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DEARTH of good institutions for undergraduate study makes the decision even more difficult. With just a handful of top-quality institutions and limited seats, more often than not it is colleges that choose the students rather than the other way round. So one of the most difficult decisions facing a student leaving school is often, not which college should I go to, but rather, should it be a college or course? Going to college is much more than just preparing yourself for a career. Keep in mind that the three-four years you spend in college studying for a bachelor's degree in arts, commerce or science are also important milestones in your growth and development as a person. College is where you get your first brush with the real world. So, all the more reason that your choice must be an informed one. Assess yourself and your interests. You may know what you want, but do you know what you're good at? Interest and aptitude are two different things. Ideally, your choice of career should match both these factors. Once you are clear about your career direction, you can formulate your own criteria for selection - whether course or college. y If the choice of subject for study is important then search for colleges that offer the right courses and facilities needed for the specialisation you want to take up, with up-to-date labs, computers and other facilities. Often the best option for the undecided is to take up graduation in an arts, commerce or science subject of your choice which may be a good base for further study. A science student not sure of a future career choice can consider a BSc in any of the physical or life sciences, which could lead to further studies in a specialised field. For arts and commerce students a general BA may also fit the bill while you plan for a future post-graduate vocational/ professional degree or diploma in a range of career-oriented courses such as mass communication, interior decoration, hospitality management, retail, jewellery design, and so on. y Often the final choice is based on the cut-off percentage for each college and subject course. If your scores aren't high enough to make it to the second or third cut-off list, you can count on points from ex-curricular activities, if valid. In case you are unable to obtain admission in any of the colleges of your choice, get admission in the next best college and consider switching a year later. But remember you will need to have good grades to make the move up. y It is always advisable to apply to at least five to six colleges and at least two or three subject options. Of these, at least one should be a fall back option, where you can be sure of the admission. Try to visit each of your shortlisted colleges. Attending college open days will give you the opportunity to tour the campus, see the classrooms and lecture halls, sporting facilities, hostel accommodation etc. You may even be able to meet the lecturers and students and ask questions about the college, the various clubs and activities on offer and the destination of graduates from that institute. Walking around the college campus can also give you a feel of the general atmosphere prevailing there, and enable you to get a pretty good idea of how you could fit into that environment. y Choosing a college according to location is another crucial factor. You must decide in advance which location is suitable for you — if you want to live at home or you would be happy in a hostel in an another city. Students from smaller towns may need to shift base to cities like Delhi, Chandigarh etc in order to pursue courses of their choice in reputed colleges. Here again a college that takes in large numbers of out-of-town students may be the preferred choice for those trying to find their feet with 'kindred' souls in a strange environment. There are so many different career options after graduation, irrespective of which subject you choose, and the college you get into. Every degree programme gives you knowledge of the subject, leading to a career directly related to that subject, as well as certain transferable skills that you can use for any number of other careers. So good luck with your college scouting — and don't be disheartened if you do not get into the college of your dreams. Your second or last option may prove to be the college that builds them for you. (The writer is a
career expert)
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