| Not all colleges are created equal and, just as with | | | | genuine education? There are many levels of |
| people, every college earns a reputation, whether | | | | accreditation, and each determines whether the |
| good, bad, or somewhere in between. Now consider | | | | institution is a university or simply a college. It also |
| that once you earn a degree from a college, its | | | | factors into the availability of a major in the subject |
| reputation will be associated with you for the rest of | | | | you want, because a school must be accredited for |
| your life. Every employer will see the name of the | | | | each major. Even though its administration may claim |
| college or university you attended on your resume. | | | | to offer a "course of study" in your chosen field, it |
| Consequently, below are a few reputation-related | | | | may not have the accreditation needed to offer that |
| considerations you should weigh prior to making a | | | | field of study as a recognized major. |
| commitment to attend. | | | | How to Evaluate a College's Reputation |
| Famous or Infamous | | | | Evaluating a school's reputation is more an art than |
| Is the name of your school instantly recognizable? If | | | | science. Ask older people you know what they think |
| so, it is either famous or infamous. Of the two, being | | | | of the college and what it is best known for - then |
| famous is the only one better than being unknown. If | | | | research what they tell you to ensure the accuracy |
| a college has a bad reputation, it may in fact reflect | | | | of those comments. Speak with the school's own |
| on you. Schools that are famous can be a huge | | | | representatives about your questions or concerns, |
| benefit to graduates; one that no one has heard of | | | | but don't necessarily embrace all you are told |
| won't hurt, but a school with a bad scholastic | | | | because they have incentive to position the school as |
| reputation should be avoided. | | | | positively as possible. Additionally, simply try |
| Specialization | | | | researching the college via an Internet search engine |
| Some colleges are only well known for one course of | | | | to see what intriguing information pops up. |
| study. This means it may have a bland, or even | | | | A school's reputation is perhaps the most important |
| negative, reputation for other majors, while | | | | factor to consider when weighing the impact of your |
| brandishing a great name in the area of your interest. | | | | college on your future. If an employer believes you |
| If you are confident that the one specialty is for | | | | attended one that likely did not adequately prepare |
| you, these schools are a great choice. Just make | | | | you for the job under consideration, it doesn't much |
| sure you do not end up at one of them studying | | | | matter in that situation whether you loved it and |
| outside their specialty. | | | | received a great education - it could still reflect poorly |
| Accreditation | | | | on you. Instead, you want the name of your school |
| This may be more crucial than any other factor. Is | | | | to help garner instant respect and admiration. |
| your college actually qualified to provide you a | | | | |