It was late in my senior year of High School, and, though I was a good student, I hadn’t yet settled on a college to attend. Like my math homework, I just kept putting it off, not really knowing how to make the decision.
One of the math assignments I had been procrastinating had been to call three colleges that I was considering—I didn’t even know the names of three colleges—and ask them (no kidding) what calculator they recommended for my intended major. Was that a joke? I was seriously considering a career in journalism, and I was almost certain they used typewriters, not calculators.
And then, heading from my locker to lunch one day, I realized that assignment was due in 45 minutes. Oops. So I made a detour through the High School counseling office, borrowed a pencil and a Post-it note, and snagged a college guide from the waiting area. Not intending for this to cut into my lunch period any further than necessary, I jotted down the 800 numbers of three colleges… then headed for the payphone.
The first person I reached kind of chuckled when I asked my question. The second person transferred me four times, but no one could figure out what to tell me. The third school asked for my name and phone number, and followed up with me a few days later to talk to me about what I was looking for in a college.
I still didn’t know what I was looking for, but they seemed like nice people, so I arranged a college visit. John Brown University was 916 miles from my home—just about right—and had a journalism major. I was sold. Four years later I graduated with a degree in Youth Ministry.
Since then, I have spent more than a decade working with college students, as a campus minister with His House Christian Fellowship, and now in my role at SpringHill Camps. I still get a lot of questions about how to choose a college and what questions to ask during a college visit.
So here are my recommendations for the top five things to consider when you’re making your college choice:
- What percentage of undergraduate students graduate in 4 years or less?
According to the Chronicle of Higher Education’s research on college completion, only about 31% of students graduate within four years, while an additional one in every four students takes up to two years longer to finish. Those two extra years at a state college will cost you an average of about $45,000. By the way, almost half of all students who start college take longer than 6 years or never graduate. - What scholarships are available for academic achievement?
Be careful not to get sucked in by promises of most students receiving “financial aid.” The truth is, most of the aid that most of those students gets is in the form of loans, not scholarship. And, while almost 1 in 4 undergraduates will receive some sort of merit-based aid, the amounts have shrunk considerable over the past few years. If you have a strong academic background and extra-curricular involvement, be sure you’re visiting and considering colleges who will reward it with significant scholarships. If you look around, you’ll find some schools that still award full tuition scholarships, and many that also cover room, board and expenses. - Do they offer the top three majors I’m interested in?
Remember the $45,000 those extra two years of schooling will cost you? If you have to transfer from one school to another because your major choice or career aspirations have changed, you’ll likely spend at least that in the extra time it will take you to finish school. By focusing on your top possibilities for your career, and choosing a school that offers them all, you’ll be more likely to be able to finish in closer to four years. I switched majors after my sophomore year to a different program in a different department and was still able to graduate on time. - What classes are required for all students?
At some schools, you may find requirements that force you into classes you’re not particularly excited about, or that may seem more like propaganda than education. At least, by asking up front, you’ll know what you’re getting in to. - What opportunities are there for spiritual growth and Christian community?
For many students—and their parents—a Christian college or university seems quite appealing because of the environment it may provide to nurture their faith. The truth is, there are many fantastic Christian campus ministries on both private and public university campuses that provide the same kinds of opportunity. In fact, after attending a Christian college, and then serving as a campus minister at a state university, I would be proud to have my kids attend either.
In my next few posts, I’ll explore more about this last question by sharing three more questions you should ask when you’re choosing a campus ministry, and why you should consider a state university if you really want to grow in your faith.
What other things are you looking for when you go on college visits?
