As students and parents explore the many college options, they use a variety of factors and information to select the college that seems right for their needs and goals. Unfortunately, it is the University’s Public Relations Department that provides most of that information. However, there are many additional factors that must be considered when they are important to student success.

1. Job Search Preparation – Does the university offer and explain exactly what students can do to become more attractive to potential employers? (Not just grades, but also books, websites, coaching, interviewing and résumé preparation, conferences, employer tours, campus activities, alumni meetings in the field, internships and part-time jobs that lead to significant achievement, Successes, Experiences, Examples, and Stories for Student Summaries and Interviews Each year of college should include activities that lead to job success.)

2. Employment opportunities – During the last year, is the university doing things that will increase the student’s chances of job success? (Invite employers who are interested in students in each major to conduct interviews on campus? How many actually come for each major? Do you suggest job websites that post jobs for students in each major? Do you expect everyone to in the college community { on and off campus, including parents, current and former students, and employees} to help identify a long list of employment opportunities for students in each major?)

Note: Colleges that delegate all of this responsibility to Career Services alone may not care as much about the career success of all students in all majors.

3. suitable for students – Being friendly to students involves another set of factors that students and parents need to consider.

a) The website of the school: Is the website of the university comprehensive, detailed, easy to navigate and requires little effort to obtain the desired useful information, including names, titles, locations, descriptions of services, email addresses? and phone numbers? (You can verify this from home by searching: Departments associated with a major, the Bookstore, Library, Career Services, Student Newspaper, Radio and TV Station, and Medical Department.)

b) Faculty, staff, and administrators: Be available, courteous, and helpful (student affairs, financial aid, career services, etc.) What are current students saying?

4. Graduation – What percentage of students graduate in four years? Do college seniors find that the courses they need are readily available, so they can graduate in four years, not four and a half years or more?

5. university leaders – Do university leaders make themselves available to students and demonstrate understanding and concern for student problems?

Do university leaders attend campus events, talk to students, listen to complaints, and try to do something about it?

6. Security and crime on campus – Since crime takes place on and off each campus, colleges need to make crime data, statistics, and dangerous locations known to students and parents. Does the university report sexual assaults and crimes that take place on campus?

A. Information and Training – Are students provided with training in security, crime prevention, and personal protection? Are students told who can help them, how they can get help and where they can get help, if they are robbed, assaulted, drugged or raped, etc.? During the new student orientation process, are all students aware of the penalties for committing a crime on campus?

b. Off Campus – How safe is the local community? Does the university work with local shopping areas, parks, theaters, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs to help ensure student safety? Are the students aware of the dangerous areas of the city?

Against On Campus: On all campuses there will be assaults including sexual assaults, drug use and trafficking, theft of property including money, jewelry, electronics and cars, and information theft for identity theft. How does the university work to keep students safe? Prevention should be an important part of the university’s efforts. What security measures are in place to prevent muggings on campus? Are there a lot of lights, phone booths and escorts?

d. Bedrooms: Since bedroom safety is critical, are there smoke detectors, sprinklers, fire extinguishers, fire hoses, and intercom systems in the bedrooms? What about a variety of escape routes? How often intruders and unauthorized visitors are found in bedrooms and places where they don’t belong. Are the entrances to the bedrooms protected and secure?

my. Sanctions – Is the university hard or soft on crime? Look for examples of the information that is communicated to students, the training that is conducted, and the penalties that are imposed for violations.

7. Facilities – Do the Dormitories, Parking, Classrooms, Laboratories, Cafeteria, Bookstore and Library meet the expected standards? A. Consider the size of the room, the heating and air conditioning in the dormitory, as well as the location, the distance from the classrooms, the cleanliness of the bathrooms and the showers in the dormitories. If the dorms are mixed, how is that handled?

b. Is there enough parking? How far? Are the parking lots safe and secure?

against Are the classrooms modern and of a size that promotes learning? Will students be able to see, hear and participate?

d. Do the labs contain the up-to-date equipment that potential employers expect the student to use?

my. Consideration must be given to the quality and variety of food offered to students. Are there other nearby food outlets available for students? Are the meal plans flexible?

F. Is the Campus Library an online bookstore? How convenient will it be for students who need staples, pens, highlighters, and other small items that often run out?

gram. Is the Library an online library? How well will this meet students’ needs for quiet study and research areas? How do students get help when they need it?

8. Current Student Opinions – After the campus tour ends, wise students and parents should revisit the dormitories, cafeteria, library, gym, bookstore, courtyard, classrooms, and hallways to talk with current students about the things that worry them. This may be the best way to get less biased opinions.

All of these factors come into play, as students will have different needs and experiences. However, the best decisions will be made when useful and credible information is obtained and evaluated.