FILTER ARTICLES
Mandee Heller Adler offers advice on how students can choose the right type of institution for them, taking into account costs, location and campus life
The envelopes are in.
If you have more than one thick envelope in your hand, you’re now in the driver’s seat. The colleges have taken their sweeeeet time choosing you, and now it’s your turn to choose them. They’ll give you the month of April to make your choice.
Far beyond the glossy paper of the brochures, here are some things you should consider:
Economics
It’s hard to deny that this may be a factor for many students. If you’ve been offered a generous financial aid package or a scholarship, it’s going to be hard to ignore this ‘bonus’. However, the price tag may turn out to be a burden too big to bear for many young grads. Be sure to consider your potential debt load and your ability to repay any loans you may take out.
Environment
Where do you feel like you will fit in best? Some students thrive at universities where the city itself plays an important role in one’s overall education. Cities included on this list include London and New York and, as you can imagine, the cultural and internship opportunities are enormous. However, city schools tend to be more impersonal and cities aren’t as conducive to a school community atmosphere. Residential campus schools tend to pride themselves more on providing everything you need right there on campus, from cultural activities to social life. They have more of a community atmosphere.
Home or abroad
There’s always the option of going far from home as part of the once in a lifetime college experience. Students who study in another country gain a whole new perspective on academics, immersion in different cultures and a diverse set of friends. However, as with any decision, there are pros and cons. Some students find the transition to be overwhelming. Not only do you need to adapt to a different educational programme and a different social environment, but you will need to adapt to a different country. Scholarships are harder to win and college costs may also be significantly higher, even if you receive a grant. Language barriers need to be taken into account as well.
Academics
Do you have an idea of what you want to do in the future? Then you need a school that offers a major or programme that will allow you to explore that option to its fullest. Also, be aware that there can be real differences in the course of study at various places. Some schools require students to take a core curriculum. The mandatory courses can take up to two years to complete. Open curriculum schools have no required courses. Instead they require that students take one of a list of first-year seminars. Guidelines and advisers at these schools help students with their course choices.
Culture
Michael Roth, president of Wesleyan College in Connecticut, presents this consideration excellently:
“The evolution of student culture over many years comes to define the way a place feels to the young men and women who spend these transitional years on campus. Students - not teachers and officials - make that culture. At Duke, for example, there are extraordinary programmes and deep research going on. But over several weeks of the spring semester (especially this year), it’s Blue Devil basketball frenzy that takes over campus culture. At Middlebury, there is currently an energetic student debate about the meal plan, which many students see as a defining element in their campus experience. At USC, the entertainment industry seeps into the fabric of the place, even when the subject areas are quite distant from Hollywood. At Wesleyan, the students have created vibrant music and film contexts that seem to fuel independent rock and hip-hop on the one hand, and popular film and TV on the other. Although most students here study neither music nor film, the energy of these areas percolates around campus.”
Only you will know what is truly important to you. What this college counsellor suggests is that you create a list of all the questions you want answered and then you visit the school. If you’ve already visited the schools, then visit your top two choices again. Take a good hard look at the school. Can you see yourself fitting into the culture? Do you feel comfortable? This is going to be your home away from home for the next four years.
Specific questions you may want to ask if you haven’t already: How hard is it to get into the classes you want? How small or big are the classes? Are there internships, and how does the school help students prepare for life after college, whether that means career placements or help with graduate and professional programmes? Does the school offer the athletic opportunities you want to participate in or cheer on? What will it mean to be an alumnus of the University of Manchester rather than the University of Miami? College counsellors can help guide you to the right decision but, ultimately, you should be looking for the campus energy that matches your own.
No doubt about it, choosing your college is a big decision. Congratulations from International College Counselors to all the students offered this decision to make.
Reach deep down inside and make the best decision for you!
Written by Mandee Heller Adler (2011)
Founder and Principal
International College Counselors, LLC
www.internationalcollegecounselors.com
About Mandee Heller Adler
Mandee Heller Adler is the Founder and Principal of International College Counselors, LLC. She graduated from University of Pennsylvania with Honors and two degrees - one from the Wharton School and one from the College of Arts and Sciences. She also received an MBA from Harvard Business School, where she was selected as a Class Day Speaker. Additionally, Mandee received a fellowship from Rotary International and studied at ICADE, a premier business school located in Madrid, Spain.
Mandee currently serves on the Executive Board of the Penn Fund of the University of Pennsylvania, and for thirteen years has worked as an alumni interviewer for the school. Additionally, she has spent six years as her Class Fund Chair for the Harvard Business School. Mandee has personally visited over 150 colleges and universities, and continues to do so. She is currently completing a book called From Public School to the Ivy League: How to get into a top school without top dollar resources.
She is a professional member of the IECA, the Independent Educational Consultants Association.
About International College Counselors
International College Counselors provides personalised college admission counseling to US and international high school students who want to attend competitive colleges in South Florida and the US.
