Choosing College

One of the most important decisions a college-bound high school senior will make is -where- to go to college. But apparently many make the wrong decision. Bill Ratliff has more in tonight's Assignment: Education report.. Bill?

Thanks Bob. Statistics show more than 50-percent of college students will transfer to other schools, during their college careers. Tonight.. A bay area college counselor has some important advice for students, who are about ready to make the big decision.

High school seniors Nabeel Hamoui and Jennifer Martin are just months from graduation.. and weeks away from choosing a college.

--[Teacher Miriam Sardone says:] "That has do with the right hand limit.."--

As Jennifer works on a math analysis question, there are other pressing questions she has already answered about her -future.- She knows she wants to major in business in college.. a that college has to be in-state. She also knows her college of choice has to be small.

--[Student Jennifer Martin says:] "Because I do better in a small class. I have a connection with the teacher. If I'm in a larger class I'll feel like I'm just a number. I'd be lost."-

Nabeel has made similar decisions and has applied to five schools that match his needs.

--[Student Nabeel Hamoui:] "Well, uh, their business program..their medical program.. their overall programs in other fields. And just the envirnoment.. you know a small school."--

Nabeel and Jennifer have already asked themselves some of the most important questions for choosing a college. But veteran college counselor Mike Kennedy says many students and their families don't. He says they make their decision based on emotion.

--[College Counselor Mike Kennedy says:] ".. Is because its football team is in the top ten of the United States? Is it because it's close to home? Is it because it's far away from home?"--

Kennedy says there is a list of questions to ask when making a choice: What type of majors or programs are offered? Will full professors teach your classes? What is the graduation rate of the school ? What area of the country is more appealing?
Will you be more comfortable at a big school or smaller school, that may or may not have a strong Greek system? And when it comes to cost.. families must be honest with themselves early on.

Here is some more advice from Mike Kennedy: Apply to at least five colleges you would like to attend. Make sure they're schools you really want to go to.. not just ones you're sure will accept you. And.. if you have to write an essay as part of the application process, have an English teacher review it before sending it in.

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