Don't Choose the Wrong College; Ask these Five Questions Instead | College and University

By Dr.CasperPoodel
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Lots of families spend more time shopping for an automobile than selecting a college.

And, almost everyone knows what questions to ask when talking with an auto salesperson. That's not necessarily the case when people are investigating a college.

Sadly, some students, and even many parents are so intimidated by the college selection process that they are too shy or too embarassed to ask questions at all. This unfortunate tendency is seen most often in parents who have not attended college or helped an older child navigate through the college selection maze.

Your questions are unlikely to be stupid or inappropriate. And, it's no big deal if they are. What would be a big deal would be making an awful college choice because of your fear of temporary embarrassment. Then you would have good reason to feel stupid. So, try these five questions...you have my guarantee they're intelligent...and add some of your own.

1. What are the characteristics of the students for whom your college is a good choice?

2. Would you please describe the relationships between students and faculty? Between students?

3. How engaged are students in academics? In campus activities?

4. Do interested students have the opportunity to be involved in internships, cooperative education programs, overseas study, service to the community, and/or other special programs?

5. Do most of your students stay on campus on weekends?

After reading these five questions, I'll bet you've thought of several more, including those you consider more important than my five. Write them down now, while you're thinking of them, and add to them as you think of more things that will help you make your best college choice. In just a few more moments you'll have taken some important steps toward finding the best college for you.

If you come up with the right questions and are not afraid to ask them, making a good college choice is a breeze.

About the Author

Dr. Casper Poodel's higher education and online education websites were created to help students choose an online college and an online degree program to meet their individual educational and career needs.

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