10 Points to consider while choosing a college.

It is a difficult task for every student to find the right place to get their education in their field of interest. Choosing the right college is really significant as it will determine the quality of education that you will get.

 

According to the India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), there are 45,473 colleges in India. Thus, selecting the right college becomes a tedious task. There are various aspects which should be considered while choosing an institution for higher education;

 

1. Conduct course specific research

Research and find out the colleges that offer the course of your choice. Look for the specific course that you want to pursue. List out all the colleges that offer the course and then short list the colleges based on your

interest.

 

2. Check accreditation

Ensure that the college and the course are accredited and recognized by UGC (University Grants Commission) to maintain the value of your degree. Always check the credibility of a college through the official website of UGC. Checking the accreditation is very important due to the rise of many fake universities and colleges. The UGC conducts research on the functioning of the universities and adds them to blacklist if found fake. So, it is important to always cross-check the accreditation from the UGC website.

 

3. Review the curriculum

Read the course curriculum to ensure that it covers the topic of your interest and align with your career goals. See if the course curriculum suits your interest or not. Look for the best curriculum from all the shortlisted universities. It is very important to check the curriculum because there may be the possibility of some topics that you may not want to pursue.

 

4. Look into the resources/infrastructure

Explore the resources available, such as library, classroom, studio, labs and other infrastructure that is required for your specific course. Infrastructure is an important aspect that determines the quality of education. If you are getting all the resources then it will surely enhance your learning.

 

5. Assess the quality of teaching

Look for the qualifications and experiences of the faculty to ensure high-quality education. Search for the articles or research work published by them. Search them on social media profiles like LinkedIn and try to find out more about them and their experiences in teaching.

 

6. Look into the placement record

Explore more about the college and see the latest placements and internships. Make sure that the placements match your interests. See the companies or organizations that are placing the students and you can even cross-check the placements from the companies website or social media pages. See if the placing companies align with your preferences.

 

7. Consider financial factors

Look into the cost of education and other expenses associated with it and assess whether it fits within your budget. See the detailed fee structure, admission fee, examination fee and hostel fee if applicable. If you are considering an out of station university you should look into the living

expenses as well.

 

8. Think about the geographical location

See if the college is located in your preferred area and if it is accessible to you or not. Look for colleges that are easy to access through any mode of transportation. See if there are enough basic facilities available near the college.

 

9. Read the admission process carefully

Go through the process that needs to be followed to take admission in your desired course. Read the instructions mentioned in the college website carefully. Some colleges take direct admission and some have entrance exams. So it is always important to pay attention to the admission procedure.

 

10. Speak to admission counselors/visit the college

If you have any doubts or queries the admission counselors are always ready to help you. You can reach out to them on the helpline numbers or email mentioned in their website. You can even directly visit the college and see if it aligns with your preferences.