6 Factors to Consider When Choosing a University

Choosing a university is one of the toughest decisions of academic life. It comes down to knowing yourself and what you value most. The university you attend will have a lasting impact on your personal and professional life. Therefore, a lot of factors need to be considered before sending in your application. This post highlights 6 factors to consider when choosing a university.

Students generally select a university based on emotion, peer pressure or hearsay. However, such an important decision should undergo a higher level of scrutiny. Truthfully, making this decision can be overwhelming. Just relax though and take it step by step.

Course of study

If this isn't the first thing to consider when choosing a university, then I don't know what is. You should know what you want to study before hand. This will help you choose a suitable university. Check to see if the list of universities on your shortlist offer the particular course you wish to study. However, you might change your mind later. So it's advisable to look for a university with a wide range of courses pertaining to your interests.

Accreditation

An accredited university is one that is recognised for maintaining standards that qualify its graduates for professional practice. Most universities provide this information on their websites. Accreditation ensures your degree will be recognised by employers and other institutions of higher education. So when choosing a university to attend, make sure it's accredited.

Location

The location of the university you wish to attend is another factor worth paying close attention to. If you prefer seeing familiar faces on campus, then you should probably choose a university close to your residence. If you prefer making totally new friends, a university located far away from home should be just fine for you. It all depends on what you want.

Cost

All universities require a substantial financial investment. However, private universities are more expensive than their public counterparts. Private universities though tend to offer more scholarships and in a way, that evens out the cost of its tuition fees. Note that tuition is about half of the overall cost of attending a university. Accommodation, transportation, feeding and other things contribute to the total expenses.

Safety

Usually, this factor is overlooked when choosing a university to attend. This shouldn't be so. In these times of rampant insecurity, you should consider how safe the environment of your university will be. In some university environments, the crime rate is high. You should avoid attending these kind of universities.

On-campus facilities

The fact that you're going to be spending a lot of time on campus brings to mind this factor. You'll want to be comfortable in your temporary home. It's only reasonable that you choose a university that has all the necessary facilities. As such you should consider a university with good residence halls, restaurants, recreational opportunities etc.

University may be the first time you live away from home. It's an experience you'll always refer to in life. So why not attend one you'll be proud to mention?