8 Things to Think About When Deciding on a University

The past week has somehow been all about universities. I attended the Ontario Universities Fair in downtown Toronto on Saturday, September 28, 2019. I attended the University Pathways Fair at my school on Thursday, October 3rd. And we’ve had counselors come and go with more and more information about applying to universities. Everybody talked about the same things: Programs, Fees and Housing.

But at the UPF, someone asked me to write down 3 things I wanted from the university I choose to attend. And that made me realize that I didn’t have a clear idea. I’ve known for a long time what I want to do at university and after university. But I never stopped to think about what I wanted to do at university.

So, here are some aspects and factors to think about if you are applying to university or even just researching about possible choices:

(Disclaimer: I have yet to apply to university. The following factors are what University Recruitment Officers ask us to focus on. There are other aspects factors to be considered as well, but these are some that affect you just as much as your stream does. On an unrelated note, most of these factors apply to college, too. So, consider these even if you aren’t applying to university.)

1. Class size: If you’re like me and love to get your questions answered by a teacher as soon as they pop into your head, a class with 1500 students sitting in an auditorium, while the teacher drones on won’t be the right class for you. Just because a university has a good reputation doesn’t mean it’s right for everybody. And even reputed schools can have smaller class sizes. Why this is important is because, if you love interacting with your teacher or want the same environment as a high school class, where your teacher knows you on a first-name basis, you want a class size that allows all of that. Unless you sit in the 1st row and are doing something to get your professors' attention every day, the chances of them knowing you very well are low in a class of more than 60 people.

2. Extracurriculars: What I want to do in postgraduation requires a 1000-word essay outlining my employment, volunteering and extracurricular experiences since I was 16. Employment and volunteering experiences can be pretty easy to come by if you know where to look, but if you spent your whole school life studying and decided to go to a university that didn’t have any clubs or teams you’d appreciate, you’d be stuck either doing nothing or in a club you detest. And, yes, clubs and teams are just as important as academia because they show involvement in a social environment. Universities and offices look for people who can balance their work and social life, so being a part of clubs and teams shows that you are an all-rounder.

3. Research Opportunities: I have always loved science and all the endless possibilities it entails. While reading my textbooks, a lot of questions come to my mind. And if even google can’t answer my question, my presumption is usually that nobody has researched this yet. To me, a research opportunity would be as important as an interactive class. I want to have this option of conducting my own research and helping society be even better. And research isn’t only for science streams. Research and analytics are a big part of the commerce fields. Something as simple as a door to door survey is a method of conducting research. So, if you think of yourself as a curious person, ready to find your own answers, make sure your universities of choice offer you a good opportunity.

4. Employment Opportunities: A part-time job at a library or restaurant can pay some bills. But what’s the point if all it does is make you miserable? Nowadays, universities offer Co-op with a lot of their courses. Essentially, this means you will be placed in a work environment corresponding to your field of study and you’ll earn money for learning how to put your post-secondary knowledge to use. Some opportunities can get you a hefty check. So, if you plan to pay for your education through a job, check to see if the course you want has a co-op option and apply to it.

5. Location: It can be tough to think of a life away from your comfy room. But, sometimes, studying in a different city, or even country, can be the push you need to get out of your comfort zone. On the other hand, staying at home and studying in your home city can save you money on things like rent, food, laundry, and utilities. You have to ask yourself what is more important to you, and what can you afford. Residence plans can be expensive, but university graduates usually say to get the real university experience, you have to live on campus.

6. Night Life and Food: Another factor in selecting a university in a different city is the nightlife of that city and the diversity of restaurants. If you’re used to having McDonald’s every Friday night, but the university you end up going to is in a town with no McD’s, you won’t be a very happy student. And if you like to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the downtown, a university in the suburbs, where it’s lights out at 8 pm, won’t be the right choice for you.

7. Diversity: As a person of colour, I am very proud to say that my school is culturally diverse and very inclusive. It’s important to me that my teachers aren’t outwardly racist. For me, going to a university with barely anybody with brown parents and a good understanding of Hindi would not be a suitable option. How am I supposed to gossip about people without them knowing if no one can understand what I’m saying? I don’t do that. I’m a good person. But diversity may be an important factor for you, and it should be something to consider when looking at the student life of a university. Usually, you’ll know that a university is diverse if they have culture clubs or clubs for certain faiths. A larger number of those indicates much-wanted diversity.

8. Scholarships: There are many ways to pay for tuition fees, housing/rent, food, and other expenses. You could get a job. You could ask your parents to pitch in. You could get a loan. But people often forget that many organizations are willing to give you free money for the simple task of writing an essay. Some scholarships may seem intimidating with their grand prizes or long application forms. But there are scholarship websites that have the weirdest and quirkiest contests that allow every kind of person to find a relatable scholarship. You could get $500 for being a vegetarian or for being tall or for having a pet or for travelling a lot. You can easily find many just by searching scholarships in (your city/country) for high school students. Consider looking for scholarships because it’s money you won’t have to give back.

Some additional tips for when you are deciding on where to go:

1. Visit the university’s campus. My guidance counsellor said that don’t let your first day at university be your first time there. Universities usually have open houses and campus tours that can give you a good idea of whether the place is for you.

2. Look at the success stories of the university. In addition to searching for a reputed program, look for a university that has a higher concentration of people who are good at what you want to be.

3. Look for alumni. There is no one better to ask about student life than someone who was once a student. Write them an email listing your concerns and ask them if they could help you figure out if the university is suitable for you. Some universities encourage connections and interactions between alumni and newbies so much, they have a domain reserved for them (see: UofT Alumni).

Choosing a university can be an overwhelming decision. A lot of thought goes into it. And it’s ok to just stop for a minute, take a deep breathe and take a step back to look at the big picture. All of this will only help you get to where you want to be. Make your decision carefully and smartly for this is where you will spend 3- 5 years of your life. It’s a lot of pressure on one decision but don’t forget to have fun once you’re in. You deserve it.

If you have any tips, suggestions or questions, please email me at rueshi25@gmail.com. -Aarushi