3 Factors to Consider for Your Big University/College Decision

While you’re in Grade 12, it looks as if there are hundreds of thousands of packages at hundreds of thousands of faculties, every providing distinctive, interesting advantages – belief me, I understand how overwhelming it may be! Two years in the past, after I was in my senior yr of highschool, I selected the College of Toronto (St. George Campus), and there have been three key elements that influenced this resolution.

1. Scholarship availability

For a lot of college students, the amount of cash an establishment gives is an important issue to think about when selecting a faculty or program. Throughout my senior yr, the scholarship offers from the colleges I utilized to helped me determine on, and ultimately decide to, the College of Toronto’s downtown campus.

One factor I discovered from evaluating my gives was that oftentimes, the attractiveness of a scholarship will not be solely decided by the amount of cash it ensures you. In truth, some colleges supply distinctive scholarships that reach past monetary compensation, guaranteeing you sure alternatives throughout your time on the college. 

This was one of many causes I selected the College of Toronto’s St. George Campus, versus the Scarborough location. Whereas the latter campus provided me a extra beneficiant scholarship, the previous provided me extra than simply cash – it provided me a program. Via the President’s Scholarship of Excellence Program, along with a monetary award, I used to be assured a work-study job throughout my second yr, a college mentor, and entry to a world alternative throughout my undergraduate profession.

For me, it wasn’t merely in regards to the cash. Entry to those alternatives would make my undergraduate expertise extra rewarding and fulfilling, which was additionally actually vital to me. Each scholar has totally different priorities, and it’s a must to weigh the professionals and cons of your choices. For that reason, it’s so vital to consider what you worth probably the most, and what you hope to get out of your time at post-secondary. Most significantly, worth no opinion greater than your individual.

2. POSt (Program of research)

The phrase POSt, which means program of research, tends to strike worry into the hearts of many U of T college students. Sarcastically, it was truly a really engaging issue to me that contributed to my final resolution.

At U of T, college students within the College of Arts and Science don’t apply and obtain acceptance into a particular main of their senior yr. As an alternative, you apply to a “stream,” via which you’ll discover your pursuits and take programs in a lot of totally different fields. For instance, throughout my first yr within the Social Science stream, I took programs via the Munk College of World Affairs’ One Program, a physics course, a course on the science of human nature, economics, and even psychology.

The chance to discover my educational pursuits in first yr was invaluable, and I knew in highschool that I needed that freedom throughout my first yr of college. As a result of I explored so many alternative fields early on, I used to be in a position to make an knowledgeable resolution on what main I needed to pursue for the following three years of my life. 

In my expertise, highschool programs usually are not the most effective reflection of these disciplines at college. Typically, a topic you didn’t get pleasure from in highschool might be one that you just love in college. For that reason, making use of to POSt on the finish of first yr was a fantastic possibility for me. I spent a yr exploring my pursuits, studying, and finding out various things with out dedication. In hindsight, if I had gone with a direct-entry program in highschool, I’d’ve all the time questioned whether or not I made the proper resolution selecting my program so early, and I’m tremendous glad I selected U of T for that reason.

3. Selecting the best campus

I all the time knew I needed to remain at residence and go to highschool in downtown Toronto. A few of my mates all the time knew that they needed to maneuver out, dwell in residence, and expertise a college city. Realizing what sort of expertise you need is vital when selecting a campus that works for you.

My recommendation is all the time to take a look at totally different campuses, converse to college students at these colleges, and really feel out whether or not you might see your self spending a number of years there. Issues like social ambiance, assist techniques, housing choices, and bills are all vital elements that may contribute massively to your expertise. Take the time to weigh your choices and don’t decide with out figuring out what you’re committing to.

Deciding what to do and the place to go after highschool could be intimidating, however determining what’s vital to you when it comes to scholarships, program construction, and campus surroundings is a good first step to creating a call that you just’re content material with down the street. Good luck!

READ MORE: 4 Questions to Help You Decide if University Is for You