I pick Stan…Harv…Berk… I don’t know.
This week, a friend of mine accepted an offer for a PhD program from a well-regarded public university in California. The school is known for excellence in his discipline, and he will undoubtedly thrive.
In the lead-up to the decision deadline, however, my friend was in agony. He was accepted at another prestigious school, and was torn by the decision. He even left the final decision to a Facebook vote by his friends: College A or B?
My friend called me up and asked for my advice. College A or B? We talked for about 15 minutes about the considerations for picking a “right” college. Here’s what we came up with:
1. What do you want to study? - This is a good one to begin with. What interests you? Will you have a chance to pursue those interests at this school? How big and well-regarded is the program? Is it well-supported? Are there any professors whose research interests interest you?
2. Where do you want to live? - Never underestimate how much location influences your happiness and productivity. Do you want a more rural or more urban environment? Can you deal with cold weather? Would you be able to continue doing your favorite activities if you lived in this area? Snowboarding in Florida and beach bonfires in Tennessee are difficult.
3. What do you want to do afterwards? – This one combines #1 and #2. How many people from this school go into the field you are interested in? Is there a strong and supportive alumni network? Can you see yourself working in this area after graduation? Your social network can be a real asset with things like finding a job. If you want to live and work in Indiana but went to school in New Mexico, how much will the alumni network be able to assist you in finding a job? Also, how important is prestige for your field? The notoriety of your school and the strength of its alumni network can make a big difference in helping you land a job in some fields (investment banking and management consulting, for example).
4. Is it worth it? – A college’s relative worth is not simply a product of its price tag. How valuable will a degree from this school be to you? Will you feel a return on your time and money investment, in terms of experience, happiness, quality of life, and future earnings? How generous is the financial aid package?
5. What else is important to you? – The range of intangibles is vast, and each person should consider what is essential to them: diversity and multiculturalism, prominence of sports teams, size of school, size of your department, prevailing political ideology on-campus, vivacity of religious life, level of school spirit, academic standards, typical weekend and weekday activities of students, and whether the school is residential or commuter.
6. How do you feel? - When you visit or think about the school, can you see yourself thriving there?
The Super Six Considerations for Picking the “Right” College? Maybe they are, maybe they aren’t. Either way, these six criteria are all important factors to consider when deciding on a college. Start with these and you may just make a pretty darn good choice when it comes to college.
Just don’t forget to poll your friends on Facebook, too.
Should there be a #7? What else should be considered when picking a school? Share your thoughts!
