How to Pick the Right College in 2011
It’s perhaps the most important decision you’ll make in the entire college process: Deciding exactly where to apply.
Most people do it wrong.
Having a safety school, good bets, and a couple reaches is smart – nothing wrong with that step of the process.
But where are you putting your energy?
Are you worrying about spreading the field between a bunch of schools — setting yourself up for a scramble at the end, sorting through all the acceptance letters?
The truth is, that’s what most people do. But right now, there are more spots available than students applying. Outside of elite and reach schools, most students have a very good shot of getting into roughly 70% of today’s colleges and universities. And, if well chosen, getting into a ‘safety school’ should be a lock.
Rather than try the buckshot approach, you can easily afford to be more selective with your applications.
That means a few things…
How To Pick the Right College in 2011:
- Apply to schools especially good in your child’s interests. A so-so school might have an exceptional writing program, or a world-class pre-med track. If your son or daughter has a possible career in mind, let that be your primary guide.
- Pick places everyone wants to go. Your child may or may not want to be in the same city they grew up in – but how close is too close? How far too far? What’s winter going to be like? How often will you be able to visit? If you’re having trouble deciding between similar schools, even something as simple as a good Southwest route can make life much more pleasant (and affordable) over the next four years. (Picking a favorite region also can save money during college tours.)
- What’s the difference in price? Sure, most schools will be in the same ballpark – but aid packages and extras can differ widely. Your safety school, for instance, may have special scholarships to try and lure the best and brightest to their campus. Your reach school might charge full tuition for a year abroad – or you might just have to pay local prices (which are usually much lower). There may be scholarships for pursuing certain specialities.
That last one is very important. Often, a school without a rep in a particular field – if it’s trying to change that – will be pulling out all the stops. They’ll be paying high salaries to grab big names in the field… they’ll be pouring cash into new facilities… and they’ll have special scholarships to get the best students as well.
It’s a win-win situation in every way – great profs, great digs, and great price breaks. This is often the case in the sciences – especially newer sciences, like genetics or informatics – but you can find similar deals in the humanities (especially at schools with big science reps).
Aside from these special situations… every school has a different policy regarding financial aid. To pick one high profile example – Harvard charges a sliding tuition. If you get in to Harvard, you’re going – it’s just a matter of figuring out what your family can afford.
Some schools, on the other hand, are extremely picky. You basically need to be on welfare to qualify.
Most places are somewhere in between.
Now, rather than figuring all that out once you know where you’ve been accepted – you should make this a factor when deciding where to apply. You really only need five or six schools – more if you’re going for a bunch of reaches or Ivies – and, you’ll find, in each category, there will be a plethora of schools that are virtually indistinguishable.
Even after visiting campuses and sizing up profs… there will likely be dozens of schools that would make both you and your child happy.
That’s when you check out the financial packages available… your likelihood of getting those packages… and any special deals that are out there.
Don’t do it last – after the application has already been sent. Do it first, as you decide where to send those applications. That’s how you pick the ‘right’ college – and help keep it as affordable as possible.
For more insights into picking the right college or university, check out our free report, How To Pick A College Or University That Will Give You The Best Financial Aid Package — More FREE Money, Less Loans…
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Lots to think about after reading this, but great pointers.