Nine Myths About Choosing a College - Advice From Knox College
Myth #1
A DEGREE FROM AN IVY LEAGUE UNIVERSITY WILL GIVE YOU AN EDGE WITH FUTURE EMPLOYERS
It may be true that an Ivy League college name on your resume might help you land your first job. But people rarely keep their first job for more than a couple of years. After that, it's your performance and the personal and professional qualities you demonstrate on the job that will advance your career. You'd be better off going to the school that best prepares you to learn and grow and succeed throughout your career than going for the name that simply gets you the first job.
Myth #2
THE ONLY GOOD COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARE THOSE IN THE EAST (OR CALIFORNIA)
The geographic location of a school has nothing to do with quality. Its faculty, its educational philosophy, and its commitment to its students do.
Myth #3
PRIVATE COLLEGES ARE TOO EXPENSIVE TO CONSIDER
Creating a diverse community of intelligent, creative students who want to learn is key to achieving their mission, and they don't et money be an obstacle to achieving that mission. Most will have scholarship and financial aid resources that make their tuition affordable, and their financial aid staff will turn over every stone to find ways for you to afford your education.
Myth #4
SMALL COLLEGES DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO PREPARE YOU FOR GRAD SCHOOL
First, what gets you into grad school are your grades and your abilities - there isn't a medical school out there accepting C+ students from the Ivy League. Second, whether it's electron microscopes or professors who are active, respected professionals in their fields, small colleges do have resources. Third, the equipment and faculty resources at big schools are usually dedicated to the students who are already in grad school. The best thing to do is find a school that has the resources you need and gives you hands-on access to those resources.
Myth #5
LIBERAL ARTS GRADUATES AREN'T EMPLOYABLE
Liberal arts graduates are remarkably successful at finding jobs within their fields, and liberal arts "fields" include such disciplines as chemistry, computer science and economics. In addition to preparing you for a career or training you in a specific discipline, a liberal arts education teaches you how to learn on your own. No skill makes you more employable than that.
Myth #6
YOU SHOULD ONLY CONSIDER SCHOOLS YOU'VE HEARD OF
While there's nothing wrong with going to a school you've heard of, you're better off going to a school you've researched and visited and think you might fit in at, a school that's going to provide you with the right balance of challenge and support, freedom and guidance.
Myth #7
YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR MAJOR BEFORE YOU BEGIN YOUR COLLEGE SEARCH
You most emphatically do not need to know your major to begin your college search. If that were the case, 80% of the people who've ever gone to college would have never applied. Figuring out what you want to study and what you want to do with your life is what college is for, and most good ones encourage you to take classes in a number of different disciplines so you can make an informed decision. Rather than worrying about your major, focus on finding a college that will prepare you to learn for the rest of your life, regardless of what your career might be.
Myth #8
BIG SCHOOLS HAVE BETTER ATHLETICS
Big schools have bigger athletics programs - bigger budgets, bigger facilities, bigger tailgate parties. But unless you're attending that big school on an athletic scholarship, your participation will be limited to cheering from the stands. If you really want to play, especially if you want to play more than one sport, you're much more likely to get in the game at a Division III school. With the emphasis smaller schools place on learning and athletics, you are also more likely to be successful both on and off the field.
Myth #9
SMALL SCHOOLS OFFER FEW SOCIAL AND EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
The opposite is true. Because small liberal arts schools understand how much learning happens outside the classroom, they make sure that the education they offer addresses all your needs - including your social, political, and creative needs. Far from having nothing going on, these institutions are home to a wealth of active clubs, teams, and organizations that allow you to exercise your talents, develop your leadership skills, or just hang out with people who share your interests.