Having finished your applications, waited several months and finally received your acceptance letters, how do you finally make that fateful decision of where to spend the next two, three or four years of your life? Here are some important factors to consider when deciding which college is best for you.
- Academics: If you know that you want to study history, look at the history department of different universities – the professors, the internship and study-abroad opportunities and the monthly newsletter, for example. While you should not choose a school solely based on your intended major – after all, this may change – it is important to be aware of the varying strengths of the departments at your chosen university.
- Size: Do you want to go to a small, liberal arts college where, by the end of your fourth year, you will know everyone personally? Or do you enjoy the anonymity of a large university where, walking across the campus, you may never encounter a familiar face?
- Campus life: Do you want to live in a big city, where you can go to museums, plays and participate in different cultural activities? On the contrary, do you want to go to school in a small town where campus life is central to the university experience?
- Best fit: Most importantly, when you visit the campus, do you see yourself there? Can you imagine walking down the corridors, studying in the library or sitting down with friends at the local coffee shop? Even if you get into one of the most prestigious schools, if you do not feel that you belong, it probably isn’t the best fit for you.
Katherine Chasmar is a third-year student at Queen's University. She spent a semester studying at Sciences-Po Paris.