luckylilly

It is funny to how there are so many opinions about what school to go to. For so many people that i know, the biggest attraction to a school is if it will give them any scholarship money to get in. What school they will be able to afford and that has a degree program that they are interested in.

The debate over whether or not an Ivy League education is more impressive than another type is pretty much a non-issue with those that would not even consider that choice simply due to cost.

And yes, it is true that there is money for those that do very well academically and that stand out enough to be noticed. There are those kids and then there are the rest of them. Those that get through HS OK and then simply go to school close to home.

So, that would be what is on my list of most important: close enough to home to be able to commute. Cost effective enough that it is affordable. Local CC with financial aid and then acceptance into the state school is fine if you are personable enough to be able to talk to the person that interviews you for the job that you want after graduating.

jayeslee

IMO academic strength in your intended major and the location is the two most important factors in choosing a college.

emberjed

I put "prestige," "academic strength in my intended major" (however, though I'll major in CS, tech schools are not really on my list), "far away enough from home," and "tuition." It's not really tuition that I'm concerned about, though; it's the generosity of a school's financial aid committee.

mamtakumari683

It's all about Prestige & academic ranking & reputation are important for me. After these choices I would like to select how close it is to my home.

subhashis

I think choosing a college is a risk factor for all the students.So it always depend upon the placement .In india good college is directly propotional to placement given by the college.
Here my point is to get good college you have score a good rank in entrance exam.Afterall i am sharing a site here to prepare online for the exam like IIT,AIEEE AND JEE. Entrance Exam India, IBPS, AIEEE, JEE (MAIN), JEE (ADVANCED), AIPMT, ACET, WBJEE, MHT CET, OJEE, KCET, EAMCET, XAT, MAT

So guyz all the best...

ValleyAccountant

Here is my take on this not just as a college graduate but as a financial adviser.

1. If your parents have 250k stashed away for you to go to college by all means disregard tuition and anything related to career prospects. If that is what makes you happy and your parents will subsidize your lifestyle because they are rich go right ahead. This represents a fraction of the population in the US.

2. If you are the typical middle class or lower class kid look heavily into your projected lifestyle desires during and after college. Choosing heavy debt and prestige at a nice private school rather than affordability at a state school may be a mistake. For example at the national office I work at I have a variety of different undergraduate and graduate alma maters. I went to community college then to a 4th tier university. I graduated with no debt. One of my cooworkers went to a more prestigious school and graduated with 70k in loan debt. The repayment is around 800 per month and it severely hinders his lifestyle and it will for a decade. With interest he will probably pay back around 120k.

My friend cannot just make the choice to go to grad school and take out loans if he wants a masters. HE simply could not afford another 40k worth of debt.

Please think about this! If you have to take on loans ask yourself this.

When I graduate with xxxx amount of debt and I make xxxx salary what sort of lifestyle will I be able to live?

CoStudent

how about adding availability of extracurricular activities?

Emir101

I honestly need a school that has a good academic reputation but yet still provides a vibe that I'm at home.

syed2011

Academic reputation is most important especially for graduation colleges because most of the recruiters choose only reputed colleges to hire students I mean for on-campus!!

Climate and culture are also important!!

engiprosp

I think academic strength in what you want to study is the most important, although more subjective things like whether or not you feel like you belong or "fit" at the school is really important as well.

juliiazoee

Reputation is one of the things that has to be there.... if Reputation is not there then you have wasted your time in college.

steelergolf11

Academic reputation is most important to me because the top schools have generally more opportunities for career advancement, recruitment, internships, etc.

Cens10

COA, fit, and prestige have to be the most important 3 to me, in that order. Location is a close 4th though. Why go to a school where you'll be so homesick and miserable all the time.

nerdygirl105

Pick a school you think will make you feel comfortable and flourish! They should also have a great program in whatever you want to go into.

pseudoquotient

prestige is important if you're not going to grad school :P otherwise, the prestige of your grad school is more important.