by D.C. Cushman

Created on: May 29, 2008

Picking a university can be as crucial as picking a life partner. Why? Because the education you receive at a university will not only influence the rest of your life, but your career, your family, your choices and more. Your university experience will be with you forever, and you will be paying out the mouth for it, so it is vital that you select the best one that suits your need and desires.

What you should look for and take into mind when deciding on a higher education:

Why do you want to attend school?
To start your search, make sure you know what you want to attend college for. Make a list of reasons and interests. A few examples might be: Are looking to become a teacher? Are you interested in specific sports or clubs? Do you want to go Greek? Next, prioritize your list in terms of what is most important on a scale of 1 to 3. Make sure you don't forget any interests or hobbies. A lot of colleges and university have clubs or classes on obscure topics or activities. If you've always loved film, don't forget to put it down you may want to pursue an extracurricular course in humanities and film. If you are undecided as to what you want to receive a degree in, this is a fun way to learn about your strengths, and tie them into furthering your education.

How much are you willing to spend?
Everyone hates to talk about how much school costs. You should however take this into deep consideration when picking the right school. Ideally, you should have a number in mind of the maximum amount you want to spend on your education. A typical 4 year public university education costs around $60,000 for four years, and a private 4 year could be closer to $100,000. On the other hand, an average community college bachelor's degree would more likely cost around $9000. If you are looking to get a degree on-line, the average bachelor's degree could cost upwards of $75,000 with all the hidden fees for using the on-line portal. Attending an out of state (or country) college always costs more, anywhere from 15-40% extra for being a non-resident.

Where is your funding coming from?
There are all types of student loans available for anyone. If you are taking out a loan, make sure the lending institution is well known and has a good reputation. Generally speaking, most all students of any income or with any credit history can gain a loan. If you are paying out of pocket, you may consider gaining a work-study program if you have a job, or want to get a job. Grants are also available. Most you

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