Choosing a College, Vo-Tech or Business School

The process of choosing a school for post-secondary education can be a very confusing one. Often students choose schools for the wrong reasons. Things, which seem important at the time, may seem rather trivial in the future. These reasons are probably not a good basis for choosing a school:

    1. My boyfriend/girlfriend is going there.
    2. Everyone in my family has gone there.
    3. Everyone in my family wants me to go there.
    4. I don't know anywhere else to go.
    5. It's a "fun" school.

Obviously the above are not good reasons for choosing a college, at least not by themselves. However, some students make these major considerations. Here is a basic process everyone should consider in choosing a school.

1. Know yourself
    A. Recognize your strengths and weaknesses
    B. Analyze your interests
    C. Evaluate your alternatives
    D. Consider all colleges, regardless of cost
    E. Look at what you want in the future

2. Know your reasons for attending college
    A. Personal goals
    B. Career preparation
    C. Learning opportunities
    D. Life values
    E. Influence of family and friends

3. Consider all options
    A. Four-year college or universities
    B. Junior college or community college
    C. Technical school                                                             
    D. Business school
    E. Specialized trade school
    F. Military service
    G. Work

4. Identify factors important in choosing a school
    A. Major and study programs available
    B. School location and size
    C. Reputation
    D. Costs and Financial Aid
    E. Characteristics of the student body

5. Develop a list of the schools that meet your needs

6. Investigate and compare these schools
    A. Obtain information from counseling center or the school itself
    B. Make a comparison checklist
    C. Weigh advantages and disadvantages
    D. Attend a college planning conference

7. Make a campus visit
    A. Arrange the visit through the Counselor's Office
    B. Meet with an admissions counselor   
    C. Ask about admissions requirements (test, grades, etc.)
    D. Discuss, honestly, your chances for success
    E. Determine costs and financial aid
    F. Determine placement results for students in your field of study
    G. Talk with instructors in your field of study
    H. Talk with students, especially some in your area of study
    I. Try to visit during the week and attend classes if possible
    J. Visit student residence halls and dining facilities
    K. Take a campus tour
    L. Ask about clubs and organizations in which you are interested
    M. Inquire about campus life and social activities

8. Apply for admission
    A. Acquire an application form
    B. Know deadlines and fees
    C. Acquire a copy of your high school transcript

Admission

A student may apply to as many schools as he/she wishes. Some schools do have application or processing fee which are usually not refundable. The counselor's office has a supply of admission applications to most Kansas schools. To receive an application for an out-of-state school, the student needs to request an admission packet from the college, university or technical school. This should be done as early as possible during the senior year or the summer before the senior year. The following pages contain sample letters illustrating the format and information that should be used/included when a student contacts a school.

Again, application for admission to a college or technical school should occur in the first semester of the senior year.

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