Where to Start? 5 Things to Consider Before Searching for Schools

By: Cristina Matteis

Searching for post-secondary schools can be an overwhelming experience. Often times, the hardest part is figuring out where to start.

In order to start searching for schools, you will need to take some time for personal introspection. This means taking a step back and thinking about your values, long term career aspirations and the factors that are most important to your success and happiness.

When you begin to prioritize your needs in this way, you will get a better understanding of what you are looking for in a school. Here are 5 things you may want to consider:

1.Field of Study– What programs are you interested in studying?

2.Location and Accessibility of the School– Are you ready to leave home and move to a new city? Do you want to be able to visit home often? How far away are you willing to go – a plane ride or a train ride away? Do you want a school that is within driving or walking distance of where you will be living?

3.Campus and Classroom Size– Do you enjoy the idea of being on a large campus with a lot of people or do you feel more comfortable in smaller, more intimate settings? Think about your learning style – do you need a one-on-one relationship with your teachers in order to understand new concepts or are you an independent learner?

4.Financial Aid and Scholarships– How will you be funding your education? Are you able to work a part-time job during your first year of school or will you need some extra help (either through scholarships, grants or loans)?

5.Activities and Facilities– Are you someone who plays a particular sport or instrument? What types of activities do you like to participate in on your spare time and what helps you to de-stress?

Prioritizing your needs and establishing a better understanding of yourself as an individual will help make searching for schools less of an overwhelming project and more of a fun, exciting process!