Pursuing higher education can be expensive, and the costs are likely to increase by leaps and bounds in the years to come. But can you afford to lose out on your college experience? The answer is NO. So, you need to know where to invest your time and money. We have decided to take inspiration from the best and brightest scholars in India after asking how did they select the best college for graduation? Here are some pointers to help you out if you are wondering how to choose a college or university, so that you can find the best fit for your needs and budget.
Why is it essential to pick the right college?
The number of students passing the class 12 board exam are increasing every year, and they easily outnumber the availability of college seats in India. So, you might wonder how you can even get the chance to choose from colleges! But, still, you should use better judgement while applying to colleges, picking the right college or taking admission. Here are some reasons why:
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It is not easy to change college mid-year or a year later: The number of colleges is limited, and students are aplenty every year. So, if you wish to change college mid-year or a year after taking admission, it might not be an easy task. Fresh pass-out students will always enjoy preference in terms of admission criteria over old students.
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Choice of colleges has a significant impact on future professional life: You might not choose a career in the area of your graduation, but your college life may never stop impacting your career decisions and opportunities. We often build networks in college that continue for the rest of our lives, professional and personal.
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College life is essential for your personal development and growth: We spend the formative years of our youth in colleges, learn different subjects at great length and depth, and embrace new ideas and idols. They help to shape our character. They prepare and empower us to face challenges in the coming days.
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College education is the gateway to higher education if you are interested in academic careers: Higher education is no longer the privilege of a few in India as it has become a lot more accessible. Choices have increased and the options of financing college education have also improved lately. With worldwide technological advancements, building a career in any professional field often requires university degrees, diplomas and certifications. Besides, professional opportunities in the teaching and academic field are expanding fast. Picking the right school (read college) is essential for becoming an academician.
Scholars' perspective: How to select the best college for graduation
The best and brightest scholars have become what they are because of various reasons; their choice of college is one of them. What factors might have influenced their decision making? Let's have a look.
Choice of the academic stream
Some colleges are better in specific fields of studies due to specialised teaching staff, teaching infrastructure and other traditional reasons. If you have an inclination or passion for a specific subject, you should consider that while choosing colleges.
Accessibility to a college campus
A college is a place for formal education. However, you get to learn many life skills in college informally through interactions with professors, senior students, and faculty members. You need time for such rich interactions. So, you should not choose a college that is far away from your place. It will restrict your access to the campus and interesting interactions.
Quality of campus life
The difference between school and college education is the openness of campus. Colleges with school-like restrictions and discipline might not help you to grow personally and academically. Quality of campus depends on access to contrasting views, discussions, debates and constructive criticism.
Opportunities to pursue dreams and initiatives
College life offers a phase during which you get to spread your wings, aspire to do bigger things in life, and dream of achieving a greater purpose. Your choice of college should reflect that. It is the opening or break that you deserve in your life.
College reputation
It helps. If you plan to embrace the corporate life later, try choosing a college with strong industry connections and alumni presence in the corporate sector. Even if you are not asking for job references, you can always get invaluable industry insights through formal and informal interaction with college teachers and ex-students. Colleges with solid research faculty and opportunities to participate in live research projects will be an excellent choice if you are academics oriented. You will have a prior understanding of what to expect in an academic and research-oriented career. Most scholars consider it a significant factor behind picking the right college.
Scholarships and financing opportunities
The best and brightest scholars do not often come from wealthy backgrounds. So, they prefer to choose colleges offering scholarships, stipends and other options to finance the cost of a college education. Today, you can also supplement these options with education loans.
Resources for choosing a college
Where to find financial aid information?
The first step is to research the cost of attendance. You'll need to know the school's tuition fee, rooms, boarding and books. Once you have gathered this information, go ahead and use any number of free resources to determine how much financial aid the college offers. It will help you understand what costs are covered by grants or loans and accordingly plan your budget.
Where to find information about student success rates?
The college's website is the best place to find information about admissions rates, degree completion rates, and post-graduate success rates. You should also find this information by interacting with the student councils and college administration.
Where to research campus culture?
One way to do this is by looking at the social media pages of current students and alumni for any red flags. Did they post anything, complain about the college and campus, or share some bad experiences?
Another way to research campus culture is by reading education review websites, magazines and social media pages. They can give you a better idea of what life will be like as an undergraduate at the college, including academics, administration, facilities, food, clubs, activities and more.
Things not to forget
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Do not decide in haste
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Enjoying your college life is essential
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Take a long-term perspective while choosing your college
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Apply sound judgement while making financial decisions
Finally
Just like you, the best and brightest scholars have nurtured dreams and aspirations and battled with confusions too. So, you can take a leaf out of their book before picking a college that will give you the wings you need. Wondering how to start picking a college? Check out
RNB Global University’s website or
submit a query if you want to start from an institution that offers plenty of options and has world-class infrastructure.