Ask the Experts: Choosing Between Colleges
Question:
I am attending a two year college and plan to transfer to a four year college next fall. I’ve narrowed my choices to two schools, both of which
are good but one of which is much better than the other. The problem is that
the better school charges a lot more per credit and they will not accept all
of the credits that I’ve earned from the two year school. Which should I
attend?
First Answer:
There is an old saying that you don’t always get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get. Getting a college education is an investment in your future. A good education from a great school that is right for you will pay dividends for the rest of your life. In the long run, the extra money that you have to fork over for a better school may help you make thousands more each year!
I think the issue you should be focusing on isn’t one of COST, but whether or not the four year school has the types of programs and educators that will help you prosper in the years to come. If the school is much more expensive, work another job, get a loan, ask for student aid. Don’t let the cost deter you! On the other hand, perhaps there are other four year institutions in your area that can provide similar services at a lower cost. Do your homework, think about the choices carefully, then move forward with confidence.
— Alison Blackman Dunham, life & career expert, columnist, personal public relations consultant, half of THE ADVICE SISTERS¬Ã, and the author of the ASK ALISON career advice column
Second Answer:
I hesitate to tell someone which job to take and which school to attend. There are many personal factors that impact all of
us in different ways. It is the individual who is making the
decision who knows what they are willing to live with and what
they are not. That caveat given, choosing a university is very
much like choosing an employer. Here are some recommendations
for making your decision:
- Consider the reputation of each school and how a degree from either will be viewed by potential employers.
- Find out who the alumni are and how good is their networking system is. Learn what is their track record is in the field you
wish to pursue. - Take into consideration what the learning environment is like – study enormous hours with little time for anything else;
time for some balance; supportive instructors who encourage
development of critical and creative thinking; extremely
competitive study body. - Look at which school offers a curriculum that is most specialized for the industry and field of endeavor(s) you want
to pursue.
Financing your education is a matter that involves different factoring. It involves how much you have already saved toward
financing your studies, whether you will work part time to
supplement your existing or future funds, applying for
scholarships, grants, and (last option) student and government
loans.
So I guess the short answer is let the quality of the education and results of that, along with whether there is a
personality/school culture match be your deciding factors.
— Yvonne LaRose, career and professional development coach, Career and Executive Recruiting Advice
Third Answer:
Well, that is a tough decision–one that requires consideration of many factors. But to help you, take a cost-benefit approach. First, how many credits will the “better” school accept, and how much money will it all cost you in the long run? Set it up in a spreadsheet, with two columns–one for each school. Compare the numbers in tuition cost, and time spent at school. Also, different schools have different reputations when it comes to fields of study. Is this “better” school well regarded for your major? What SPECIFIC advantages (besides an impressive name on your resume) do you see by attending one school over the other?
Finally, remember this, especially since both schools are well regarded. Your career prospects will not depend nearly as much on which school you attend as it will on the opportunities you make for yourself during this time. Be active, work, build relationships, and always be on the lookout for needs that you can fill. Build that kind of track record, and the name of your school will suddenly not mean as much. But the experience you make of it always will.
— Keith F. Luscher, Creative Director with Goettler Associates, Inc., a fund-raising consulting firm serving non-profit organizations nationwide, and author of Don’t Wait Until You Graduate!
Fourth Answer:
In today’s highly competitive job market, everything matters. The best schools do cost more and with that extra cost comes recognition. I have seen two equally qualified candidates entry level resumes reviewed by a hiring manager and the one from the “good” school got the interview. On the flip side, the “good” school degree also opens doors to higher paying jobs and there are some companies that only recruit from “good” schools. Transferring schools or changing majors often leads to non-transferable credits – this is expected. Look into financial aid, student loans, and work-study programs to offset the increase in tuition cost. You get one chance in life to get a four-year degree – so get it from the school that will pay off the most in the long run.
If you are still wondering, work with a professional coach who can guide you through the process easier and faster. I am offering a 20% discount on one month of coaching to anyone who mentions this article.
— Janine A. Schindler, Professional Coach and owner of the Jas Coaching Company
Fifth Answer:
There are many factors involved in making this decision. And because it will affect the rest of your life, you want to make the decision that is right for you. I would start by scheduling an information interview with a counselor from each of the schools you are interested in attending. If you are able to do this interview in person, great! If not, you can schedule a phone interview with them.
The purpose of an information interview is to gather more information about something so you can make an informed decision. With this in mind, think of questions you might ask that will help you make this decision. If you are concerned about the costs, ask them about financial aid, scholarships, grants, and loans. If you are concerned about the number of credits you can transfer, ask them if there are other ways you can earn credit through their
programs.
Tell them your concerns and ask them to give reasons why you should choose their school over the other one. Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each one, then make your decision based on what is most important to you.
— Carla Barrett, trainer who uses state of the art methods for coaching individuals towards success and fulfillment in their careers
