Finding the Right Pieces to Your University Puzzle

Selecting your dream school can be stressful, especially when many from an outside perspective look similar. So, how does one pinpoint where they will thrive best? With many outstanding, nationally recognized schools in our network, the opportunities are endless, but a deeper dive is necessary when deciding where to spend your next two to four years.

Where do you begin finding the best school to help you thrive and meet all your education and career goals? It’s essential to narrow your options. In many ways, picking the ‘perfect’ school is like shopping for a new car. Which brand is the most reliable? Will the model you are looking at be the right size and fit for your family? Does it have good gas mileage if you travel a lot? Does this model take the most cost-effective gas? All these questions lead you to the same outcome: finding a car you can always feel comfortable in and satisfied with. The same can be said when picking your school.

Initiating the university selection process with self-reflection is crucial. Understanding who you are, what you value, and where you can achieve your goals is key. With numerous excellent choices in our network, consider some basics to begin. What size of school are you looking for? Do you want to attend a school in Missouri or Kansas or maybe even remote? How far do you want to be from home? Do you want to continue living at home while going to school, or do you need to see what housing options are available? Do they have your preferred major or study area in which you are interested? What does the campus culture look like, and are there extracurriculars to keep you busy and growing? All these questions will help narrow your search to see where you will excel the most.

As much as we all would like for one school to hit every preference we have, it may not be as plausible as we would hope. While all these questions are important, find which aspects you believe to be essential and non-negotiables. For example, if you know you are the type of student who has stronger learning techniques in small classes, it may be best to start narrowing your search by only looking at smaller campuses. Or, if you prefer to take courses in the evening, finding a school with ample late-night classes would be best. Figuring out your top three essentials for a college campus will help refine your search and put the schools that carry your non-negotiables at the forefront. Once your search has been narrowed, peruse your top schools’ websites and set up campus tours to help you form a well-rounded opinion.

Today’s students have the power of technology to make this process easier. We have created an online tool for our Scholars to browse our partners. To find your dream school within our network, visit our website https://greatjobskc.org/find-your-college/ and use our interactive tool to look closer at our partner colleges and universities. This tool, designed to empower you, will filter and narrow your search to match your non-negotiables and interests. It allows you to search for anything from proximity to Kansas City, private or public institutions, degrees available, student population, student-to-faculty ratio, course formats, housing, and more. Remember, you’re not alone in this process. Reach out to your direct resources, including your Scholar Advocate, who is here to support and guide you every step of the way.