The move from high school to college is a really big deal — but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Knowing the basics will help you get ready. To make the process of finding the right school a little less stressful, here are six key things to consider in your search.
1. Outcomes
An education must be a smart investment in your future — and one that pays you back. Look beyond cost and consider the outcomes. Student loans are manageable (and often less costly per month than mandatory state tax withholding) when you have an outstanding resume to build on and lock in a high starting salary.
Gather data and compare placement rates within six months of graduation, median early career pay and return on investment. Ask about on-campus career fairs and the companies that visit campus to recruit students — for full-time jobs as well as co-ops and internships. How you're able to distinguish yourself during college often adds to your success after graduation.
"Gerdau views the students of MTU as having a level of dedication and fortitude that isn't easily found. Combine those values with the approach that MTU takes with its hands-on labs, highly educated professors, diversity initiatives and abundant leadership opportunities through project work and student organizations? Those are the reasons Gerdau is one of hundreds of employers that make the trek to the UP every year."
Amazon, IKEA, General Motors, Kimberly Clark, Los Alamos National Laboratory and more than 200 other companies and organizations make Michigan Tech a recruiting destination for our spring Career Fair. They know the talent tomorrow needs can be found at Michigan's flagship technological university.
See how Michigan Tech pays you back.
Get to Know Michigan Tech
Learn more about our academic and student life opportunities.
2. Class Size
A university's average class size is important. Too big and you are just a number. Too small and you may not have access to the opportunities you'll need to get ahead. Find a close-knit campus where you can learn — a place that provides opportunities to stand out on campus, so your education lets you stand out in the workplace.
You'll have some larger lectures at Tech, but the average class size is 25 and our student-to-faculty ratio is 13 to 1. You'll know professors and they'll know you by name. Ask questions and engage in discussions. Get more out of your classroom experience.
3. Support
It's a fact. College is hard. To be successful, it's critical that you maintain your health and overall well-being as you navigate your college experience. It's okay to ask for help — from academic support to mental health and disability services. Be sure to review the resources and programming available on campus (or while working or taking classes remotely) to help you be well and thrive physically, mentally and academically.
Support resources to consider:
- The college transition
- Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success
- Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being
- Student Support and Health Services
- Student Disability Services
- Center for Diversity and Inclusion
- Academic Support
- Campus Safety Information and Resources
- The Michigan Tech Safe Place Program
4. Safety
On-campus safety and policy are major factors when considering a school — and so is the safety of the surrounding area. The greater community is directly connected to a university. What kinds of safety resources does a school have in place? Knowing the school's policies and procedures concerning student safety can be useful in deciding whether or not it is the best fit.
Michigan Tech is proud be ranked as the safest public university in Michigan by Niche.com.
5. Location
Location plays a major role in your college experience and it's important to consider a school's city, town and community. Do you want to see city lights or the northern lights? The way the community interacts with the college — and its students — is also important. Finally, consider the location's opportunities to expand your interests and explore new activities and hobbies.
"The campus is located on Michigan's most beautiful playground — the Upper Peninsula — and borders the Keweenaw Waterway, which connects to Lake Superior. Huskies spend a lot of time outside exploring, skiing, swimming, hiking, biking and even dogsledding."
Get Involved
When you're not busy being smart and hitting the books, you'll find tons of ways to get involved at Michigan Tech.
6. Fit
How you feel at a school is perhaps the most important factor in your decision. The excitement of game day fades, so make sure your day-to-day experience is truly rich and rewarding.
Make time for a campus tour so you can walk around the campus. Watch how students interact with each other and consider if the atmosphere seems more collaborative or competitive. Schedule a time to talk with a professor or academic advisor for your intended major. Ask students what they like — and don't like — about their school. Look for student organizations and activities you might like to join. Find a place where you feel a sense of belonging — where you'll be an integral part of the community and can explore and grow with others who will support you.
Most importantly, look for things that matter to you most and trust your gut. If it feels right, you'll be that much happier at your new college home.
Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.
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