BackToLearn.com - Helping adults find the best college

March 9, 2010 at 8:55 am — by Laura | No Comments
Category: Blog, Choosing a College

Most of the staff here at BackToLearn.com attended state schools for college. None of us have an advanced degree. And yet, we’re all pretty successful!

So when you’re looking at colleges, don’t fixate on the prestige of the college name.

High school students particularly focus on the brand name of the college. They don’t want to have to explain to family and friends why they’ve chosen a particular school or major, or what they’re going to do with their degree afterwards.

They just want people to “get it.”

As an adult learner, you, too, want people to just “get it.” You don’t want to have to explain why you chose a particular program, nor why you chose a particular college.

But that doesn’t mean you must attend a national university or prestigious college.

Take a minute and think of the people you meet on a regular basis. How many of them went to an Ivy League college? How many of them went to a college you’ve even heard of? Better yet, how many people do you meet and never even learn which college they attended?

Exactly.

Instead of focusing on the name of a college, consider these other questions:
- Will the credential help you further your career?
- How will you manage childcare while attending classes?
- What kind of online course or degree programs are available in the field?
- How will you pay back the debt you might incur?
- What is your ultimate goal in earning a degree?
- What is the best college choice for you?

Remember, it’s not where you get your degree that counts; it’s what you do with it. And that goes for high school students and adult learners alike!