College selection - Revision history

Vipul at 14:59, 28 April 2014

2014-04-28T14:59:06Z

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	* [[Choosing between a public college and a private college]]		* [[Choosing between a public college and a private college]]
	* [[Pros and cons of attending a large college]]		* [[Pros and cons of attending a large college]]

			Also related:

			* [[College: deciding whether to go]]

Vipul at 14:48, 28 April 2014

2014-04-28T14:48:49Z

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	* [[College selection: factors to consider]]: Upshot: prestige, flexibility for students, department-specific strengths, and cost are major factors to consider.		* [[College selection: factors to consider]]: Upshot: prestige, flexibility for students, department-specific strengths, and cost are major factors to consider.
	* [[Intracollege versus intercollege variation]]: Upshot: variation within colleges is often more significant than variation between colleges (among the colleges you have a realistic chance of getting into). This factor mitigates against worrying too much about getting into one speciifc college.		* [[Intracollege versus intercollege variation]]: Upshot: variation within colleges is often more significant than variation between colleges (among the colleges you have a realistic chance of getting into). This factor mitigates against worrying too much about getting into one speciifc college.

			Some more specialized pages:

			* [[College selection: deciding based on your intended major]]
			* [[Choosing between a public college and a private college]]
			* [[Pros and cons of attending a large college]]

Jsinick at 23:59, 26 February 2014

2014-02-26T23:59:00Z

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	* [[College selection: how it relates to the college application process]]: Upshot: College selection matters in terms of choosing what colleges to apply to in the first place (particularly if application fees are a cost hurdle), choosing how to tailor one's application materials to appeal to the specific college admissions officers, and choosing what college to select after getting admissions decisions. It becomes even more important for people using the Early Application.		* [[College selection: how it relates to the college application process]]: Upshot: College selection matters in terms of choosing what colleges to apply to in the first place (particularly if application fees are a cost hurdle), choosing how to tailor one's application materials to appeal to the specific college admissions officers, and choosing what college to select after getting admissions decisions. It becomes even more important for people using the Early Application.
	* [[College selection: getting reliable information about colleges]]: Upshot: it's hard, because of distortions. The best source of information appears to be [[http://www.collegeconfidential.com/ College Confidential]].		* [[College selection: getting reliable information about colleges]]: Upshot: it's hard, because of distortions. The best source of information appears to be [http://www.collegeconfidential.com/ College Confidential].
	* [[College selection: factors to consider]]: Upshot: prestige, flexibility for students, department-specific strengths, and cost are major factors to consider.		* [[College selection: factors to consider]]: Upshot: prestige, flexibility for students, department-specific strengths, and cost are major factors to consider.
	* [[Intracollege versus intercollege variation]]: Upshot: variation within colleges is often more significant than variation between colleges (among the colleges you have a realistic chance of getting into). This factor mitigates against worrying too much about getting into one speciifc college.		* [[Intracollege versus intercollege variation]]: Upshot: variation within colleges is often more significant than variation between colleges (among the colleges you have a realistic chance of getting into). This factor mitigates against worrying too much about getting into one speciifc college.

Jsinick at 23:56, 26 February 2014

2014-02-26T23:56:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:56, 26 February 2014
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	* [[College selection: how it relates to the college application process]]: Upshot: College selection matters in terms of choosing what colleges to apply to in the first place (particularly if application fees are a cost hurdle), choosing how to tailor one's application materials to appeal to the specific college admissions officers, and choosing what college to select after getting admissions decisions. It becomes even more important for people using the Early Application.		* [[College selection: how it relates to the college application process]]: Upshot: College selection matters in terms of choosing what colleges to apply to in the first place (particularly if application fees are a cost hurdle), choosing how to tailor one's application materials to appeal to the specific college admissions officers, and choosing what college to select after getting admissions decisions. It becomes even more important for people using the Early Application.
	* [[College selection: getting reliable information about colleges]]: Upshot: it's hard, because of distortions. The best source of information appears to be [[College Confidential]].		* [[College selection: getting reliable information about colleges]]: Upshot: it's hard, because of distortions. The best source of information appears to be [[http://www.collegeconfidential.com/ College Confidential]].
	* [[College selection: factors to consider]]: Upshot: prestige, flexibility for students, department-specific strengths, and cost are major factors to consider.		* [[College selection: factors to consider]]: Upshot: prestige, flexibility for students, department-specific strengths, and cost are major factors to consider.
	* [[Intracollege versus intercollege variation]]: Upshot: variation within colleges is often more significant than variation between colleges (among the colleges you have a realistic chance of getting into). This factor mitigates against worrying too much about getting into one speciifc college.		* [[Intracollege versus intercollege variation]]: Upshot: variation within colleges is often more significant than variation between colleges (among the colleges you have a realistic chance of getting into). This factor mitigates against worrying too much about getting into one speciifc college.

Vipul at 02:52, 25 November 2013

2013-11-25T02:52:01Z

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	Choosing a college can be a very difficult task for students. The links below help you navigate the process.		Choosing a college can be a very difficult task for students. The links below help you navigate the process.

	* [[College selection: how it relates to the college application process]] ~~(pending page).~~ Upshot: College selection matters in terms of choosing what colleges to apply to in the first place (particularly if application fees are a cost hurdle), choosing how to tailor one's application materials to appeal to the specific college admissions officers, and choosing what college to select after getting admissions decisions. It becomes even more important for people using the Early Application.		* [[College selection: how it relates to the college application process]]: Upshot: College selection matters in terms of choosing what colleges to apply to in the first place (particularly if application fees are a cost hurdle), choosing how to tailor one's application materials to appeal to the specific college admissions officers, and choosing what college to select after getting admissions decisions. It becomes even more important for people using the Early Application.
	* [[College selection: getting reliable information about colleges]]: Upshot: it's hard, because of distortions. The best source of information appears to be [[College Confidential]].		* [[College selection: getting reliable information about colleges]]: Upshot: it's hard, because of distortions. The best source of information appears to be [[College Confidential]].
	* [[College selection: factors to consider]]: Upshot: prestige, flexibility for students, department-specific strengths, and cost are major factors to consider.		* [[College selection: factors to consider]]: Upshot: prestige, flexibility for students, department-specific strengths, and cost are major factors to consider.
	* [[Intracollege versus intercollege variation]]: Upshot: variation within colleges is often more significant than variation between colleges (among the colleges you have a realistic chance of getting into). This factor mitigates against worrying too much about getting into one speciifc college.		* [[Intracollege versus intercollege variation]]: Upshot: variation within colleges is often more significant than variation between colleges (among the colleges you have a realistic chance of getting into). This factor mitigates against worrying too much about getting into one speciifc college.

Vipul at 02:18, 25 November 2013

2013-11-25T02:18:13Z

Show changes

Vipul: /* Key points */

2013-11-25T01:47:54Z

Key points

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	==Key points==		==Key points==

	* It's difficult to get good information about how different colleges compare.		* '''It's hard to get reliable information''': It's difficult to get good information about how different colleges compare.
	* You'll often have access to a diverse range of possible experiences within a given college. In this sense, differences between colleges are less significant than may meet the eye.		* '''It may matter less than you think''': You'll often have access to a diverse range of possible experiences within a given college. In this sense, differences between colleges are less significant than may meet the eye.
	* In general, the more prestigious a college is, the better opportunities you'll ~~find~~ there.
	* Some colleges offer students more freedom to shape their experience. The more freedom a college offers you, the better prospects you have for getting a lot out of the experience.		The following factors are worth taking into explicit consideration:
	* Colleges of a given prestige level vary substantially in how strong they are in a given academic subject. If you have a very strong and specific academic interest, you should do research to find out which colleges have the best departments in that field.
			* '''Prestige''': In general, the more prestigious a college is, the better the opportunities you'll have in life if you go there.
			* '''Flexibility for students''': Some colleges offer students more freedom to shape their experience. The more freedom a college offers you, the better prospects you have for getting a lot out of the experience.
			* '''Strength in a given academic subject''': Colleges of a given prestige level vary substantially in how strong they are in a given academic subject. If you have a very strong and specific academic interest, you should do research to find out which colleges have the best departments in that field.
			* '''Cost''': Colleges that offer very similar academic experiences can vary widely in cost for the student based on their prestige, location, and other factors.

	==Information about what a college is like is often unreliable==		==Information about what a college is like is often unreliable==

Vipul: /* More capable peer group */

2013-11-25T01:40:36Z

More capable peer group

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	Making connections with stronger students is also useful for networking later on in life, because stronger students tend to be in positions of greater influence later on than weaker students are.		Making connections with stronger students is also useful for networking later on in life, because stronger students tend to be in positions of greater influence later on than weaker students are.

	{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': Because [~~http://learntothrive.subwiki.org/wiki/College_selection~~#Differences_within_a_college_are_often_bigger_than_differences_between_colleges differences within a college are often bigger than differences between colleges], don't assume that going to a prestigious college will ''automatically'' give you a capable peer group, or that going to a less prestigious college will preclude the possibility of finding a capable peer group.}}		{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': Because [[#Differences_within_a_college_are_often_bigger_than_differences_between_colleges\|differences within a college are often bigger than differences between colleges]], don't assume that going to a prestigious college will ''automatically'' give you a capable peer group, or that going to a less prestigious college will preclude the possibility of finding a capable peer group.}}

	== Diverse colleges give you more options ==		== Diverse colleges give you more options ==

Vipul at 01:38, 25 November 2013

2013-11-25T01:38:58Z

Jsinick: /* Do detailed research if you have a very strong and specific interest */

2013-10-18T22:10:47Z

Do detailed research if you have a very strong and specific interest

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:10, 18 October 2013
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	If you're very passionate about a given field, to the point where you think that there's a very high probability of you studying it in college, you should do detailed research on which colleges are strongest in it. For example, you should ask several professors within the field about which colleges have the best departments.		If you're very passionate about a given field, to the point where you think that there's a very high probability of you studying it in college, you should do detailed research on which colleges are strongest in it. For example, you should ask several professors within the field about which colleges have the best departments.

			{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': Even people who are strongly interested in a given subject often change interests, especially early in life. You should give weight to the possibility that your interests will change substantially.}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:38, 25 November 2013
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	=== Key points ===		==Key points==

	* It's difficult to get good information about how different colleges compare.		* It's difficult to get good information about how different colleges compare.
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	* Colleges of a given prestige level vary substantially in how strong they are in a given academic subject. If you have a very strong and specific academic interest, you should do research to find out which colleges have the best departments in that field.		* Colleges of a given prestige level vary substantially in how strong they are in a given academic subject. If you have a very strong and specific academic interest, you should do research to find out which colleges have the best departments in that field.

	=== Information about what a college is like is often unreliable ===		==Information about what a college is like is often unreliable==

	You should heavily discount a lot of information that's out there about what a given college is like.		You should heavily discount a lot of information that's out there about what a given college is like.
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	Some reasons why information about what a given college is like is often misleading are:		Some reasons why information about what a given college is like is often misleading are:

	====Distortionary marketing====		===Distortionary marketing===

	A college's promotional materials and admissions officers are generally distortionary: they exaggerate the college's positive qualities while omitting discussion of its negative qualities.		A college's promotional materials and admissions officers are generally distortionary: they exaggerate the college's positive qualities while omitting discussion of its negative qualities.

	====Unreliable college guidebooks====		===Unreliable college guidebooks===

	The [http://www.amazon.com/The-Fiske-Guide-Colleges-2014/dp/1402260644 Fiske Guide to Colleges 2014] describes its methodology:		The [http://www.amazon.com/The-Fiske-Guide-Colleges-2014/dp/1402260644 Fiske Guide to Colleges 2014] describes its methodology:
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	College administrators are motivated to portray their universities favorably, and so one would expect them to recruit students who are most likely to say good things about their universities. So one can't trust the students' responses to be representative of what it's like to be a student at the college.		College administrators are motivated to portray their universities favorably, and so one would expect them to recruit students who are most likely to say good things about their universities. So one can't trust the students' responses to be representative of what it's like to be a student at the college.

	====Current students and alumni being biased in favor of their schools====		===Current students and alumni being biased in favor of their schools===

	After somebody makes a choice, he or she generally wants to believe that he or she made the right choice. So people who have chosen to attend a college will often exaggerate its virtues and minimize its negative qualities.		After somebody makes a choice, he or she generally wants to believe that he or she made the right choice. So people who have chosen to attend a college will often exaggerate its virtues and minimize its negative qualities.

	====Sour grapes====		===Sour grapes===

	People who are rejected from a given college, or who don't apply because they know they can't get in, will sometimes have a "sour grapes" reaction, and be motivated to believe that the college isn't so good.		People who are rejected from a given college, or who don't apply because they know they can't get in, will sometimes have a "sour grapes" reaction, and be motivated to believe that the college isn't so good.

	=== Differences within a college are often bigger than differences between colleges ===		== Differences within a college are often bigger than differences between colleges ==

	* Different academic subjects can have very different flavors, and open up different options to you. What you choose to major in can have a bigger impact on your life than what college you attend.		* Different academic subjects can have very different flavors, and open up different options to you. What you choose to major in can have a bigger impact on your life than what college you attend.
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	* If you attend a college with 5,000+ students, there will be many different kinds of students, and your social experience will depend heavily on which of them you spend time with.		* If you attend a college with 5,000+ students, there will be many different kinds of students, and your social experience will depend heavily on which of them you spend time with.

	=== The prestige of the college that you attend matters ===		== The prestige of the college that you attend matters ==

	Some people say that you shouldn't worry too much about where you go to college, because it won't matter later on in life. While it's true that where you went to college tends to matter less the longer you've been out of college, it still has an impact on your life trajectory: the opportunities that are available to you early in life affect the opportunities that are available to you later on in life, and more prestigious colleges generally give you better opportunities than less prestigious colleges do.		Some people say that you shouldn't worry too much about where you go to college, because it won't matter later on in life. While it's true that where you went to college tends to matter less the longer you've been out of college, it still has an impact on your life trajectory: the opportunities that are available to you early in life affect the opportunities that are available to you later on in life, and more prestigious colleges generally give you better opportunities than less prestigious colleges do.
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	Some advantages of going to a prestigious college are:		Some advantages of going to a prestigious college are:

	==== Higher earnings ====		=== Higher earnings ===

	[http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Salaries_for_Colleges_by_Type-sort.html Data] show that mid-career annual earnings of UC Riverside graduates ~ $81k/year and of UC Berkeley graduates ~ $112k/year. UC Berkeley is generally considered the most prestigious University of California college, and UC Riverside among the least prestigious University of California colleges. This suggests that going to a more prestigious college increases your expected earnings.		[http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-Salaries_for_Colleges_by_Type-sort.html Data] show that mid-career annual earnings of UC Riverside graduates ~ $81k/year and of UC Berkeley graduates ~ $112k/year. UC Berkeley is generally considered the most prestigious University of California college, and UC Riverside among the least prestigious University of California colleges. This suggests that going to a more prestigious college increases your expected earnings.
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	{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': Some people overvalue money and some people undervalue money. On one hand, a lot of people spend money on luxury goods that don't improve their lives, and could be just as happy with less. On the other hand, money can be used for many things, and even if you're not materialistic, you may care about ''some'' of the things that money can buy. Before making life choices based on financial considerations, you should develop a realistic sense for how much it costs to lead different kinds of life styles. We lay out some of the relevant considerations on our page about [[earnings]].}}		{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': Some people overvalue money and some people undervalue money. On one hand, a lot of people spend money on luxury goods that don't improve their lives, and could be just as happy with less. On the other hand, money can be used for many things, and even if you're not materialistic, you may care about ''some'' of the things that money can buy. Before making life choices based on financial considerations, you should develop a realistic sense for how much it costs to lead different kinds of life styles. We lay out some of the relevant considerations on our page about [[earnings]].}}

	==== More capable peer group ====		=== More capable peer group ===

	Going to a more prestigious college exposes you to stronger students. [http://www.benkuhn.net/ Ben Kuhn] at Harvard [http://lesswrong.com/lw/ikh/course_selection_based_on_instructor/9pv5 describes] advantages of being in a peer group with stronger students:		Going to a more prestigious college exposes you to stronger students. [http://www.benkuhn.net/ Ben Kuhn] at Harvard [http://lesswrong.com/lw/ikh/course_selection_based_on_instructor/9pv5 describes] advantages of being in a peer group with stronger students:
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	{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': Because [http://learntothrive.subwiki.org/wiki/College_selection#Differences_within_a_college_are_often_bigger_than_differences_between_colleges differences within a college are often bigger than differences between colleges], don't assume that going to a prestigious college will ''automatically'' give you a capable peer group, or that going to a less prestigious college will preclude the possibility of finding a capable peer group.}}		{{quotation\|'''KEEP IN MIND''': Because [http://learntothrive.subwiki.org/wiki/College_selection#Differences_within_a_college_are_often_bigger_than_differences_between_colleges differences within a college are often bigger than differences between colleges], don't assume that going to a prestigious college will ''automatically'' give you a capable peer group, or that going to a less prestigious college will preclude the possibility of finding a capable peer group.}}

	=== Diverse colleges give you more options ===		== Diverse colleges give you more options ==

	Some colleges give you more flexibility with respect to the classes that you take, the classmates you spend time with, and the faculty who you interact with. The more flexibility you have, the more potential you have to make the most out of your college years. Of course, the effect that this will have on your experience depends on your ability to use the flexibility to your advantage.		Some colleges give you more flexibility with respect to the classes that you take, the classmates you spend time with, and the faculty who you interact with. The more flexibility you have, the more potential you have to make the most out of your college years. Of course, the effect that this will have on your experience depends on your ability to use the flexibility to your advantage.
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	Some ways in which colleges differ in the flexibility that they offer are:		Some ways in which colleges differ in the flexibility that they offer are:

	====Core requirements====		===Core requirements===

	Some colleges have more required courses than others. For example, Brown University is known for its "open curriculum," and [http://www.brown.edu/academics/college/degree/curriculum has very few requirements]:		Some colleges have more required courses than others. For example, Brown University is known for its "open curriculum," and [http://www.brown.edu/academics/college/degree/curriculum has very few requirements]:
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	Some colleges that require many courses are excellent choices for a given person: the "core requirements" consideration should be weighed against other considerations.		Some colleges that require many courses are excellent choices for a given person: the "core requirements" consideration should be weighed against other considerations.

	====College size====		===College size===

	The larger a college, the larger the pool of students and professors who you have access to. Attending a large college can improve your prospects of finding your "niche" within the college. For example, if you're an international student and would like to spend time with people from your country, going to a larger college will generally improve your prospects for doing so.		The larger a college, the larger the pool of students and professors who you have access to. Attending a large college can improve your prospects of finding your "niche" within the college. For example, if you're an international student and would like to spend time with people from your country, going to a larger college will generally improve your prospects for doing so.
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	=== Do detailed research if you have a very strong and specific interest ===		== Do detailed research if you have a very strong and specific interest ==

	In a given academic subject, colleges of the same general prestige level can vary substantially in quality. For example, George Mason University's economics department is stronger than economics departments at most colleges of a similar level of prestige. See [http://lesswrong.com/lw/is6/choosing_universities_based_on_their/ this blog post] for more information.		In a given academic subject, colleges of the same general prestige level can vary substantially in quality. For example, George Mason University's economics department is stronger than economics departments at most colleges of a similar level of prestige. See [http://lesswrong.com/lw/is6/choosing_universities_based_on_their/ this blog post] for more information.