It is very important that you consider the right factors in deciding where you will send applications. You might begin by asking these questions:
What kind of degree is appropriate for my interests and goals?
- Bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Arts or Science)
- Associate’s degree (Associate of Arts or Applied Science)
What kind of school interests me?
- public or private
- community college, four-year college or university
- historically black
- all students of the same sex or coed
- religious affiliation
- military academy
Where do I want to live?
- urban, suburban or rural
- live at home and commute
- move away from home and live on campus
Can I get in?
- Admission to Mississippi’s eight public universities is guaranteed with the successful completion of the college prep curriculum with specific GPA and test score requirements
- Community colleges offer open admission to any high school graduate or GED recipient
- Nationwide, 70% of high school seniors are accepted at their first-choice schools
- Find the middle 50% range for ACT and SAT scores of incoming students
What is the annual cost of attendance, including room and board?
- Do not choose what school to attend based on its cost.
- Inquire about the availability of financial aid and scholarships
- Ask what percentage of their students receive financial aid
- Ask what percentage receive merit based scholarships
What majors does the school offer and for what academic programs are they known?
- Learn about job placement rates in your areas of interest
- Find out the acceptance rate into medical school, law school, and graduate school
- Inquire what graduates are doing 5 and 10 years out and more
How large is the student body?
- Find out the student to faculty ratio
- Ask what the average class size is
- Find out how many students live on campus and what percentage of students are from in-state and out-of-state
- Ask how many states and foreign countries are represented
- Ask what percentage of students are minorities
What special opportunities are available at the school for me?
- honors program
- special services for students with learning disabilities or physical disabilities
- athletic participation at varsity/NCAA level
- study abroad programs
- student organizations and clubs
- fraternities and sororities
- internship programs
Have you made a campus visit?
The best visit may include:
- meeting your admission counselor
- taking a campus tour
- sitting in on a class
- having lunch with current students
-
meeting faculty or staff that teach or work in your interest areas
