Selecting the Right College for Your Athlete
2009 June 05 by: ScottOne of the biggest decisions you are going to help your high school athlete make is, “What college is the right one for my athletic child?” This article will provide you with some thought provoking ideas and factors that will help you make the right college choice for your child.
Begin by taking all the colleges you are considering and write each school’s name on the top of a piece of paper. Draw a line down the middle of the paper. While completing the following exercise you will be using a rating system using the numbers 1 through the number of colleges you are interested in attending. For example, if you have narrowed your choices down to six colleges, you will be using the number 1-6. On one half of the page, write down the following question. On the other half, the answers. After you are done answering all the questions for each college, rank each school at the top next to the school’s name.
Questions to answer about the colleges you are considering for your athlete:
1. How does each college rank academically on other college rating scales? There are numerous helpful online college rating programs. Here are three examples: NextScholar.com, A2zcolleges.com, HowToGetIn.com
2. Which college has the most to offer in your area of interest? Have each college send you or when you visit the college pick up a department or course offering of classes that are offered in your area of interest. Ask the admission office which courses are taught by “full professors.” Many are taught by graduate students. Does the college allow undergraduate students to take graduate classes in this area? What are the course requirements?
