The Literary Tutor

As we come to the end of the semester, many high school students have already applied or are in the process of attending virtual events and tours with prospective colleges or universities of their choice. With the application deadline in January, it’s important to think about your choices and weigh your options, and think about what you want, your strengths, and your interests.

Let’s look at some of those factors below to help ease your decision-making:

1. Type of School

This is by far the most important factor in choosing a school. If you want to be an engineer, choosing a school dedicated to liberal arts and the like will not be beneficial. My recommendation would be to speak to your guidance counselor about your interests and the field you would like to pursue a career in. They’ll be able to help you narrow down a few school choices pertaining to your field of study. These schools will most likely have some programs of tremendous interest to you. Also, explore some of the top colleges and universities online. An example of this is via QS World University Rankings 2021 via the Top Universities website (link in ‘References’ list below). This list is configurable with the year and location. 

2. Cost of Tuition

Believe it or not, the cost of higher education can be the reason why a student picks one school over the other. Make sure to research how much tuition and fees cost at the top schools of your choice. However, do not push away the thought of your dream school just because tuition fees may be high. You have many options such as scholarships at these schools, grants, or OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program). OSAP is “a financial aid program that can help you pay for college or university” (OSAP, 2020).

3. Location

This is probably the most, or one of the most important, factors to consider. For some, staying close to home allows them to be near their family and/or save money. Others may want to move away to have the whole college or university experience. Whichever you decide, the location of your school is important as you will be there for the majority of your day. Factor in the commute of taking public transportation or driving as these can all add up to your expenses.

4. On-Campus Living

College or university life starts where you live. You’ll be spending most of your time living there (if you choose to move to a school further from home). Life begins in dorm rooms, so you’ll want to make sure you’re comfortable away from home. In order to achieve this, check out the residence halls, ask questions, and observe the following:

1. Who is eligible for housing?
2. What types of rooms are available (singles, doubles), 
3. Are there communities for students with like-minded interests?
4. Do the colleges/universities offer on-campus services such as pharmacies, medical care, counseling centre, etc.? 
5. Do the colleges/universities have a recreation centre, fitness classes, pool, or other amenities? 

5. Student Activities

For many students, they love to stay active and engaged through extracurricular activities while maintaining an education. Check out if any of the student organizations they have on campus align with your interests. This will help you make friends and provide you with an outlet during stressful times. Look at student testimonial videos on the school website to gauge their thoughts on their college or university experiences.

In closing, these are some of the factors that will help you narrow your search for your dream school for your undergraduate studies. Remember to have fun and document your research in each program and school to help you make the best decision. After all, your college or university experience will be enriched by the friends you make, the communities you’re a part of, and the program you partake in towards a rewarding career. 

REFERENCES

Ministry of Colleges and Universities. (November 20^th, 2020). Learn about OSAP. Retrieved on November 22^nd, 2020 via https://www.ontario.ca/page/learn-about-osap 
QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited. (2020). Qs. World University Rankings. Who Rules? Retrieved on November 23^rd, 2020 via https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2021