Choosing The Right School For You

Not all for-profit universities are misleading students, and in spite of the negative attention they have been receiving, there are still good schools out there. If you are considering going back to school, there are a few steps you can take to be sure that you are making the best decision for yourself and your financial future.

Here are some tips to help you pick the right school-

• There is no rush to pick a school- Even though the advertisements may tell you that you have to act now, there is no time to waste, this isn't true. This is your future you are thinking about, so you have to take the time and do the research to be sure that you are making the right choice for you. Don't rush into anything. If the advisors you are talking to are employing high pressure sales tactics, take a step back. Think of it like working with a car salesman, they are trying to get you to make the deal. Your job is to make sure that it is going to be the right deal for you. Check out this report by the Federal Trade Commission on Choosing a Career or Technical School. Also take a look at the US Department of Education's Guide for Career college or training school.

• Research your career options- Before you make any sort of career decision, it is important to find out what career fields will offer you the best opportunities. Don't base your future on a commercial you saw on tv, only you know what sort of skills you have and where your interest lie. You can do this by visiting O'net online, which offers some great career advice and help with career planning. Also, take a look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics Career Guide to Industry, which will give you information what people really make in different career fields.

• Select a College- Don't just pick the one you see most in advertisments. Identify three of four schools that offer the courses you need for the career path you have chosen. It is a good idea to look at your local community college to find out if they offer a major in your field. Think realistically about what amount of time you have to devote to your education and find out which school offers the best plan for you.

• What is the cost?- This is a big question. You need to find out how much you will be spending in order to complete your degree. Whether you chose a for-profit university, a community college, a public four year university, a trade school or a private college, you need to get hard numbers to determine what is right for you. It is easy to get lured in with the promises of easy student loans, but keep in mind that you will have to pay these back as soon as you either graduate or are no longer enrolled in the school.

There are many options for continuing your education, and it is important to do your homework in order to not end up in a situation where you are paying for an education that you can't use. Take the time to think about your goals, what you are able to give to meet them and make a decision that is going to be right for you. Getting a degree can change your life for the better if you find the program that will work for you.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supportingher local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.