Rob Haulton, Student Horizons Staff Writer
If you’re reading this, you’re probably trying to pick a college. I was in your shoes not that long ago. I’m 23, and I recently graduated from a mid-level state university with an Honors program. Now I make a living by researching the ins and outs of higher education. I’m writing this so that you can take advantage of what I know now—what I wish I’d known before I chose my college.
Many of the colleges that I now write about tried to recruit me while I was in high school. I turned them down because I really didn’t know what to look for when choosing a college. I assumed that I couldn’t afford a private college, that all degrees are pretty much equal, and that I’d have more opportunities at a big university. I now know I was wrong on all counts. If I had known then what I know now, I probably would have made some very different choices.
When I travel to the schools that I’m researching and talk to professors and students, I find that I’m envious of the education they are receiving. I realize that I’m not as prepared as many students for grad school, which I plan to begin next year. Don’t end up in my shoes. Here are some tips that I wish I’d had when I was looking at colleges.
Look at class size
Professors with large classes cannot give you as much feedback as an instructor with smaller classes. Maybe you’re thinking that’s not such a bad thing: “No criticism? Sign me up!” That’s just not how it works. Teachers will still count off for your mistakes, but lack of feedback means you’ll make the same errors on the next assignment.
Also, class discussions are less effective in large classes. This means you rarely hear other viewpoints and you don’t get to share your ideas with others. More discussion tends to make classes more interesting.
Look at faculty:student ratio
Smaller classes and a good faculty-student ratio have many practical merits. A professor with fewer students will have time to advise and guide you for grad school and career prep. There’s nothing worse than acing a class, then realizing the professor doesn’t know your name when you ask him for a letter of recommendation.
Based on my observations, colleges with average classes of 20-25 and student teacher ratios around 12:1 are good bets. You can feel a real difference at schools this size; it’s easy to see that faculty really enjoy spending time with their students. The students, in turn, tend to be happier, more rounded, and much more articulate.
Look at how much time professors spend actually teaching
If at all possible, find out about the average teaching load and professors’ research responsibilities. A good average is 6 or 7 classes a year (3-3 or 3-4), although this could be a little higher if classes are smaller and research responsibilities are moderate. A more balanced teaching-research load means the professors have more time for class preparation and feedback, which in turn equals a better education for you.
Look carefully at opportunities for involvement
You’ll probably have more extra-curricular opportunities at a smaller college. This may seem counter-intuitive, but it’s usually the case. At big universities, information is poorly distributed and you probably won’t know about many clubs and events. My school offered free martial arts lessons and had a great paintball club, but I didn’t learn about them until my senior year.
This isn’t the case at a small school. Opportunities will knock on your door; you won’t have to go hunting for them. Everyone you know will be involved with at least one club and they’ll be happy to fill you in. This is especially advantageous for most athletes. You can red-shirt for years at a Division I school, or you could be a sophomore starter in Division II or III athletics.
Get on campus for a visit
If at all possible, visit the schools that you’re considering. Nothing gives you a better feel for a school than actually visiting the campus. You might be spending the next four years of your life here; it’s worth a day’s hassle to check the place out. Take the tour, sit in on a class, and speak with the professors. If at all possible, strike up a conversation with a random passer-by and ask yourself, “is this someone I’d like to talk to at 2 a.m.?” Believe me, this can spell the difference between four amazing years and a transfer after one semester.
Explore all your financial options
Finally, don’t worry too much about the price tag. Many smaller schools cost much more than your average state university, and many students think that all degrees are equal. They’re not. A college education is an investment. You wouldn’t buy a car just because it’s the cheapest on the lot; it’s no way to choose a university, either.
That said, you might think that you just can’t afford the college of your choice. This is almost certainly not true. Many smaller colleges will get to know you personally, and work with your situation to help you finance your education. They will do their best to put together a package of scholarships, grants, loans and work-study that will meet your needs. This is very different from many large state schools, where everything is based on impersonal forms. If you are interested in a school, talk to them frankly about finances. You may be surprised at how affordable it can be...and the investment will be well worth it.
