Personal factors such as: whether you want a small community atmosphere which you can get with a small private college or do you want to be part of a large, expansive student body, if the size of the classes are important to you, what is the student body like – are they a young crowd or are they of a more mature age, is the status and prestige of the college important to you, are the programs offered exactly what you are looking for, and of course, can you afford to go there. These are important questions you need to ask yourself when choosing a college.
Just as important are the credentials of the college. Are they accredited? Is the school recognized in the province and do they meet provincial education requirements? In British Columbia there are two bodies that establish and track educational quality standards for colleges: EQA (Education Quality Assurance) and PTIB (Private Training Institutions Branch).
Are your credits transferable to university if you want to continue further? For instance, Eton College has agreements in place with Royal Roads University and Capilano University for students to transfer their credits towards a Bachelor’s Degree in select programs.
What are the admission requirements and can you meet them? Do they offer scholarships or awards or even student loans? What kind of student support to they have in place – while in school and after graduation? What is their graduation success rate? These questions will determine the credibility of the school and of your diploma or degree. It is also what employers look for when verifying your education.
If the school you decide on fits these requirements, you can be assured that you are getting a quality education that you can be proud of and that the career path you are on will be served best by it. Good luck in your search for the right college for you. It’s one of the smartest things you can do!
