Which US Region You Should Go To College in Based on Your Interests
Most high school students pursue their diplomas in the hope that it will get them into their dream schools so that they can pursue the jobs they’ve always wanted. Depending on the major that a high school student wants to pursue, they may try to spread their search throughout the United States to keep an open mind on the next step in their education. However, some parts of the U.S. are better suited for students based on what they’re studying or even just the scenery.
Where are you living now?
For some college applicants, looking for the right college involves staying close to home, while others may be fine with creating some distance between home and school. If you’re in San Francisco, don’t hesitate to look for the best college counselors in Bay Area. College counselors can guide prospective students through the application process, from obtaining transcripts to completing paperwork to get out to different schools to be considered for entry. Advisors can list out local options that allow students to commute or explore universities elsewhere that cater to their needs.
For some, campus life is a major part of the college application process. Whether it’s rallying every Saturday in the fall for a top-tiered college football team or just getting to explore a new city while working toward a degree, it’s all about the personal experience a student is seeking. If you’re more apt for big cities, schools in Southern California or the New York metropolitan area can be attractive options. If you prefer a little bit more of a small-town setting, schools through the Great Plains or Rocky Mountains might be more suitable.
What’s your planned major?
In certain cases, what you are looking to study in college can actually impact where you’ll want to conduct your college search. For example, a marine biology major would be more apt to apply to a school in a coastal region of the U.S. Once you begin the college quest, you don’t necessarily have to set your major, and you could also always change what you’re getting your bachelor’s degree in. If this is the case, some college advisors might recommend a community college to garner a better idea of where you wish to take your next step, getting an associate degree before pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
If you’re going into your freshman year of college knowing exactly what your goal is, you may want to look into the markets that have a proven retention rate within the industry you want to work. For example, if you want to go into the political field, you may be more apt to look for a school in the Delmarva area, closer to Washington, D.C., and the heart of politics in the United States. While the political realm is all across the U.S., there are more opportunities for internships and even jobs after school in those settings.
Are you okay with traveling after graduation?
Young people may end their high school career looking to leave town, but others may feel hesitant about uprooting after four years away from home. In some industries, it’s important to understand you’ll have to start small before reaching the big time. If you’re pursuing a communications degree, you may be required to move to smaller market regions across the U.S. before the opportunity arises in a metropolis.
If you don’t need a big city setting for your job, you may want to opt for dream schools with more of a mountain view or rural feel. This is not just an option for an agriculture major; it could be setting up for a different pace that you are looking for as you pursue the career that you’ve always wanted. These are all things to address with an advisor during the whole college application process to find the region of the U.S. that’s right for you.