One of the most important decisions in a young person’s life is where they will pursue their university education.  Some people, like John Bradberry Charlotte NC, have great things to say about their school and have no regrets.  Unfortunately, other people realize after it is too late that they made the wrong decision, and chose a school that wasn’t right for them for one reason or another.  This is a mistake that will cost time and money to fix, and for that reason, it is crucial to make the right choice in the first place.  Here are some questions that you should be sure to ask yourself before making your decision.

Does the school satisfy your academic needs?

This seems to pretty-much a no-brainer because you will have selected options based on the availability of the program that you want to take.  However, even if the program you want is offered, you should confirm that the full-range of courses are offered each year, and if not, which ones will be offered in your first year.  This is because many programs offer courses on a rotating schedule due to funding issues.  It is also the case that faculty go on research leave, and so if you are attracted to a particular school because of a professor or class, make sure that the professor will not be on leave.  Less obvious questions to ask are whether the majority of the introductory classes will be taught by professors or by teaching assistants.

Are classes delivered traditionally or are they available online?

More and more schools are offering significant portions of their curricula online.  For some students, this is a great development because it means that you have more flexibility in your schedule, and can continue to work at a job or to manage family responsibilities. However, many students prefer personal interaction with the professor and other classmates not only for studying and group projects but also for social reasons.  Definitely find out what the options are and be sure that they suit your preferences.

Are you prepared to move, maybe across the country?

A really important question to ask yourself is whether you are willing and able to relocate, perhaps moving quite far from family and friends. For some people, this is an exciting opportunity to strike out on their own and put down roots in a new place.  For others, it may be more complicated – perhaps they have spouses with jobs they cannot easily give up, aging parents or young children.  It is also important to remember that the cost of living varies across the country and you may be surprised by higher than expected expenses in a new city.

These are just some of the important questions that you should ask yourself as you are making a decision about which university you will attend.  Be sure to do careful research and to ask any and all questions that seem relevant before you finally decide – make sure you have no regrets!