In this post, I’ll list most of those factors, and answer the first question that parents and students always ask me – “Where to begin?!”
Academic Factors
1. Program of study
2. Program ranking
3. University / School ranking
4. University size
5. Program / degree alternatives
6. Electives / concentrations / joint degree programs
7. Further study options
8. Job prospects
Personal Factors
1. Location of University
2. University size
3. Student composition
4. Costs and availability of funding
5. Competitiveness of admission
6. Student’s aptitude and strengths
7. Aptitude Test (SAT / GMAT / GRE) Scores
8. Any other personal reasons
The easy way to go about it would be to give each of these factors and sub-factors weightage – points between 1 and 5, with 5 being most important. For example, University ranking could have a weightage of 5 for someone who wants to go to the best university. For another student who has family in New York, location could have a weightage of 4 or 5. And for a third student who has decided to join his family business after graduation, further study options and job prospects could have the lowest weightage of 0. Once you have decided the weightage for each of the points, make a list of the universities that interest you, and start “weighing” them with all 16 points. Then, depending on how many you universities you wish to apply to, select that many top-weighted ones from your list, and your job’s done!
A simpler way to look at this process is whether each university that you have shortlisted is an (i) Academic fit, (ii) Financial fit and/or an (iii) Emotional fit for the student. Does it fulfill your Academic requirements such as program, degree, ranking, recognition, further study options and career opportunities? Is the tuition, room and board within your budget, and does it offer ample financial aid and grants opportunities? Emotionally, does it address your expectations of class size, faculty, location, weather, activities, clubs, sports, etc.?
Shortlisting and selecting universities is difficult, but it can also be a fun and inclusive process. Aiming for the highest ranked university, or choosing the one your parents went to or boy/girl/best friend is going to, or simply selecting one because it is closest (or farthest) from your parents’ house is not the ideal way to go about it. It is the beginning of an exciting journey that will probably shape the rest of your life, and hence, careful consideration after weighing all pros and cons is a must.
1. Program of study
2. Program ranking
3. University / School ranking
4. University size
5. Program / degree alternatives
6. Electives / concentrations / joint degree programs
7. Further study options
8. Job prospects
Personal Factors
1. Location of University
2. University size
3. Student composition
4. Costs and availability of funding
5. Competitiveness of admission
6. Student’s aptitude and strengths
7. Aptitude Test (SAT / GMAT / GRE) Scores
8. Any other personal reasons
The easy way to go about it would be to give each of these factors and sub-factors weightage – points between 1 and 5, with 5 being most important. For example, University ranking could have a weightage of 5 for someone who wants to go to the best university. For another student who has family in New York, location could have a weightage of 4 or 5. And for a third student who has decided to join his family business after graduation, further study options and job prospects could have the lowest weightage of 0. Once you have decided the weightage for each of the points, make a list of the universities that interest you, and start “weighing” them with all 16 points. Then, depending on how many you universities you wish to apply to, select that many top-weighted ones from your list, and your job’s done!
A simpler way to look at this process is whether each university that you have shortlisted is an (i) Academic fit, (ii) Financial fit and/or an (iii) Emotional fit for the student. Does it fulfill your Academic requirements such as program, degree, ranking, recognition, further study options and career opportunities? Is the tuition, room and board within your budget, and does it offer ample financial aid and grants opportunities? Emotionally, does it address your expectations of class size, faculty, location, weather, activities, clubs, sports, etc.?
Shortlisting and selecting universities is difficult, but it can also be a fun and inclusive process. Aiming for the highest ranked university, or choosing the one your parents went to or boy/girl/best friend is going to, or simply selecting one because it is closest (or farthest) from your parents’ house is not the ideal way to go about it. It is the beginning of an exciting journey that will probably shape the rest of your life, and hence, careful consideration after weighing all pros and cons is a must.