How to Choose the Right College for Your Children

My friend Katie has written this wonderful post about choosing the right college for your children - I hope that you find this useful!

If, as Horace Mann stated, a human being does not attain "his full heights until he is educated", then the quest to place high-school age students in a college that will meet their needs should begin as early as possible.  In practical terms, this usually means parents considering options at the sophomore and junior stage when their children's talents and inclinations are first being developed.  By the same token, students should begin planning early to maximize the range of opportunities available to them to move forward in their academic career.  Part of the secret to establishing the right path is to choose a college both the student and parents agree will offer the greatest benefit to the individual.  That being established, it is worth bearing in mind that a good education should be a holistic experience for the student.  College life and the opportunity to socialse and make friends can have equally beneficial effects on future fulfillment as academic achievement.

When choosing a college, the first consideration is the course of study the student wishes to pursue.  Aptitude tests, career counseling and an assessment of the teen’s interests, hobbies, passions and abilities can all come together to help determine the best course of study.  The course of study is the first filter in narrowing down the number of colleges for the family to consider and once the list is at a manageable level, the next step is to determine the suitability of the location and structure of each school.  Whether the student prefers a large school as far from home as possible, or a smaller, more local institution, location is an important element to consider.

Larger campuses in big cities may pose safety issues, and parents should consider the social atmosphere of the campus as well, to determine whether the school’s personality is a good fit for their child.  Social interaction is an important part of the college experience.  If the student is interested in sports, clubs or politics, finding a good fit may include searching for colleges with groups, clubs or teams.

Local accommodation is another aspect to consider when looking at schools.  If the campus is far from home, parents will want to check out hotels in the area.  Restaurants, entertainment venues and shopping may be considerations as well.  Students should also be looking at the local economy and scanning for job prospects in the area, as a little bit of extra cash can make all the difference between a comfortable existence and maintaining a constant vigil on expenditure.  Smaller college towns may have fewer jobs available, making competition for existing positions tough.  A larger city will offer more opportunities for students to work their way through school.

Miami, Florida is an ideal college town.  The variety of courses and programs available range from art, literature and music; to businesses, math and science.  Medical assistant programs in Miami, Florida are a particularly popular choice with students who want to learn more about the medical field before entering a more advanced degree program.  Colleges in Miami offer a wide range of campus styles, from Greek campuses to those with a small-town, community-college feel.  The choice to attend college in Miami allows students opportunities to engage in learning experiences that will enrich the rest of their lives.  Choosing the right school is an important step in a student’s journey of development, and with parental support and guidance, finding the right college can be a stepping-stone to a lifetime of success.