Choosing The Right University
Collaborative post. Starting at university is one of the most exciting times in your life. You need to think carefully about what you want to study and whether you want to or can stay at home or live in the halls of residence. Choosing the right university for you is a big decision to make and one you should put plenty of thought into. This post will help guide you in the areas that you’ll need to consider.
Starting Out, Where to Look for Universities
At this stage, you’ll already know which subject you are looking to study so the next stage is deciding where to study it. You’ll find a uni course finder a great way to help you discover which universities offer the course that you’d like to do. There are things to consider including whether you want to stay close to home or go somewhere further afield. Depending on the location of the courses you want to study, you may not have much of a choice with this.
Choosing a Good University
You’ll want to check the rankings of the universities you are considering as these can vary. Obviously, the higher the better but your expected grades and the ones you get will obviously affect the outcome here. Be realistic when you apply. Some universities have great placement and work experience opportunities. These will vary between different universities and are something to consider selecting where you’d like to go. It can also help to look at the support available. You’ll be able to find out about the support network available via the universities website.
Go to Open Days
Make use of open days. Not only can they be fun and a great way to get your bearings you’ll see where lectures will be held and the facilities that are available to attending students. You’ll also get to see where the transport links are and how close the halls of residence are located. You might want to check out other accommodation options whilst there too. By visiting the site you can also find out about the culture there and about nightlife if that’s something that might be of interest. Going to university isn’t just about studying it’s also a great time to enhance your social skills.
Comparing Entry Requirements
Your grades will influence what happens ultimately but when applying for a place at university you’ll still be awaiting these. Look at your expected grades when making your selection. You’ll need to make sure that you apply to a university that has requirements for similar grades. Don’t forget, if you get grades that are either higher or lower than these when you get your results it is still possible to change your options through clearing.
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Where Can You Afford to Live?
If the plan is to escape the parents and move out you’ll be looking at a university that is far enough to allow you to do so. But, It’s important to make sure that you can afford to do this. You’ll need to find out the cost of staying in halls of residence and other student accommodation near the university you intend to go to. Compare prices and see what works best for your situation. The cost of tuition alone is approx £9250GBP in the UK. Then you’ll need to factor in accommodation, food, travel, socialising etc.
The Social Aspect
You should also think about the social aspect of your potential university city. If you are a party animal who enjoys drinking and socializing, you should look for a city that reflects this and allows you to enjoy these hobbies. However, if you prefer a more chilled vibe then it may be worth looking at a university in a smaller city or somewhere more in the countryside. No matter what you prefer, there is a university city out there waiting for you.
You may also need to get a part-time job. This will not only help you keep student loans lower it can also come with a social side of its own.
Your Decision
There are lots of different choices out there when it comes to universities. Therefore, it is important that you do your research before committing to one. You need to think carefully about what is best for you and your circumstances when deciding. Going to university can be an amazing experience and one that will help you grow as a person.
Do you have any tips that might be helpful for other readers for choosing the right university?
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I think going to open days are absolutely key when choosing a university. Your child really needs to get a feel for a place before they move off and dive headfirst into adulting.
My son is finishing up community college but next year he wants to do a 4 year university. He’s been doing a ton of research. You have some great advice here.
I have 2 in high school. Soon it will be time to shop for colleges so this is helpful.
Another thing to consider, a big factor when I was looking at schools, was what majors they offer and what they are known for. When I started college, I was an engineering major and the best place for that in Florida is University of Central Florida so that’s where I went. I ended up changing majors, but it was a big driving factor for me.
My children are all still unsure about university. None of my family went but I think my eldest likes the idea, so we will have to think about looking around some soon.
I was so lucky when I chose my university because only one state-owned uni was offering the degree I wanted. I took a huge risk applying only to that one, especially that the exam was held in September whilst the rest of the universities were holding their admissions in June and July. But I got in and managed to study what I really loved.
I would always say try to speak to people who have been to that university, either via open days or through friends/ family as it might be totally different in reality vs what you see on an open day. I lived at home during university as I didn’t want the additional cost of living away so that’s a decision that needs to be made x
These are some of the same things a school counselor might ask you. In addition to finding the best school for your line of work within your budget.
Great post, it really is not as easy as you think, having friends who have gone through this. There are so many to choose and it is all about finding the one that fits with what you want/need
There’s even a lot of valid online options available for those in more restrictive situations!
There’s even a lot of valid online options available for those in more restrictive situations!!
Great tips. It feels like a long time ago I had to do this but know it will only come too soon for my daughter so will keep your advice in my back pocket for when that time comes around for her – presuming she wants to go to uni that is!
Thanks a lot for the information. My son is still in school, we’re still a few years far from university but time flies…
Such an exciting time! Great tips for those new to the college world..there is so much to consider so it is nice have a heads up on what to expect.
This is such a big decision to make. It is good to have some strategies for choosing the best fit!
It can help to give them guidance when choosing. It’s a big decision.
These are all really great and very helpful tips. Thanks for sharing this with us! I will surely gonna take note of these!
Thanks Richelle. I’m glad you found the post interesting.
Thank you for these tips. I will keep this in mind and share with friends.
Thanks Risa. I’m glad you liked the post.
Choosing the right University it’s one of the most important steps in our life. I would start with choosing the course and going to Open Days.
Open days can really influence their decision when choosing.
It is important to choose the right university. So many things in your future depend on it.
Going to college is a big expense. I did most of my college classes at the junior college or community college where it was cheaper. Going for my bachelors degree was so expensive.
Great tips here and it is definitely important to find a great university that fits your needs. Love this!
Love this and it is so important to do your research to find the perfect school!
This is such a great helpful post for the aspiring University students. I need to share this with my cousin.
Agreed. It’s very important that you are in the right environment and have the right support to be successful!
Choosing a college or university can be a tough decision. These are important factors to consider.
It is something we need to consider wisely.
This can be a tough decision. I left it up to my kids – they each chose very different institutions but both are now so happy. For me the key was that they found somewhere they want to go, not somewhere I wanted them to go.
That can make all the difference. As parents, we can tell them the pros and cons of certain places but our children should be deciding for themselves at this stage.
Having a teen who just graduated high school and is thinking about going to a university, thank you for the tips!
No problem, I’m glad you found this helpful x
Choosing the right university can be a daunting process for someone with no experience at all, so you post is so informative. It is so important to check off all these points before choosing the right place
Thanks Ash, it helps when you’ve been through it and helped others through the process.
This is a really helpful post, thank you. I wish I had seen something like this when I was looking for Universities!
Thanks Rachael. I’m glad you liked it x
A lot of choosing your own university does come down to how you feel! Going to open days is a must though; you’ve got to see the place.
It is important to visit the various options to get a feel for each.
Great post – I will be thinking about this for my daughter soon so great to have some help
It’s a big step, good luck with the research.