Thinking About College
It's that time of year. Not for starting college, but for high school juniors -- and sometimes seniors -- to start looking for colleges to attend. It's important for kids to find a college that offers them the right fit. It may be an Ivy League college or it may be the local community college or it could be something in between. Parents, and teens, shouldn't worry too much about not getting into the "right" college.
That is, if a teen doesn't make it into an Ivy League school, it doesn't meant that teen's chances for a successful future are lost. In fact, sometimes an Ivy League school might not be the best place for a particular student. Teens and their parents need to consider a number of factors, including the size of the campus, the programs offered, the kind of student support provided, the location of the campus, and even the "feel" of the campus.
Students should attend a college that offers the kind of major they are interested in pursuing. Some colleges are known for excellence in certain fields. Purdue University, for example, is known for its engineering program. Other schools specialize in performing arts and still others specialize in environmental studies. Of course, some students may not be sure of the field they want to pursue, so they might do better in a college with a good liberal arts program.
Whether a student knows what field he or she wants to pursue, it's a good idea to visit the college.
Sometimes it's just the "feel" of the college that seems right, the atmosphere. It may be impossible to visit all colleges, but the Web site Campus Tours provides links to virtual tours of many colleges in universities. If a school does not have a virtual tour, the site provides links to any webcams on campus. Links to the schools' Web sites are also provided, and the school's Web site, often offers virtual tours of their campus, or at least some departments offer tours that include videos of students discussing their experience on campus.
If your child is a junior or senior in high school and is still looking for the right school, take a look at that Web site!
That is, if a teen doesn't make it into an Ivy League school, it doesn't meant that teen's chances for a successful future are lost. In fact, sometimes an Ivy League school might not be the best place for a particular student. Teens and their parents need to consider a number of factors, including the size of the campus, the programs offered, the kind of student support provided, the location of the campus, and even the "feel" of the campus.
Students should attend a college that offers the kind of major they are interested in pursuing. Some colleges are known for excellence in certain fields. Purdue University, for example, is known for its engineering program. Other schools specialize in performing arts and still others specialize in environmental studies. Of course, some students may not be sure of the field they want to pursue, so they might do better in a college with a good liberal arts program.
Whether a student knows what field he or she wants to pursue, it's a good idea to visit the college.
Sometimes it's just the "feel" of the college that seems right, the atmosphere. It may be impossible to visit all colleges, but the Web site Campus Tours provides links to virtual tours of many colleges in universities. If a school does not have a virtual tour, the site provides links to any webcams on campus. Links to the schools' Web sites are also provided, and the school's Web site, often offers virtual tours of their campus, or at least some departments offer tours that include videos of students discussing their experience on campus.
If your child is a junior or senior in high school and is still looking for the right school, take a look at that Web site!
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