Step One: Learn about Your Needs
The first step in selecting a college is to determine the type of school that will best meet your needs. Reflect on the questions below to get a better idea of who you are and your needs.
What are my interests?
- What are my favorite high schools courses?
- What are my favorite extracurricular activities?
- What are my favorite activities outside of school?
- Is there a hobby I enjoy?
- Have I held a job? What did I like and dislike about the job?
- What was the best part of my high school experience?
Use your interests to help determine a major or area of study. In addition, your interests can guide you to activities, clubs, and other groups you might want to join in college.
How independent am I?
- Am I a self-starter?
- Do I prefer structure and guidance from teachers and advisors?
- Do I like to figure things out on my own?
- Do I favor group projects or working on projects alone?
Students who are self-directed and are self-starters may like any college, large or small. Those who prefer more structure, guidance, and individual attention may prefer a smaller school. However, each school is different. Current students and alumni can provide you with information about the level of individual attention available at their college. Determine what you want and need to be successful.
What size of school do I want?
The size of the student body may affect the opportunities and experiences available to you. Consider the following:
- The range and number of academic majors offered.
- The possibilities for extracurricular activities.
- The number of faculty in the area of your major.
- The size of the classes, especially general requirement classes.
- The number of books and other resources in the library.
- The size of the community that hosts the college.
- The walking distance between buildings and classes.
- The ability to get into courses when I need or want to schedule them.
- How accessible faculty members are.
How far from home do I want to go?
- How independent am I from my parents, siblings, and hometown friends?
- Do I want to visit home frequently?
- Are there activities of interest to me on the weekend at the college and in the community?
- How would I get home?
- What is the cost of transportation to get home?
- How do I react to new situations and people?
What type of campus life do I want?
In college, academics are very important. However, it is also essential to balance academics, activities, and social life. Consider what you want your college life to be like outside the classroom.
- What extracurricular activities, athletics, and special interest groups do I want to join?
- What outlets for students in the community around the college might be of interest to me?
- Are there ethnic or religious groups I might want to join?
- Is campus housing required or guaranteed?
- What kind of dorm environment do I want? Quiet for studying? Coed?
- Am I interested in joining a sorority or fraternity?
- Do I plan to work while attending college?
- Are there opportunities to volunteer on campus?
- Are there activities in college that are similar to those I participated in during high school?
What are my career plans?
You will need to find a school that offers the right programs to meet your career goals.
- Have I picked a major?
- If I have not picked a major, will I want to receive guidance in planning my courses for the first year or two in college?
- Am I thinking of a specialized occupation, like engineering or nursing, that would require me to take the right courses?
- Am I thinking of a professional career, like law or medicine, that would require me to attend graduate school?
How much can I afford?
- Will I need financial assistance?
- Will I need to work?
- Do I qualify for assistance based on financial need?
- How much will college really cost: tuition, books, fees, housing, food, transportation, social life, activities, hidden fees, etc?
- Do I qualify for work study or other jobs on campus?
Step Two: Select a Major
What is a major? A major is part of the educational process that leads to a degree. A major is like a contract between you, the student, and the school you plan to attend. By declaring a major, you, the student agree to take certain classes and perform certain work in exchange for a college degree. Majors usually are focused on a subject (e.g. history; mathematics), a theme (e.g. women's studies; peace studies), or occupational field (e.g. nursing; diesel engine repair; engineering)
Although it is helpful, it is not required to have determined a major before starting college. If you are thinking about attending a college that offers bachelors degrees, you may not be asked to declare a major until the end of your sophomore year. First- and second-year students usually take general courses that are required for all students while deciding on a major.
Postsecondary schools that offer associate (two-year) degrees, diplomas, and certificates may ask that a major be declared when you apply or during the first semester. In this case, waiting to announce a major might lengthen the time required to complete the classes for a degree.
The best way to choose the right major is by making a well-informed decision. Follow a decision-making process that you have used many other times in your life. Making such an important decision yields the most meaningful results when you invest time, thought, and effort.
- Begin by examining your interests.
- What types of things excite you? What topics fascinate you? You will be studying a topic in detail for a long period of time. What are you curious to learn more about? Is there a subject matter in which you want to be an expert?
- What classes do you like the best? Why do you enjoy them? What do they involve? Would you want to continue you studies in those subjects?
- What extracurricular activities do you participate in? Do you have hobbies? What have you learned from these activities? Is there something there that you might want to focus your studies on?
- Do you have a part-time or summer job? What did you learn from those experiences that might influence your decision? Are there tools and equipment you would to learn more about using?
- Are there occupations or jobs in which you have an interest? What is the coolest job you can imagine? Where do you want to be working in ten years? Complete an occupational exploration. CIS for Internet is a great tool for you to complete interest inventories and assessments that relate your interests to occupations. In addition, it provides information about occupations and links them to majors or programs of study.
- Think about your skills and abilities.
- What skills do you have and where are your strengths and weaknesses? Are there abilities that you want to work on improving? Are there new skills you want to learn? Visualize working at your perfect job. What skills and abilities will be required? What do you want to be doing at work in five years? In ten years?
- What about your skills and abilities for being successful in the classroom? Do you prefer classes that teach through hands-on experience? Or do you prefer classes that provide information through extensive reading assignments and lecture? How do you best learn new concepts and skills? What is your learning style?
- Gather information and explore your options.
- Study majors or programs of study in CIS for Internet. If you have a college in mind, examine the available majors in the school's catalog. Read about the majors and mark the courses that most interest you and match your skills and abilities.
- Do a reality check and honestly evaluate your options. How many years do you really want to spend in college? Are you thinking about being a physician but have few skills in science? Does your family have a vision or plan for you? Can you afford to attend the college that offers one of the majors of interest you? How selective is entrance into this program? Can you meet the standards?
- Make your decision.
- Put together the information you have gathered.
- Consider what you have learned. Eliminate those majors that are no longer of interest to you. Focus on those majors remaining on your list. Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
- Remember that you can change your major. Many students change their majors at least once and some change several times. Once you begin taking courses in your major you might determine that this area of study is not for you.
- Another option is to declare a major in two different areas. Pursuing a double major is a way to get more out of college. However, it can increase your workload and takes a lot of effort and dedication.
- Remember your college major may or may not dictate the jobs you hold in the future. Some majors prepare you for work in specific occupations such as nursing, engineering, auto mechanics, and carpentry. Other majors prepare you for a range of occupations. The important thing is that you have completed a bachelor's degree program. Other majors may prepare you for your first job after graduation. However, as your career changes over your lifetime, your future jobs may not relate to your major but more to your work skills and abilities.
- Take Action—Declare a Major.
Be sure to check with the college(s) you are planning to attend to see what services are provided for undeclared majors. Will there be advisors available to assist you with choosing courses. Will you be able to talk with instructors in the areas of study that are of interest to you? Will you be able to visit classes on those areas?
Step Three: Gather Information
After you have established your interests and needs for college and focused on a major, the next step is to gather information about colleges.
Visit CIS for Internet
CIS for Internet is a computer program that is accessed by password. The program includes detailed information about two- and four-year colleges in the United States and all the postsecondary schools certified to operate in Nebraska . There are two ways you might approach the school information.
One option is to go to the Undergraduate School Sort, complete the selection of characteristics of a college that are important to you, and study the information about the colleges on your list. This option is most useful if you clearly understand your interests and needs and want to learn about the specific schools that meet those criteria.
The second option is to go directly to information about specific schools. If you have a specific college or colleges identified for further exploration, go directly to the school information. Examine the information to determine if the school(s) meet your needs and interests. Make notes and pinpoint where you want more information.
CIS for Internet also provides the opportunity for you to compare the information about schools in side-by-side printouts. Use the “Compare Schools” function that is available in the “ Nebraska Schools ” and “US Colleges & Universities” sections of the program.
Examine the College Websites
Most colleges have sites on the Internet that provide comprehensive information. Visit the websites of schools that you are considering and examine all areas of the website including the section for current students.
Many schools are limiting distribution of their catalogues; however, do get a copy if you can. Also, pick up brochures and other publications. Some colleges will provide brochures that focus on specific majors or subjects such as housing, the health center, or the library.
Attend College Night
Most colleges in Nebraska and some from the surrounding states participate in College Nights. Students and parents are invited to attend and visit with the school representatives. These events may be available only to the students from the host district or may be open to students from other districts in the area.
Some districts invite each college representative to visit the high school during the school day. Interested students and sometimes parent then make arrangements to meet with the representative to ask questions and pick up information.
Ask your school counselor about what is available in your region.
Visit College Exhibits at Conferences
Some colleges set up exhibits at state-wide conferences and meetings for students such as those for DECA or FBLA. Not all colleges participate. However, if a college you are interested in has an exhibit, it usually offers an opportunity for you to visit with the representative one-on-one.
Interview Current Students
Talk with students who are currently attending a college of interest to you. These individuals can give you helpful information about campus life and the academic environment. Alumni can provide insight into the value of their educational experiences in the “real world” of work and life.
Step Four: Prepare Ahead for a Campus Visit
- Plan to visit when the school is in session. You will be able to see the campus in its daily operation.
- Set up an appointment with an admissions counselor.
- Make arrangements to visit with a student who is currently attending the college.
- Read recruitment materials and guidebooks. Visit the college website.
- Make arrangements for other visits such as the financial aid office, advisors for a major you are interested in, coaches, activities directors, the housing office, etc.
- Develop a list of questions you want answered during the visit.
Step Five: Prepare Questions You Want Answered
Campus visits give you the opportunity to get answers to any questions you might have. It is also a chance to verify the information you have gathered from other sources. Prepare you list of questions ahead of time and take notes during the visit. When the visit is completed take time to note the answers to your questions. If you still have unanswered questions, contact the admissions counselor when you get home.
The following are some sample questions.
- What are the admission requirements?
- What are my chances for success? Are there services available such as tutoring?
- How much will it really cost? What are the hidden costs?
- What payment plans are available?
- What are the refund policies?
- Do I qualify for financial assistance? What types of assistance?
- What are the academic requirements and course offerings in my major?
- What is the placement record for students in my major?
- How is academic advising made available? Is it centralized in one office or provided in each academic area?
- What if I have not selected a major yet? Does the school offer support in selecting a major? Are there services for students with undeclared majors?
- What parking is available on campus? How do I get a permit to park and how much does it cost?
- Is public transportation available on campus and in the community?
- What if I get sick?
- How big are the required classes? The classes in my major?
- What extracurricular activities are available? How do I join? Will there be fees for participation?
- Are there computer labs for students? How many students per computer? What hours are the labs open?
- What athletic facilities are available to the general student population? What hours are the facilities open? Are there fees to use the facilities?
- Are there jobs for students on campus? How do I apply for those jobs?
- How do I find a job off campus?
- What is the safety record for the campus? How do I access that information?
- Are there learning communities? How do I find out more about them? How do I sign up?
- What are the options for housing? Do first-year students have to live on campus? How are roommates assigned?
- What if I have a disability? What services are available? Are all classrooms, housing, and other facilities for students accessible?
- Is there assistance with finding internships?
- Are undergraduate classes taught by graduate students?
- Generally, how available are professors for one-to-one meetings with students?
- What services are available to assist graduating students with finding jobs?
Step Six: Visit the Campus
- Take an official campus tour.
- Check out the classes in session. How many students in those classes? Is technology being used? Is that technology up-to-date?
- Visit the housing and dining options.
- Read the school newspaper.
- Meet with an admissions counselor.
- Tour the following facilities:
- Library,
- Student center,
- Health center,
- Placement and advising offices,
- Classrooms used for courses in your major,
- Community surrounding the campus, and
- Other facilities of interest to you such as athletic facilities.
- Ask questions.
- Take notes.
- Gather more information.
- If you have chosen a major, visit with an advisor or professor from that department.
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