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Multiple factors will influence how a student decides where to attend for college or university. These factors can include the cost of attending, the student’s future career prospects, the institution’s reputation, the campus’ location, the quality of academics offered by the institution, and student life. Considering these factors will help you to narrow your list of institutions down and decide which institution to attend.

Cost of Attendance

Cost is a major aspect of decision making for future post-secondary students. Budgeting will help you understand your financial situation; tuition, living expenses, scholarships, etc. International students specifically must ensure that they are viewing international costs of studying as opposed to domestic fees, and weighing in other expenses that will occur. Students should be thinking about the below key questions:

What is the tuition fee for their desired program?
How much of the fees will your family pay for?
How much money can you get from scholarships?
What costs are involved in addition to tuition fees?
Does your program of choice offer a paid co-op or internship term? How much do you expect to earn in doing this?
Does your campus offer part-time jobs?

Students should remember that different institutions have different tuition fees and opportunities.

Future Career Prospects

Another major aspect of the decision is how attending your institution of choice will prepare you for your future. The way in which your degree will translate into a career is very important. Students should ask themselves if their university/college offers services to help them polish their interview skills and resumes. It is imperative that you conduct research to know whether your post-secondary school offers services that can help you prepare for the future. Students should also consider what types of graduate programs their school has and what their expectations are. In knowing these key pieces of information, your decision will be that much easier.

Reputation of College/University and Quality of Academics They Provide

A university or college’s reputation may be a key factor in some students’ decisions. Oftentimes, there is a hierarchy in which universities/colleges are considered for certain programs they offer. You should always choose the institution which offers the programs you are interested in. In addition to this, you will want to consider the variations your subject of interest has and decide which variation(s) you may want to pursue. Students should ask themselves the following questions:

What are your subjects of interest?
What programs relate to your interests?
What are the admission requirements for your program of interest?
Would you like to obtain work experience while completing your degree?
Does your program lead to postgraduate education such as a masters, law, or medicine degree?
Does your program allow you to conduct research while studying?
Are you able to study abroad?
What services at the institution will help you succeed?

Researching the reputation and academics of each institution will help you eliminate the choices that will not be a best fit for you.

Campus Life and Location

Be sure to explore the extracurricular opportunities present at the institution you choose to attend. Many future jobs will require you to have some type of experience in their respective field. Students can gain this experience by taking part in clubs and organisations offered by their college/university of choice. You should know which kinds of events your campus hosts, what clubs are available, fitness and volunteer opportunities, as well as places to make friends and relax. For many students, university/college is their first time away from home. Before making your decision, you should know what type of environment you would like to live in, whether you want to live at home, how far away from home you would like to be, and take the costs of living away from home into consideration. Where you choose to live in university is an important decision, while many students choose to live in residence, you can choose to live off-campus as well. Whichever option you choose, know what services are available in your residence and in your off-campus accommodation. Students should consider meal plans and groceries while making their decision. You should also ask yourself if the dining halls have flexible hours, how diverse the menu is, how well the dining hall accommodates dietary needs, and current student reviews. Thinking about these aspects will ensure that you make an informed decision.

Student Life

Student life is not restricted to the institution’s campus. Many students travel outside of their campus to eat, shop, and go out with their friends. This means knowing how to get around the town you choose to live in. Students should ask themselves the following questions:

Is the university or college well-connected to the city I live in?
Are shops and restaurants within walking distance of my university?
Is public transport easily accessible?
Do university fees include a transit pass?
How close is an airport to the campus?

Asking these questions will ensure that you are well prepared for university and the student life. Once these factors have been taken into consideration and applied to each situation, you will be that much closer to deciding which university or college to attend.