Selecting a school is a major decision. Base your choice on careful research and decide which school is right to you. After all, you will be spending a lot of time and money earning your degree. Some of your best sources of information are close at hand. High school counselors, college admission offices, a friend attending college, parents, and relatives are great resources. Visit collegescorecard.ed.gov to compare schools side by side on factors like average annual cost, graduation rate, and many more.
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Some things to consider when choosing a school:
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Does it have the major I'm interested in?
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Do I want a small or large campus?
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Do I want to be close to home?
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What are the costs and average student debt?
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What is the student-to-professor ratio?
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What is the job placement rate?
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What is the school's graduation rate?
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Is the school accredited?
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School expenses can vary depending on the campus you attend, the number of credits you take, and your transportation and housing choices. The cost of attending college also is affected by your residency. Students who qualify as a state resident usually pay tuition at a substantially reduced rate compared to nonresidents. For more college planning resources, visit bnd.nd.gov/planforcollege.
Students who want to attend a 4-year college but do not meet the initial admissions requirements can consider the following transition programs as an alternate route to pursuing their college and career plans:
Dakota College of Bottineau (DCB) and Valley City State University (VCSU) offer the Bridges Program. This program was developed for students who would like to attend a 4-year college but may not yet meet eligibility requirements to do so. The program is housed on VCSU's campus. While students are actually enrolled as DCB students, they will live on VCSU's campus, participate in VCSU campus activities, and have access to all of the student services provided by VCSU. They work closely with a Bridges Coordinator to assist them in navigating through their first year with intensive advising and academic support. They can apply for admission to VCSU after completing 24 credits and maintaining a 2.0 or higher GPA. For more information on the Bridges Program, click here.
Lake Region State College and the University of North Dakota offer a program called LAUNCH! This program, housed on UND's campus in Grand Forks, allows students to live on campus, participate in UND activities, and access UND student services. Students meet regularly with an on-campus advisor to assist them through their first semester of college and can apply for admission to UND as a transfer student after completing 24 credits and maintaining a 2.0 GPA. Click here for more information.
The Pathway Program is a collaborative agreement between North Dakota State University and the North Dakota State College of Science that prepares students for the academic rigors of college-level course work. Applicants who do not meet general admission guidelines at NDSU may be eligible to participate in the Pathway Program. Pathway students are eligible to utilize services and resources on both campuses. These include tutoring services, use of the NDSU Wallman Wellness Center and Student Health Services, and admission to athletic and fine arts events. For more information on the Pathway Program, click here.