“Don’t try to match yourself to a university, rather try to pick a university that matches you. ”
Choosing a college is both exciting and overwhelming! There are many colleges that have a lot to offer, but how will you find the right one for you?

We have gathered 10 key factors that can help you evaluate the universities that suites you the most:
1. Programme of studies

When you know your field of studies the next step is to see which country is best to choose. For example, when you are interested in language studies, the best you can do is to study it in the country, this particular language is spoken. This will be a great advantage for you since you will learn to speak like a person, who lives there, and you have the chance to practice and improve yourself every day.
2. Accreditation

Accreditation is another important factor to applicants who intend to attend graduate school, especially those who will need to obtain advanced degrees in medicine, law and education as well as applicants whose financial aid requires that they attend an accredited school.
3. Course content

When weighing up courses, it’s essential to review the course content closely – similar sounding courses might actually cover quite different topic areas. Dig into the course detail using the university website or even by speaking to tutors on open days –

What are the core and optional modules on offer? Do they sound appealing?

If the course content really interests you, then there’s a good chance you will enjoy studying the course for the next few years.
4. Location

A college’s location can really matter. If you intend to live at home and commute to college, you will want to attend a campus that is located nearby. For those who would like to go away to a college, you must get a feel for the college and surrounding area. Are you a city dweller or more relaxed in the country? Also, when choosing a campus, consider companies based nearby, as they may be valuable source of summer internships and future job offers.
5. Cost

Cost is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a college, and you will need to determine how much tuition you can afford to pay prior to selecting a school. The cost between public and private universities has risen considerably in recent years.
6. Financial Aid Opportunities

Although the cost of higher education has risen dramatically, so have financial aid opportunities. Financial aid can be in the form of a federal or a state grant or a federal student loan. Schools will typically publish on the percentage of currently enrolled students who have received financial aid, as well as the average amount awarded. This data can be useful way to estimate your own potential for earning financial aid if you choose to attend that particular institution.

7. Admissions Criteria

The admissions criteria of most schools will typically involve a minimum GPA, prerequisites course requirements and standardized test scores. Information about a school’s admission criteria can typically be found on the school’s website. Schools will often post the average GPA and test scores of previously admitted students, which is a good way to measure your own chances of getting accepted.