Formula to simplify college selection

Gauri Chhabra

Come March, students and parents all over the country suffer from peaked stress levels. They have to deal with two major decisions of their lives — which colleges to apply and which one to finally enroll in. Over the time, the process has become more complex. Also, the pressure on students has intensified over the past decade or so, owing to the soaring cut offs and  beeline for admissions to some of the top-notch universities of the country. 

Students fill the forms of as many as 20-25 colleges to ensure they have a fall-back option in place. The result is a whopping number of applications leading to chaos at all levels. On the other hand, there are students who only aim to get admission in their dream college, and don't fill the forms of any other institute. And in case they don't make it to the desired college, they waste a year. 

So, how do you decide on the number of application forms you should buy? How do you zero in on a college? How do you trade off a college for a subject of your interest? These and many other questions need to be answered. Here is discussing some of them.

Getting admission in a reputed college is what most students aim at. The national Capital houses five major universities — Delhi University (DU), Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Ambedkar University and Indraprastha University — but most school pass-outs prefer DU.

There are over 4,000 institutes that prospective college students can apply to, but deciding on the number of colleges to pursue can take time, research and a little soul-searching.

Here is a list of common factors that you need to keep in mind while filling up the admission forms. This can work towards your advantage.

Number of applications

Applicants should carefully weigh the number of colleges where they will submit applications to maximise their chances of being a strong candidate. Applying to too many or few colleges can have some drawbacks. While there isn't any ideal number of colleges that applicants should aim for, there is a specific range for sure. Prospective students should have between four and eight colleges on their list. Ideally, you would want to have at least two 'safety' colleges. So you have got three target colleges, and two ‘reach’ colleges to go with those two safeties.

Safety colleges are institutions that are almost certain to admit applicants. Target colleges are likely to trigger some competition among students. Students can usually determine which category an institute falls into based on the average test scores and GPA for its incoming students.

Applying takes effort and submitting applications to a large number of colleges may ruin the quality of the prospective student's applications.

Proximity

Youngsters seek freedom and in a bid to achieve that they may pick a college far from hometown. They believe this might give them independence. Always remember that  what was served on a platter at home will become a thing of luxury on the campus. You might have to wait for a long vacation to visit your hometown. And it would be a long struggle. I have seen many students taking admissions in a frenzy and then filling up the migration forms after they have tasted the first semester. Proximity to hometown is a very significant factor while zeroing in on a college. Thus, many students go to college in their home state. 

Academic excellence and reputation

Although academics offered at a college are important, one can't undermine the importance of faculty. Experience and credentials of faculty can influence a student's choice of college. If students get an opportunity, they must make an effort to interact with the faculty.  

Marketing

Websites with comprehensive details about the institutes is one of the most reliable tools of marketing. Institutions' websites are heavily-accessed online resources. A study suggests 97 per cent of students view college websites on their phones. On the contrary, majority of students confessed that they wouldn't download a university's app. 

Scan a college's website to know the courses these offer, campus infrastructure and facilities. Also, you can explore a microsite aimed specifically at prospective students.

Comfort

You have to decide if you want to choose the college considering the level of comfort it will promise or the challenges you have to deal with. Environment of the college is important to consider when making a decision. After all, you won't attend classes here occasionally! Rather, the college will be the place where you will spend a few years of your life. For instance, if you have lived all your life in the comfort of the countryside, you would feel lost if you get admission in the colleges of metro cities. In case, it is possible, make sure you visit the campuses. If a campus feels like home, take it as a good sign. If you can't imagine yourself living in a particular climate, cross that college off your list immediately.

Cost

You should also think about money when deciding on where to apply. When narrowing down to a college, students should also consider which colleges will really prepare them for success. It is important to 'fit in' an institution. 

If the student is excited about the community that she will be surrounded by, the institute should be zeroed down on. Also keep in mind the ideal campus size and if it is urban or suburban environment that the student is looking forward to. 

Applicants should put their best foot forward to leverage their chance at an acceptance letter from a college that embodies what they value most in an institution.

It's always about the quality of your applications and the quality education provided at institutes that will make you take a call ultimately.