Ten Ways to ‘Test Drive’ a College or University
March 23, 2009 by Jason Mackenzie
Filed under Online Colleges
Choosing the best institution or online college is a difficult and time consuming task. Since most schools have an application submission fee, it can get quite expensive if there is no way to narrow down the choices.
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1. Check On-Line websites Use the internet to its full advantage and research the college of your choice on-line. Visit their web-page (all accredited colleges should have one) and read every single article, blog and link that they offer. Obtain information on the student population and various student related activities that are offered both on and off campus.
1. Check On-Line websites Use the internet to its full advantage and research the college of your choice on-line. Visit their web-page (all accredited colleges should have one) and read every single article, blog and link that they offer. Obtain information on the student population and various student related activities that are offered both on and off campus.
3. Does the college offer on-line courses? Can you take classes on-line? Can you secure an online degree? Are these courses equivalent to on-campus courses? Are they comprehensive in scope and content? If possible enroll in an on-line course to get a feel for the class work load.
3. Does the college offer on-line courses? Can you take classes on-line? Can you secure an online degree? Are these courses equivalent to on-campus courses? Are they comprehensive in scope and content? If possible enroll in an on-line course to get a feel for the class work load.
5. Find someone who has attended the college Talk to a former graduate (or drop-out) and find out how they liked it. Did they find it hard? Was the faculty accessible? What about the work load? Where they able to take exams or submit papers on-line via the internet? If the individual had drop-out or transferred, try to find out the reason.
5. Find someone who has attended the college Talk to a former graduate (or drop-out) and find out how they liked it. Did they find it hard? Was the faculty accessible? What about the work load? Where they able to take exams or submit papers on-line via the internet? If the individual had drop-out or transferred, try to find out the reason.
7. What is the school’s academic standing? Go on-line and try to determine what the school’s academic reputation is. Find out if it has a large graduate population and devotes a majority of their energies towards research. Is the student population composed of mainly undergraduates where an emphasis is placed on teaching and learning?
7. What is the school’s academic standing? Go on-line and try to determine what the school’s academic reputation is. Find out if it has a large graduate population and devotes a majority of their energies towards research. Is the student population composed of mainly undergraduates where an emphasis is placed on teaching and learning?
9. Visit the town or city that is associated with the school. If you plan to attended classes on-campus then, if possible, tour surrounding areas which cater to the college’s student population. Go and visit the stores, shops, and eateries. Get a feel for what the prices are of everyday items that you will need to purchase. Is it possible to find off campus housing? Can you afford to live off campus?
9. Visit the town or city that is associated with the school. If you plan to attended classes on-campus then, if possible, tour surrounding areas which cater to the college’s student population. Go and visit the stores, shops, and eateries. Get a feel for what the prices are of everyday items that you will need to purchase. Is it possible to find off campus housing? Can you afford to live off campus?
10. Conduct comparative research. Determine on-line how your chosen school stacks up with similar colleges. Does it offer the same or similar courses? Are the courses transferable to a large number of other institutions?
If, after following some or all of these steps, a particular college or set of schools just feels right, or if you find that you just have a good feeling about what you have discovered after comparing the information you’ve gathered about on-line schools; then trust your instincts and go with the feeling.