Choosing the Right University: The Goldilocks Solution

When choosing a post-secondary school to attend it’s easy to feel bombarded and overwhelmed by the variety of choices. When we went to high school most of us didn’t have a choice – we just went where we were told. The school board, or perhaps our parents, made the decision. This is not the case for university. We as students have the responsibility and, therefore, we have the burden of choice. There are over 90 universities in Canada, and 25 in Ontario alone, and each one has a multitude of programs. The combination of programming and institutions can be daunting.

The best way to begin the selection process is first to understand that is it a very personal decision that requires an understanding of your own needs and wants. A university, like a good pair of jeans, needs to be a good fit. Begin by asking yourself some questions: Do you want a school that is close to home so you can visit frequently? Is there a certain province that appeals to you? Do you prefer small class sizes? Are you looking for a specific program only offered at certain universities? Do you want a school in an urban or town setting? How about a large or a small university? Of course some of these choices will be limited by finances and grades. Yet it is kind of like Goldilocks and the three bears: you want to find the one that isn't too hot or too cold but is just right!

Once you have done the mental groundwork, make yourself a checklist, itemizing the important things you are looking for. This will give you a means to compare schools and programs and to narrow down which one is the best fit for you. Make folders for each school, listing the program, the costs of tuition and residence, and finally a pros and cons list as well. By now you have narrowed the field even more and the next step is the campus visit. This is by far the best way to get a feel for the university and to determine if you see yourself there. If it is too far to visit check out the virtual tours offered by most university web sites to get a feel for the place.

As for me, I was looking for a specific program and I wished to stay relatively close to home and this helped narrow my choices. When I saw Brescia University College I knew it was ‘just right.’