When students look at college choices they often find it overwhelming as there are so many options out there. Realizing that each student will prioritize key factors differently and have their own perspective, there are several key questions that families and students can ask themselves to help in comparing educational locations. I recently visited Queens University, a small, private liberal arts college in Charlotte, NC and will use it as a case study to demonstrate the conversation you could have around these guiding questions:
Does this college option have the major(s) you are interested in? Research all of the majors offered at each college you are considering. You may be undecided, or you may think you know exactly what field you want to study. The reality is that many students do not stick with the major they choose at first, so it's helpful if the school has more than one area you are interested in. Exposure to new ideas and careers is part of the college process, so many students choose to go in a new direction. Having a college with many majors of potential interest is one way to help make sure you can graduate in four years. Queens University of Charlotte offers over 50 majors, some of the most popular of which are in the health sciences, business, biological science, communication, and psychology areas.
What is unique about the offerings beyond academics? Remember that you are looking for the best personal choice socially, financially, and academically. Does the campus atmosphere offer a good fit for your personality and study preferences? Are there extracurricular activities that you are attracted to so you can get involved right away? Queens University has over 30 sports programs and 35+ student clubs. The students are called “Royals” and get involved in campus initiatives which focus on community service, including the annual Royal Day of Service. Just this year the college won an award for their commitment to sustainability. Queens has an Academic Honors Program with an honors living-learning community, priority course registration, and dedicated programming.
What is the size of the college and its programs? Consider size in relation to what you are comfortable with and what it may bring for resources, networking, and nearby opportunities for internships and connections. Queens University is a small private college with approximately 1900 students located in the picturesque Myers Park neighborhood, walkable to nearby shops and eateries. Charlotte has been named as one of the fastest growing cities - with new companies and many opportunities for partnerships. It was known as the “Queen City” because of the European settlers who settled Charlotte in 1768, perhaps that’s part of the origin for the name of Queens University as well. Queens works to foster a sense of intentional balance “where big city meets small school”. There are many different colleges and universities based in the Charlotte area, each with its own focus, offerings and pros/cons. Overall Charlotte is known as a young energetic, athletic city with Southern culture.
What practical and logistical matters should be considered? Compare the net costs for each college, looking at "free" money from scholarships and grants differently than loans or work study money. Queens does offer merit scholarships which are considered automatically with the admissions application. Over 95% of Queens students receive some type of financial aid. Take into account the overall cost of attendance - which includes housing, books and fees, and more. If the location is far from home, consider how the student will travel between school and home and its convenience. Will you need a car (added cost) or will you fly (consider cost and convenience). (Charlotte does have a major airport.)
After having some of these comparison conversations, it’s recommended that students try to visit each of their top options to get a closer look and feel of the campus. Could you see yourself living there for four years? Could you see yourself being happy there? What attracted you to that area? Was it the weather, size of the city, or something else? While not considered a warm weather state (like Florida), North Carolina offers three seasons and warmer weather than many northern states, as the average winter temps are highs in the 50s. The metro area of Charlotte has a population of over 900,000, offering many sports teams (professional, minor league, and college teams), nightlife, eateries, and the outdoor options like hiking and mountain biking in nearby mountain towns. There are numerous colleges in Charlotte, bringing over 50,000 students to the city each year and facilitating the feel of a young person city. Residents enjoy an up-and-coming food scene and access to mountains and oceans within a few hours drive.
Ideally you will find many college options which are a good match for your interests and goals and can use some of the details you deem less important to narrow things down and make a final decision. Different colleges are right for different students - the work is finding the one you want to attend!
Confident College Planning helps families uncover a variety of new options they may not have heard of and guides students all throughout the application process. Contact me at nancy@confidentcollegeplanning.com for assistance – I would love to help you on your college planning journey!
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