Road to a top college: Majors to consider for future success

Today’s college search process requires students to consider several factors as they select the best fit for themselves.The age-old considerations are campus size, location, academic and cultural fit, and cost.The regional strength of an academic institution should be another top-of-mind concern, especially when looking ahead to the job market,  said Gabe Cramer, managing director of mentoring at college admissions consulting firm, Command Education. For example, “If you’re going to a school in Boston, there’s tremendous competition among Northeastern, Harvard, MIT and Boston University, to name a few, [looking] for job opportunities in the area, which are likely to go to graduates from the more prestigious schools here,” he said. As you edit down your wish list of schools, it’s also worth investigating what the undergraduate lab and research opportunities are like.

“Are they accessible and plentiful? Some schools are unbelievable research engines, but it may be difficult for undergraduates to secure such opportunities,” said Cramer.Finally, as you go on campus visits and speak to regional admissions officers, “Trust your gut.There’s no science behind it, but your instincts are often correct.

Whether you have a strong positive or negative reaction, it tends to be true.You’re the one going there.

Even with all of the advice you take in, it’s you spending the next four years or more of your life there.You will also spend a ton of time NOT in class, since it’s not an 8 a.m.

to 3 p.m.schedule anymore.

Your out-of-class time will influence your experience, too,” said Cramer.“You have to feel comfortable with that.”Taking such due diligence a step further, savvy students should investigate curriculum and degree offerings at their top pick higher institutions of interest.

Their differences may be the determining factor in deciding where to enroll. Additionally, career services offerings are still major considerations, according to...