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Journey to the Right College

Guideposts for Success

By Raymond J. Huntington

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While not every student goes straight to college after high school graduation, those who do often face an overwhelming series of questions when choosing the institution that best meets their needs. Students who have already determined a general course of study are able to bring some focus to the field of choices, but virtually all students must still consider everything from geographical preferences to financial considerations to the rigor of academic requirements for the institutions they're considering. Here are some tips for guiding the way:

Location
When considering the location of a school, it's important to think about more than "How long will it take to get back home at Thanksgiving?" In fact one of the most important elements of the school's location is the natural ability of a student to feel comfortable in its environment.

Rural colleges often offer pastoral, picturesque campuses where the student body lives and works within a clustered setting. These environments can be especially appealing to students who tend to need plenty of quiet time for their studies and who are less dependent on part-time jobs or challenging internships to support themselves or gain career experience.

Urban schools that boast the "bright lights, big city!" quality can often enhance the learning experience by offering more connections to the professional and business community and more opportunities for diverse friendships and new life experiences.

In either case, the "How long will it take to get there?" question should still be considered. While college is certainly a time for students to spread their wings, a few weeks and months away from home can lead to some unexpected yearnings to occasionally circle back to the nest.

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