Selecting the Best University

Selecting universities takes time and dedication. There are many excellent colleges and universities, and many of them offer a wide range of courses. While it’s good to have so many academic choices, it can also make your decision more challenging.  There are so many variables that will shape your educational experience at any given institution, that it can make the selection process seem overwhelming.

Below is a tool that can help you to sort and select universities that may be a good fit for you. Use this sheet for each college/university of interest and compare their scores at the end.

By answering these questions for each college/university of interest, you will be able to compare them side by side and recognize which one is the right one for you. There may be questions that we have missed. Post on our Facebook or Forums questions that are important to you and we will add them to this list.

Even after you have answered all the questions above, understand that selecting universities is a complex, time-consuming, and tiring task. It is an intellectual decision but it is also a decision of the heart. The mistake that most students and families make is that they treat college selection as an intellectual decision. It is. But it is also a highly emotional decision. If you apply a set of criteria, you will arrive at a long list of universities, all of which meet your criteria. But some universities inherently will have greater appeal to you. It will feel right to you. And like all decisions of the heart, you may second guess yourself and worry about your decision. This is natural. Be confident that the dust will settle. The anxiety will go away.

Students often worry about, “Is this university good?” The word “good” is relative. It depends on a number of factors that are directly related to your educational and career goals. For example, it depends on your academic profile. If you can gain admission to a university where most students have a better higher academic profile than you do, it is a good university for you. If you gain admission to a university that has a strong program in your area of interest, even if the university is not famous, that is a good university for you. If a university has placement programs that are top-notch in your specific program area, that is a good university for you. If a university has internships as part of its curriculum, that is a good university. Unfortunately, many students think that a good university is one that they have heard about or that their friend is enrolled in. Your goal should be to find the educational “home” that is right for YOU.

Even after you have selected the right university, a certain level of anxiety and doubt is normal. “Did I select the right university?” “Is there a better university?” “What happens if I don’t like this university?” “What happens if I have made a wrong choice?” – such doubts are normal. Assure yourself that you have made the right decision. Be confident that you will be successful because success in your hands. And remember, that if you really, really don’t like the university, you can always transfer to another university. Although this decision should not be made lightly, just knowing that you have a choice can be soothing.