Schools and Alumni Research Guide

Finding school performance data and information on past alumni can be very difficult. But it is getting much easier through new services on the internet. Many people who are preparing to apply to a school want to know school ranking data, alumni satisfaction rates, and much more. Some of the most important things to look for that some people skip over is the employment rates of recent graduates, average salaries of graduates, and the percentage of graduates who went on to do further schooling (and where they got accepted). Some find this process to be very overwhelming because there are services that now handle each individual aspect of school information, and other larger companies try to handle it all. Many students just apply to the best possible schools (in academic terms) without considering student life and other issues. In order to make sure that you enjoy your school experience, it is important to make other considerations.

If you are researching schools, here are some things you should check:

School size: The size of a school can have a profound impact on those who attend. Schools come in all sizes from less than 100 students to more than 30,000. Both have advantages and disadvantages. An advantage of smaller schools is students tend to receive more attention and help from teachers. A disadvantage of smaller schools (especially colleges) is that they tend to be less broadly known or acknowledged which means less recruiters and sometimes less value to a degree. At larger schools, students tend to just be a number and are usually unable to seek one-on-one help from professors. But larger schools can attract more recruiters and more degree value for job seekers.

Distance from Home: The distance from home is very important for people of all ages who are looking for a school to attend. Parents who are considering schools for their children should take this very seriously. Boarding schools can have a profound impact on kids and young adults and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Most teens thinking about college usually want to move a long distance away to get out on their own. This can cause homesickness, financial strain, less home visits, and more issues that should be considered.

School programs: For school seekers who are looking to specialize in a specific field (which should be almost everyone), applicants should look at test score performance, alumni job history, and what recruiters come to the campus looking for employees. They should also look for what majors are offered and what the requirements are for receiving a degree. For young kids, parents usually consider music and art programs in elementary and middle schools.

Cost and Scholarships: The price of good schooling has become extreme these days and in many cases outrageous. But in general, the higher the cost of tuition, the more value of the degree. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the education is not as good at less expensive schools, but the degree might not look as good on resumes. Many schools offer scholarships that you may be eligible to receive which is worth looking into as well.

Location and Activities: Where a school is located is also a major factor. Some schools are situated in major cities and others are out in the middle of nowhere. The colleges in major urban areas tend to have more entertainment and dining choices in proximity of the campus, but that also means that no one is usually on campus. The schools in obscure areas have less to do around them but that means more student life and more participation in the activities offered by the school itself.

Student Demographics: The diversity of a school’s student body is very important to the whole educational experience. Schools with more diversity can offer a rich experience because the students not only learn a lot from teachers, but they also can learn a large amount from each other. It is best to look for schools that are well balanced between genders and ethnic backgrounds.

Sports and Athletic Programs: If you are looking to get into sports it is important to investigate a potential school’s athletic programs. You should look at how many teams they have, what division they are a part of, and what percentage of students who try out get accepted. For parents who are trying to get their kids involved in sports, they should also look into the various sports activities that elementary schools offer.

Do not just apply to one school, explore all your options and make sure you have back-up plans in case certain schools do not work out. Before you settle on any school, it is important to actually visit the campus and meet some of the faculty. It might even be a good idea to sit through an assembly or activity just to get a feel for what the student life will be like.