What are your college deal breakers?
Obviously academics need to factor into how you construct your college list, but have you also considered some of the less definable, intangible aspects of a school that are also important to you? What are your deal makers and deal breakers for selecting schools? How do you find colleges that would be a good fit? Knowing what you like (and don’t like) helps narrow your choices.
Art College/Conservatory or University? There are many ways to get a strong education in the arts and a significant consideration might be found in how you answer these questions. Do you want to be with creative students 24/7? Do you want to minor outside the arts? Do you want the facilities, clubs and activities that a large school might offer? These are just a few questions, you can read more here.
Are you a College Football Fan? Colleges with huge football programs often serve as a source of pride for their communities, contributing to a sense of identity and unity among students, alumni, and supporters. Tailgating, pep rallies, and game-day traditions are all part of the fun… think UMichigan/Stamps, Syracuse/VPA and many others.
Going Greek? Fraternities and sororities provide an instant social network and a sense of community. Greek organizations are typically involved in many aspects of campus life, including leadership roles in student government, clubs, and other extracurricular activities like mixers, formals, themed parties, and philanthropic activities. Greek life isn’t reserved for big schools either, some smaller schools like Rollins have very active greek life.
Location, location, location! Love the beach? Skiing? Hiking? Factors like climate, urban or rural setting, and proximity to interesting places are considerations to keep in mind. As we learned on our midwest road trip that was full of 80 degree sunny days, make sure you visit in the fall or winter before making a decision…Everyone has tips on how to beat the chilling wind that rolls off the Great Lakes!
Proximity to Home? If you want to come home on long weekends, attending a school that requires a 1-stop flight or a 2 hour train to the nearest airport, might not be practical. Besides the time required for travel, also consider the cost, which can add up quickly.
Big City or Small College Town? Big or small, the presence of a strong art program often leads to a vibrant cultural and artistic scene with art galleries, theaters, music venues, and cultural events. Small towns may feel more tight-knit and connected to the school, since the university is often a focal point of the area. In big cities, students often have free transportation passes giving them access to all the amenities that extend well beyond the boundaries of the school. A few hidden gem schools in very creative smaller cities are VCUArts, UNC Asheville, SUNY New Paltz, and Laguna College of Art and Design.
Internship and Job Placement Opportunities! Investigate the school's connections with industries, career services, internship programs, and job placement rates after graduation. Are there any existing relationships with companies that you want to work with? A number of schools have Co-Op programs where short work opportunities are built into the curriculum plan, read our blog on Co-Op programs for some ideas. Fostering connections is a critical part of finding your future work! You can usually find this information on their websites, for example, here is RISD's.
Quarters or Semesters? This is a consideration that many students overlook but can have an impact on many aspects of your academic and college experience from classes you can take, to internships and study abroad programs. It’s important to know what options are available to you, and it could be impacted by your school's schedule. It’s worth knowing the difference between how the quarter and semester systems work at colleges, here are some key differences.
Student Life? We firmly believe that while academics are certainly a large component of your college selection, so is the social culture at a school. If you like to play DnD and video games, are there clubs for you? If you want a specific religious community, what are they and will they meet your needs? If you want to socialize on the weekend, how many students stay on campus?
Merit Aid? College is expensive, and if you are considering a career that might need a Masters level degree, you might need to consider the cost of that extra schooling as well. Many art programs give significant merit aid for strong students, well written applications, and authentic creative portfolios.
What are your deal breakers? It’s well worth spending some time to think about what really matters to you. We'd love to help you, here's my calendar, schedule an appointment today.