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Choosing a School

OK, you've decided you want to go back to college, now what? If you have more than one choice of school, how do you know which to choose? Getting started can be a little easier if you know what to look for and what to expect.

The process is much like choosing a college straight out of high school, but there are differences, too. Here's a brief guide to help.

Exploring

The first step is to investigate what schools near you have programs of interest to you. If you don't know what schools are in your area, check your local newspaper or phone directory. There are also many web sites with searchable college directories. Some of these directories are quite sophisticated, though they are designed for the traditional student – for example, you can search by any number of parameters, including extracurricular activities offered. But most adults simply need to know the names and addresses of all schools in the immediate vicinity. To start, try the Department of Education's IPEDS database or search the Maricopa database to locate a community college near you.

Then contact several schools to get their literature. You should visit the school and talk to an admissions counselor. It's also a good idea to talk to other students at the school.

Making the decision

Now that you've done the legwork, here are some of the things you should consider in selecting the right school for you. You may have to ask the admissions counselor more questions – that's ok. Now's the time to do it. You'll avoid unpleasant surprises later!

1. Program
  • Is there one (or more) that matches your goals?
  • If not, is there something close that you might consider as an alternative?
  • Is the program specially designed for adult students, or is it a traditional program with courses offered at night?

    2. Quality
  • Does the school have a reputation for quality?
  • How do graduates fare in the job market, in graduate school?
  • Do the instructors have professional experience in your field?

    3. Schedule/Location
  • Does the school offer the program you want in the evenings and/or on weekends?
  • Can you complete the program in the same location? Many colleges now offer courses at extension sites to accommodate working adults. Just make sure you won't get stuck traveling an hour or so to the main campus at the end of your program!
  • Will the program continue to be offered over the next few years? These days there are many experimental adult programs. If they don't succeed, they will be dropped. Any reputable school will ensure that once you start a program, you will be able to earn your degree – as long as you're continuously enrolled. But what happens if circumstances require you to "stop out" for one or more terms? There are no guarantees, of course, but the school should be willing and able to work with you to develop alternative solutions.

    4. Flexibility
  • Is the program laid out for you in advance, or do you have the flexibility to mix and match courses and/or concentrations, or to take one course or three, as you can?
  • If the program is offered in a cohort format (you go through all classes with the same group of students), what happens if you need to stop out one semester? You should find out if there will be another group behind this one that you can join.

    5. Financial Aid
  • Is the program offered on a part-time or full-time basis? This will make a significant difference in the amount and types of financial aid you can receive.
  • If it's an online program, can you get financial aid at all?
  • If you are eligible for tuition reimbursement, will this program meet your employer's standards?

    6. Going on
    If you already know that you want to pursue graduate studies, it's important to consider now whether or not this program will meet the requirements of most graduate programs. Even if you don't plan to continue your studies, it's still a good idea to check this out. You'd be surprised at how many adult students continue on to get master's degrees.
  • Is the school regionally accredited? If not, your credits will not transfer into a graduate program.
  • Is the program you're interested in recognized/accredited in its field (e.g., social work, management, psychology programs)?
  • Will the program prepare you for graduate school or certification exams (e.g., teaching, information technology)?

    6/12/01

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