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Picking the Right University

© Heather Ringrose

Picking the Right University It is prime time for university applicants to be applying to schools and for scholarships. For many, this is one of the hardest and most challenging times of their lives. This is especially true for gifted and talented teens who have a multitude of likings and options. It really helps to have a good guidance councillor who will help in the process and who knows about various programs. You want to pick the right university that is perfect for you, so that you are happy at school.

The size of the university is a consideration for many students. If you come from a small town, you probably want a smaller university where you will not be lost in the crowd. In my own university research, I have found a lot of pros and a few cons to small universities. Pro: The classes are small, you know your profs, you can easily get involved in teams, and the smaller universities usually aren’t stuck in sprawling urban centers. Con: There is less diversity and fewer courses offered. Fewer courses are especially undesirable for bright teens. They need courses that cater to their talents. As well, they need to be with others that have the same interests as them. The smaller university will always offer Biology, but what about Bio-medical Sciences or Biophysics?

Smart students will research their choices and decide what is best for them. They must be wary of ads and things like Maclean's Rankings, because they can be misleading. They should not ask others what they should do, because it is their own life. Parents should not tell them what to do at all. This is a decision that the individuals must make themselves.

It is smart to apply to several universities now, so you still have time to think them over. You will not have to make your final decision until the spring when the universities reply. Until then you can consider things like:

Residence- Do they only have double rooms and you want your own?

Meal plan- If you live in Canada check out www.sympatico.ca and go to University Bound. They have an excellent section with reviews of Canadian Universities by students. Meal plans are discussed there.

Entrance Scholarships- Some universities offer a lot of money to people with certain averages, while others do not. Also check out the scholarships which require applications.

Future Careers- If you want to be a teacher, for example, don’t take undergraduate studies in a subject that you can’t teach. You may want to consider concurrent education.

The copyright of the article Picking the Right University in Gifted Teens is owned by Heather Ringrose. Permission to republish Picking the Right University in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.