| The United States National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that in 1970 there were 8,571 postsecondary schools (colleges, universities, technical schools, etc.) operating in America. Fast forward 27 years to 2007 and according to NCES the number of postsecondary schools had jumped to 18,248.
Even if recently graduated high school students and adults who wish to continue their education have narrowed down whether or not they want to attend school in or out of state, these prospective students must do their homework to ensure that they choose the best college to enroll at.
Postsecondary schools mail thousands of brochures and letters to graduating high school seniors each year. Let a technical or vocational school get a graduating student’s telephone number and that student’s home or cell telephone will most likely start to ring with requests to meet with an enrollment administrator at the postsecondary school.
This is not to mention the direct mail student’s might receive from the military’s college tuition assistance programs. Yet, with research and outreach efforts, prospective college students can and their parents can choose the best college to enroll at.
Start Gathering Data on Top Colleges and Universities
Students are encouraged to set up an appointment with their high school guidance counselor early in their junior year. Find out if the high school has a database that list :
Colleges and universities
Key contact persons at the schools
Required SAT/ACT scores
Cost of tuition
Accreditations that the school has,
Available scholarships and grants
Application fees
Student activities (i.e. science clubs, athletic programs, sororities, fraternities)
Some postsecondary schools require students to write and submit an essay prior to enrollment. Specialty technical and vocational schools might also require students to submit a portfolio of their work before they make a decision on whether or not to admit the student to their school. Research these admissions requirements so that one is prepared to send in these materials upon request.
Also gather data on the percentage of undergraduates at each college or university that gain quality employment within a few weeks of earning their undergraduate degree. Prospective postsecondary education students are also encouraged to find out if the college or university has a co-op program that allows them to work for quality employers during their junior and senior years in college.
Ranking Colleges and Universities
At the end of the data gathering process, rate each college or university. Use a spreadsheet or a plain piece of paper to do this. Rate colleges based on items such as:
Graduation rates
Percentages of helping students to gain quality employment
Student activities offered
Tuition assistance (i.e. scholarships, grants, low interest loans)
Lab and other fees
Professor to student ratios
Location
Etc.
Online student forums and discussion boards are good sources that prospective college students can refer to in order to gain candid firsthand thoughts about the school. Consider participating in a few discussions and ask direct questions about particular areas to get immediate feedback from students who are already attending the school.
Also, talk with adults who have attended the school to get their impressions of the college as well as to find out how attending the school has helped them to reach their goals. Reflect on these comments when ranking the best colleges and universities.
By starting to research colleges, universities and technical and vocational schools in their junior year of high school, prospective postsecondary education students can increase their chances of enrolling at the college or university that is best for them.
Students can work with their high school guidance counselor and access databases and college websites to gather information on schools they are interested in enrolling at. They can also solicit adults and current college students for information about particular postsecondary schools.
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