What Not to Consider When Choosing a College
Everyone. Welcome back. You know, picking the right college, can feel like walking through a minefield sometimes.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Especially, I think, for parents, you know, trying to help their kids through the whole process.
Speaker 1:Right. So many things to think about.
Speaker 2:Mhmm.
Speaker 1:Frankings and, brochures with those amazing dorms. Yeah. And then sometimes you even have legacy admissions.
Speaker 2:That's true.
Speaker 1:Today, we're diving deep into what not to worry about when choosing a college.
Speaker 2:Okay. Sounds good.
Speaker 1:We're basing this on a great blog called what not to consider When Choosing a College. It really gets into it.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I think a lot of times we focus on things that seem important on the surface but don't actually equal a happy of successful college experience for students.
Speaker 1:So what are some of the things that we might be putting too much weight on? I know I've probably done it.
Speaker 2:Well, the blog starts off by talking about location, you know, how it can actually backfire to be too focused on where school is.
Speaker 1:That's interesting because I feel like location is a big one. You know, kids are either dying to get away from home or they're scared to be too far away.
Speaker 2:And those feelings make sense. But the blog says that students who focus on academics and career goals are more likely to actually graduate on time. Makes you think,
Speaker 1:Yeah. For sure. If you're really into what you're studying, it probably doesn't matter as much where the college is.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's more about that internal drive.
Speaker 1:So substance over style.
Speaker 2:Pretty much. And this kinda goes along with the whole ranking obsession.
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah. The rankings. Everyone wants to be in the top 10, but this blog says rankings aren't everything.
Speaker 2:Right. They might look at things that don't really tell you about the quality of teaching or even if it's a good fit for a certain student.
Speaker 1:Like a book with an amazing cover. Right?
Speaker 2:Yeah. But
Speaker 1:then you open it up, and it's boring.
Speaker 2:Love that analogy. A high ranking doesn't mean a student is gonna do well there.
Speaker 1:Okay. So if we're not getting hung up on location and rankings, what should we be looking at? What really matters when it comes to having a great college experience?
Speaker 2:Well, the blog really focuses on fit, finding a school that matches the students' values and what they wanna do in life.
Speaker 1:Okay. Fit. What does that mean exactly when we're talking about college?
Speaker 2:It's a few things. Feeling like you belong, finding a place where you're excited about the academics, and knowing you've got resources to help you grow.
Speaker 1:So it's not just tea about academics. Right? Yes. It's the whole experience, the people, the culture, the support system.
Speaker 2:Totally. It's gotta be a place where a student can be themselves and really go after their passions.
Speaker 1:And everyone's different. What fit looks like for one person could be totally different for someone else.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. And that's where it can get tricky. You know, parents sometimes have their own ideas about what a good college is.
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah. There's definitely pressure to go to certain schools.
Speaker 2:And sometimes pushing a student towards something that's not a good fit can really backfire. They might not be happy or even drop out.
Speaker 1:So if we're not looking at location and rankings, what are some things we should be thinking about?
Speaker 2:The blog breaks it down into 3 main areas, academic programs, hands on learning, and having a good support network for after graduation. We're gonna go through each one of those.
Speaker 1:Makes sense. Let's start with academics. What should we be looking for there?
Speaker 2:Well, first of all, the student has to be interested in the programs. It sounds obvious. But
Speaker 1:I get it. Passion is important. But how do you know if a program is really a good match?
Speaker 2:Look beyond just the major itself. What specific classes do they have? How experienced are the professors? Are there research opportunities? Things like that.
Speaker 1:So you get to really dig deep, not just look at the surface stuff.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And this is where those college visits come in. Talking to professors, sitting in on a class or 2, it can tell you a lot.
Speaker 1:Like a test drive before you buy a car.
Speaker 2:Yes. You wanna know what you're getting into before you make a big commitment?
Speaker 1:Alright. So academics are important. What's next on the list?
Speaker 2:Hands on learning, and the blog really talks about how valuable internships can be. It actually says that grads who've had internships usually make more money right out of school.
Speaker 1:Wow. That's a good point. So it's not just what you learn in class, but, like, getting real world experience.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Making those connections while you're still in school can make a huge difference.
Speaker 1:So finding a college that has good connections with businesses and companies out there.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Think career services offices, alumni networks, maybe even some mentoring programs.
Speaker 1:Makes sense. So it's like a whole other side to college that you don't always think about.
Speaker 2:Right. And it's important. The blog even says that something like 80% of jobs are filled because of networking.
Speaker 1:Wow. 80%. Okay. So networking is key e y.
Speaker 2:For sure. And that's where you gotta do your homework, talk to students, reach reach out to people who've graduated, see what kind of support the college offers.
Speaker 1:It's like you're a detective. Gotta find those little hidden things that can really help you out.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Choosing a college that really invests in their students' careers, that can make a big difference.
Speaker 1:Alright. So we've talked about academics. Hands on learning was that third area.
Speaker 2:Finding a good support network. And this goes beyond just, you know, people in your field. It's about that sense of community, finding people you connect with, having resources to help you if you need them.
Speaker 1:So it's gotta be a place where you feel like you belong, where there's support for you as a whole person.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And, honestly, this can be just as important as academics. If a student's feeling isolated or overwhelmed, they're not gonna do their best work.
Speaker 1:It's like you can't help others if you're struggling yourself.
Speaker 2:Right. And, again, college visits can really help with this.
Speaker 1:You keep mentioning those visits. What should students be paying attention to when they're on campus?
Speaker 2:Watch how the students interact. Do they seem friendly? Do you see different groups of people mixing together? Does the campus feel welcoming?
Speaker 1:But you're just kinda reading the vibe of the place.
Speaker 2:Right. And trust your gut. If it doesn't feel right or something seems off, that's a red flag.
Speaker 1:And this is where talking to actual students can be so helpful.
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely. Ask them about their experience, what they like, what's tough. You'll get a much better sense of what it's really like.
Speaker 1:So it's like gathering clues from all these different sources. Right? Mhmm. The brochures, the website, site, the visit, talking to people.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Like putting a puzzle together, you need all the pieces to see the whole picture.
Speaker 1:This is all great information, but I bet some people are feeling kinda overwhelmed right now. There's a lot to think about.
Speaker 2:I know. And the blog suggests asking yourself some questions, and these are good ones for students and e parents.
Speaker 1:Oh, I like that. Okay. What are some of the questions?
Speaker 2:Things like, are there majors that really get you excited, and what kind of social stuff is important to you? Does this school offer that? And then, of course, have you actually been to the campus? Did it feel like a good fit?
Speaker 1:Those are good ones. Really getting down to what matters most to the student.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And it takes the pressure off trying to impress other people.
Speaker 1:I bet that feels really good for some students.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. It can really open up possibilities. They might end up finding schools they never thought of before.
Speaker 1:It's about exploring and finding what you love.
Speaker 2:That's what makes this whole process so exciting. It's a chance for students to figure out who they are and what they wanna do.
Speaker 1:And that's way more important than just a name on a diploma.
Speaker 2:Couldn't agree more.
Speaker 1:So we've talked about academics, social fit, careers, but we can't forget about money.
Speaker 2:Yeah. The financial side of college can be a little scary.
Speaker 1:It's like a big investment.
Speaker 2:And the blog talks about all those extra costs that people don't always think about, books, supplies, where you're gonna live, food.
Speaker 1:It gave some numbers too, and they were pretty surprising. Over $1200 a year just for books and supplies. And then housing could be 10,000 to $15,000 every year.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It adds up fast. That's why you gotta be honest about finances from the very beginning.
Speaker 1:For sure. But how do you even start talking about money? It can be a tough subject.
Speaker 2:Well, first, you gotta gather information, see what different colleges cost, look into financial aid and scholarships. The more you know, the better.
Speaker 1:It's a whole new world, though. Right? Yeah. All that abscess stuff and EFC I get lost.
Speaker 2:I hear you. It can be confusing. But the blog says reach out to the financial aid office. They can walk you through it.
Speaker 1:Okay. So get help from the experts. Makes sense. So we've got research, financial aid. Any other tips for making college more affordable?
Speaker 1:The blog says don't just look at
Speaker 2:the big name colleges. Think about smaller liberal arts schools, state schools, even community college. They can be a lot cheaper.
Speaker 1:Don't be afraid to think outside the box.
Speaker 2:Right. And remember, plenty of successful people didn't go to fancy Ivy League Schools. It's about finding the place where you'll do your best.
Speaker 1:It's a good reminder.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Yeah. A college education is important, but it shouldn't put you in debt forever. With a little planning and some research, you can make it work.
Speaker 1:It's like having a guide to help you figure it all out.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And don't be afraid to ask them questions. That's what they're there for.
Speaker 1:So we've covered research, looking into financial aid, talking to the experts, any other ways families can make college more affordable.
Speaker 2:Well, the blog makes a good point about considering all kinds of colleges, not just the famous ones.
Speaker 1:Okay. Yeah.
Speaker 2:Like smaller liberal arts colleges, state universities, even community colleges. You can get a great education without spending a ton of money.
Speaker 1:So you're saying don't just go for the big name.
Speaker 2:Right. And, you know, a lot of successful people didn't go to those big Ivy League schools. What really matters is finding the place where you can learn and grow no matter what the name on the diploma says.
Speaker 1:I think that's so important to hear, especially now.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It's easy to get caught up in the hype, but college shouldn't put you in a ton of debt. There are ways to make it work if you plan ahead and do your research.
Speaker 1:Okay. So let's go back to the beginning for a sec. We've talked about some common myths about choosing a college, like location, rankings, even legacy status. Those shouldn't be the deciding factors.
Speaker 2:Right. We've been encouraging everyone to focus on academic fit, finding those hands on learning experiences, and being part of a supportive community where you can really thrive.
Speaker 1:And, of course, we can't forget about the money. Talking about it early and planning ahead can make a huge difference.
Speaker 2:It's definitely a lot to think about, but hopefully, this deep dive has given you some clarity and maybe even some confidence as you're going through this process.
Speaker 1:This is such an exciting time. You know? Students get to discover what they're passionate about and start planning their futures.
Speaker 2:It really is. And you shouldn't let the pressure to go to a certain school get in the way of that. Find what feels right for you.
Speaker 1:Couldn't have said it better myself. It's not about impressing anyone else. It's about finding the place where you can be your best self. And remember, with a little effort, you can find a college that's both a great fit and affordable. Good luck on your journey, everyone.
