First of all, congratulations on making it this far! If you are reading this article, you are probably at a time in your life where you are wondering how to decide which university is right for you.
Now that you’ve been accepted to different schools, it’s time to decide which offer you want to accept. Read on to discover five helpful tips to help you decide which college to go to…
1. Explore your options
Would you buy a house without viewing it first? Probably not. Therefore, the same logic should apply when choosing which university to attend.
You will be on campus for four years and it is important that you feel comfortable wherever you are. After a long day of classes, you want to be in an environment that uplifts you. When I have done campus tours, I have personally found that I feel more comfortable on smaller campuses.
Many campuses offer virtual tours, but by seeing the campuses in person, I was able to get a better idea of which university was right for me.
2. Find out what each university offers you besides academics
A diploma is a diploma. Of course, some comparable programs will have advantages over others, but for the most part, a bachelor’s degree has the same value no matter what university you get it from.
What changes is the experience that you have on campus, apart from academics. I suggest making a list of things you like to do and checking out the opportunities at each campus. This list could include different sports, extracurricular activities and social events. I also suggest looking into career development opportunities related to the program you want to take. For example, I’m currently halfway through my Bachelor of Business Administration at Laurier and something that made Laurier stand out for me is that they have the largest co-op business degree program in Canada.
3. Contact people studying at the universities you choose
This information will likely be more honest than anything you can find online. By getting first-hand opinions from real students about everything about the university (faculty, scholars, residence, social life, etc.), you will be able to understand what attending each university would really be like.
4. Discuss what your degree might look like with an academic advisor
The journey to get to your degree finish line may be different depending on the university you attend. For example, by speaking with an educational advisor, you can find out about the different minors available in each school.
When I was in grade 12, I met a Laurier faculty advisor and learned that I could do a minor in user experience design. Fast forward two years and I’m now pursuing a double minor in User Experience Design And Economy. My background might have been different had I gone to another school, and I’m glad I learned about my options before choosing.
In addition to the courses you take, you can also learn about co-op, internships, and research opportunities. If you are interested in travel, you can also discuss studying abroad. I plan to study in France in my fourth year and it was reassuring to learn that the tuition fees as a Laurier student are the same regardless of the country in which I study.
5. Make a budget
Although they say that human capital is priceless, it is not. Actually, Canada student loan debt averages $26,000. Before choosing a university, comparing prices can be a good way to narrow down your list. When developing your budget, a good starting point would be to include standard items such as tuition, textbooks, and fees.
It is also important to take into account the cost of living depending on the location, moving costs and scholarships you could win at different universities. Before you begin your scholarship journey, check out 5 tips that can help you win scholarships!
The biggest advice I can give you is to trust your instincts. When choosing between different universities, you usually choose between several interesting options. Press the “Accept” button with confidence and be thrilled to know that the next four years of your life will be among the best!
Sophie Divita
Sophia Divita has completed her second year of a Bachelor of Business Administration at Wilfrid Laurier University. She loves eating pasta, hiking and cuddling her dog Ginger. When not busy doing these things, she works as a Laurier Ambassador and spends much of her free time dancing.