The Quest for the Right School

One of the biggest decisions a person can make in their life is whether or not to get a post-secondary education. The answer to this question will affect their short-term and long-term income, availability of leisure time, and career options. It is for this reason that choosing the right program and school is so important.

Researching the field you wish to enter should be the first step, as information about the required skills and the trends in the field will give an idea as to which programs should be considered.

The next step is to make a list of schools and programs that teach these necessary skills, and see which are recognized by professionals in that field.

Once you have a list of programs of interest (and after factoring in criteria such as geographic location, the size of the school, and general admissions policies and procedures), it’s time to look at the details of the individual programs.

- What is the ratio of students to instructors?
- What percentage of students graduate?
- What is the retention rate of students?
- What sort of academic support is available?
- Are there resources to assist graduating students with finding a job? What kind of jobs do graduates obtain?
- Is there any exposure during the program to field-related associations or major employers in the field?
- Is there a strong alumni network associated with the program?

For information about the programs offered at Seneca College, visit www.senecacollege.ca.