Posts Tagged of education
4 Indisputable Truths to Help You Choose a College
I always remember thinking, what’s the big deal, it is only college? These days, it is a big deal, and higher education is a competitive market for your attention. Just remember it is easier to pick a college than the high school advisors, college guides and your parents make it out to be. Relax, take a deep breath and keep in mind these four indisputable truths about choosing a college.
1. A Little Information Goes a Little Way
I was not well prepared for selecting a college. My parents did not properly instill in me the need for selectivity and criteria, though they might be surprised to hear that now. All of my peers had dreams of a particular school, or a particular academic reputation, or they aimed for a certain city. I had distances.
The minimum distance was 500 miles from my mother and 500 miles from my father. In order to meet these criteria, the school needed to be somewhere in Nevada, or somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. For the record, the vector did eventually land me at University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
But looking back now, I realize that I did very little in the way of research then. I did not know the right questions to ask, much less whom to ask them to. You already have the resources, but you have to do the legwork. Parents are a good start. Assess their expectations, particularly how much they expect to pay. Then set that information aside and start researching specific schools. You should use your guidance counselor as a resource, but do not forget the internet. And pay the campus a visit during the school year.
The only time it does not pay to do the research is when you already know exactly where you want to go, whether it is your only choice, or your parent’s alma mater, or you are going locally. If you do not know, it is always a good idea to arm yourself with as much information as you can. Otherwise you might end up at a university in the Pacific Ocean.
2. Rankings Are Relative
Any college guide would have you believe that their publication, and only theirs, really has the definitive information on a wide swath of criteria to pick a college. Do not believe it. There are two things at stake here to keep in mind. Every college guide has a bias. And college rankings are dependent on that bias.
Take the Harvard University of college guides, U.S. News and World Report as an example. What’s the bias? U.S. News wants to be an elite college guide, the cream of the crop. That means their ranking formula has to be the most complicated, has to utilize the most criteria and they have to devote a whole lot of space to the country’s elite universities. Which is great if you plan on choosing a school based on reputation. But there are other factors to consider.
It is appropriate, a great idea even, to pick up a college guide and review the entry on some of your school choices. Better yet, do it online. Most guides have an online component, and so what if you have to register to view it. You are going to spread your name around liberally during the application process anyway.
3. It is not the size of the school but the number of kids that live there that counts
Let me tell you a little trick when you examine your school’s size. Look strictly at its percentage of students that live on campus. Particularly when you are starting out as a first-year student, you spend a whole lot of time on campus, and most schools require you to live there at least through your first year. The number of students that live on campus has a lot to do with the kind of experience you will have.
I went to UNLV which only had an on-campus population of a little over 1,000 students. That is a relatively small population of students to live among. I looked at the overall campus population, over 20,000 students, and assumed I would be interacting with a diverse group. But the truth was, my social and educational circles were usually limited to the 1,000. Whichever population size you prefer, just remember that commuters are usually significantly less engaged in campus activities; clubs, intramural sports, and social nights.
4. Cost is a hill, not a mountain
If you want to go to college, prepare to take out loans to pay for it. If your parents can afford it and are willing to pay, you are lucky. For everyone else, once you know the school you want to go to, just go. The cost of education is exorbitant and steadily rising. There is no way around it.
Parents look at debt warily, and their opinion is to be respected. But when it comes to picking a college, cost should not be the determining factor. Think of your education loans as an investment in your future. Whatever you invest now compounds in your skill set, your experience and the assets that you develop for furthering your future earning potential.
Picking a college is a process, but it should not be an overwhelming one. Make a list of criteria that are important to you and take that with you on your search. It is indisputably a big deal to choose a college for yourself, but the process has never been easier. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise.
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Graduate Schools
If you have obtained a Bachelor’s Degree, but would like to continue your education, you will want to apply to a Graduate School. Graduate degrees in the U.S. come in two forms: Master (MA or MS) and Doctorate (PhD). Both options require students to perform research and concentrate their studies on a particular subject of choice. Graduate Schools expect students to be well-prepared in their field and be able to direct their own courses of study to some measure, with the advice and input from faculty.
Students most often choose to attend Graduate School in the traditional manner on a campus, where learning experiences are shared with colleagues and faculty. This gives the student a fuller experience in their formal education. Online Graduate Schools, however, are becoming a strong force in the academic world. Online educational experiences compare favorably with campus-based schools, with the option to communicate with classmates and faculty through online classroom discussion and email.
Most colleges and universities offer a full range of disciplines in their Graduate School programs. Business schools are among the most popular of Graduate Schools. Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Doctorate (PhD) degree students can choose to focus on specializations in business, such as management, accounting, marketing, technology, communications, risk management, etc.
The field of Education is another of the major subjects offered at most Graduate Schools. Here, too, are many options. Students of Education can concentrate on specific subjects (i.e., literacy, reading, mathematics, sciences, etc.). They may take teacher training at various levels (early childhood, elementary, middle school, high school, college), as well as education administration, education leadership, library resources, and assessment of curriculum and instruction.
Psychology, behavioral sciences, and counseling are much sought after degrees offered by Graduate Schools. Technology, engineering, health, liberal arts, nursing, religion, and sciences also top the list of commonly chosen degrees.
Making the decision to attend Graduate School and continue your education takes some planning and preparation. There is much research to be done. Choosing among colleges, admissions tests, and expenses are all factors to be explored by the potential student. Undergraduate and graduate school offices can be a great help with decisions about degrees and courses. Counselors can guide your search and help you with planning, choosing from degree options, finding funds, and preparing for admissions tests. Many Graduate Schools offer preparation and practice tests for GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, and other admissions examinations. Additionally, a great deal of information about Graduate Schools can be found on the Internet.
Tuition costs are a huge factor that can affect your decision to continue in or go back to school. Finding money for graduate school is more difficult than finding money for college, but there is money out there. Funding in the form of scholarships, grants, state and federal aid and loans, and low-interest loans can be found fairly easily. Schools, the Internet, and local banks can be helpful with finding information about educational finances. Some companies offer education options for their employees, which should be investigated.
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Choosing a Degree Program
When you are making an important decision of selecting the right degree program, it is primarily important to consider the goal of that degree. In the past, students opted for subjects and fields that interested them. There were and still are, certain careers that demand only a specific level of competency and knowledge by virtue of a degree, thus, allowing students to investigate degree programs that they find academically interesting and challenging and not necessarily with a specific career in mind. But, with the increasingly saturated job markets and the current economic crisis, a high premium is placed on expertise through the right degree program and training. The job market is getting more and more competitive and specialized fields typically require an equally specialized degree in order to be successful.
Once you have decided on a career, the next question to tackle is then which degree to opt for. There a number of key factors to consider while doing so. Firstly, you will have to decide whether it is necessary and more practical to pursue a Certificate, Associate, or Bachelor education, or if a Master and Doctorate degree is what will make the difference to your future job prospects. Keep in mind your time commitments, monetary constraints as well as your practical academic goals when making your final choice and ask yourself the following questions:
What are you interested in? – You have to be interested in the subject/major of your degree program. Remember this is a commitment of a number of years (depending on which degree you choose) and it will cost you a lot of time and money. If you still are unsure about what major to choose, look at the college’s websites, college prospectuses or research on the internet about the courses you might be interested in taking. Many of the sites provide supplementary reading lists so you can research the subject in-detail and see if it actually interests you.
What job are you planning for? – Always think a few steps ahead when planning your education. Look at what requirements are demanded from your career path. To do this, you could turn to websites from schools, universities, and job portals that outline detailed requirements about what employers are looking for. Find out what other students have accomplished with their degrees after they have graduated. With respect to degrees in the arts, humanities and social sciences, the employment opportunities are a lot more flexible than degrees in science.
What colleges have you shortlisted? – If you have a clear idea of where you want to study, investigate the school more carefully. Check league tables and quality assurance and understand that both the institution as well as the quality of an individual department is important. Attend open days and speak to students and parents, if possible. Programs in the same subject may also vary between colleges, so always ask around.
What program would suit your personality? – You must be aware of your strengths, weaknesses, interests and capabilities to correctly decide on a degree and career for you. Are you practical and meticulous enough for a hard core science-based program or do you lean more towards the arts and creativity? Ask your friends and family for their opinions as well and once a clear profile emerges, match this with your short list of education options to ensure future success.
What degrees are in demand? – If you are still uncertain about your choice or have varied interests, you need to find out which degrees are in demand. The higher the demands for a specific degree, the greater are the pay scales and opportunity for advancement. Choosing such a degree will make your job search easier and more lucrative in the long run.
Which degree has accelerated options? – Accelerated degree programs might seem an unusual idea at first but there are some degrees which may take twice as long to complete compared to other programs. For example, biology versus communications. The longer the program is means more time and money and in such cases, an accelerated option might make sense.
Remember, it’s extremely important to take some time before deciding which college degree program to choose. So, go ahead – plan, research and finally, trust your instincts.
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