Choosing a College or University

by Justin Diaz Journalist

Here is the often-overlooked secret to choosing a college or university: The name of the institution you go to is less important than the education you receive, both in and out of the classroom.

If you are in the beginning or middle stages of your college application process, the first thing you'll want to do is narrow it down to the type of institution you want to attend. Let's say you're still not entirely sure if college is going to be a good fit for you, or you have work or family commitments that prevent you from being a full-time student. Rather than taking out large loans to attend a private college or state university, you may want to start off at a two-year community college, where you can get your general education requirements taken care of and possibly transfer later to a four-year institution. An example of a community college is Kirkwood College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which has the lowest tuition in the state. When I was studying there, the only thing that saved me was working in

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At the opposite end of the spectrum is a private four-year liberal arts college, which has benefits of its own. At most four-year colleges, the majority of the students live on campus, so close-knit communities tend to form, and involvement in student activities is high. In the classroom, the number of course sections is typically small, and professors are often willing to meet outside of class with students who want personalized attention. Since liberal arts colleges receive much of their funding through alumni endowments and contributions, they typically do a great job keeping up with their alums, which means that you will be automatically plugged into a network for employment and other opportunities once you graduate. An example of a liberal arts college is Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, site of one of the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates. More recently, it has hosted Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and television comedian Stephen Colbert as speakers.

You may also want to look into a state university. These universities, funded primarily by state governments so that state residents can pay cheaper in-state tuition, offer connections to nationally renowned sports teams and prestigious graduate programs, and also have campus communities that you will remember long after you graduate. An example of a state university is the University of Minnesota, home of the Golden Gophers.

Finally, if you aren't looking for the total "college experience" but for a particular set of courses toward a degree, the easiest route might be an online school such as the University of Phoenix. These colleges allow you to tailor your education around a busy schedule.