Choosing a College: Part One August 29, 2014

PC TECH staff member Tamila shares some tips on seeking advancement through higher education.  Here is the first of two parts:

We all know about the importance of education.  It is the key to success, self-confidence, money, and simply a better life.  In my family education has always been the number one priority.  So the question of attending or not attending a college was never raised after I graduated from high school. I completely agreed with that; however, my only wish was getting my higher education abroad. Thankfully, for my parents it wasn’t a problem at all.  One thing you have to know about studying in another country is that every country’s system of education differs from that of others, and you have to follow it if you want to succeed.  If you do so, you will not only have a great learning experience, but also can enjoy being around people from various cultures.  So based on my personal experience, I want to describe few simple rules that will help you to choose a place of higher education and to succeed if you decide to study at a college in the United States.

1. Choose your college carefully.  Choosing a college that you want to attend is never easy, unless you have dreamed about a particular one since you were ten years old.  The first factor you want to consider is if the college offers the major you want.  And if so, how good it is at this particular major?  For example, the University of Pennsylvania (“Penn”) is famous for its nursing and engineering programs, Rutgers University has a great business program, etc.  You can always visit specific websites that give you the relevant information.
2. Tuition. You should plan for the money you are able to spend on education. You also may want to compare tuition fees of several schools that you like and choose the one that suits you best.  Also, almost all colleges in the United States can offer help for the payment of tuition, such as grants, scholarships, and work-study programs.
3. Location. Do you want your school to be located in a big city, such as New York, or in the countryside where it is quieter?  Think about what you prefer more:  what do you want to see while getting your higher education?  Some colleges are located near cities, often have bigger campuses, and offer dorm living.  Some are located in a city, and you can choose to rent or share an apartment without worrying about everyday commuting, using convenient public transportation, such as trains, buses, and subways).

PC TECH: English Language School in New York City