College Confidential - View Single Post - What is the most impt factor in selecting a college?

gadad · 04-02-2005, 02:40 PM

Here's the correct answer to your question. I know that it's correct based upon 40 years of published research on college student outcomes and my own 27 years of experience as a college student affairs professional. Go to a campus, get a sense of what the most "typical" students are like, and determine whether those students are making progress toward becoming the kind of person you hope to become. Good teaching is everywhere. A big-name school may get your foot in the door for job # 1 or 2; after that it's up to you. Everything listed above is significant and has merit. BUT, after all else is considered, your goals and aspirations (and your resulting level of attainment) will be influenced far more by your college peer reference group than by any other factor. Research data and anecdotal evidence on this is very consistent.

04-02-2005, 02:40 PM	#52
gadad Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 3,237	Here's the correct answer to your question. I know that it's correct based upon 40 years of published research on college student outcomes and my own 27 years of experience as a college student affairs professional. Go to a campus, get a sense of what the most "typical" students are like, and determine whether those students are making progress toward becoming the kind of person you hope to become. Good teaching is everywhere. A big-name school may get your foot in the door for job # 1 or 2; after that it's up to you. Everything listed above is significant and has merit. BUT, after all else is considered, your goals and aspirations (and your resulting level of attainment) will be influenced far more by your college peer reference group than by any other factor. Research data and anecdotal evidence on this is very consistent.
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