On Contemplating College Choices
On Contemplating College Choices
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The Link, May 8, 2025
By Jacob Eleazar R. Reginio
We will all reach a moment in our lives where we will face important choices; choices that will impact our futures. Perhaps one of the earliest and most common choices we will make is when it comes to college. ‘Which college to go to’, ‘what program to choose’, ‘what will it cost’, are all common things to ask when it comes to pursuing college. Making these kinds of choices can be daunting and even stressful at times, but if you know what to consider then the choice can be made slightly easier. This is coming from a graduating student, who along with peers, have had experience throughout the school year.
There are a lot of things to consider when deciding on which college to go to: programs offered, financial cost, school reputation, influence of family and peers, personal ability and values. This, of course, varies from person to person but generally speaking, it should align with where we are today and where we want to be in the future.
I personally believe that the programs offered by the college are one of the most important things to consider when making your choice. It aligns with future career options as well as personal interests and ability. Some programs and courses lead to future programs like in certain pre-law or pre-med courses. It will be the main kind of specific education you will be getting. For me and many of my peers, future careers were always in mind when choosing a college because it depends on the programs they offer. There is no point in going to a school with subjects you don’t want or need to learn. School reputation matters less if they don’t offer your desired program.
School reputation is another thing a lot of people consider. Everyone wants to go to the ‘Big Four’ or every family has a favorite or least favorite school. While graduating from a school like Ateneo or UP is a big deal for many and has many advantages, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee success.
I do believe it is important to shoot high, but I have also learned that it depends on individual goals, quality of programs, and financial situation. It depends on the kind of education that you are able to and want to achieve.
For many, the financial costs of college are a limiting factor when considering one’s choices. Not just in terms of tuition, but also transportation and potential dorm costs can become a lot to handle for some. This is a big one for many families, mine is no exception, but again it depends on the quality of education you are aiming for. It really depends on the goals and financial situation of the person, but there are ways to avoid this limitation. I, along with people I know, consider taking scholarships to ease the financial burden of tuition, but that might not work for some.
What if you are still unsure with your choices? Maybe you are still unsure of what programs to choose or what you want to do with the future and feel overwhelmed.
It is true that people put a lot of pressure on these kinds of choices, especially if it has an impact on the future. I have reached this kind of roadblock before, where I’m just not sure where things will take me but I took it as a moment of reflection and consultation. Asking the advice and opinions from family, peers, and counselors can help with making your choices and they can potentially give a new perspective for what you want to do for the future. Looking into one’s capabilities and interests are also important in learning about what you really want for the future. There’s a lot to consider and it heavily depends on the personal situation of an individual, but one shouldn’t pressure themselves into choosing a side. One should take time and consider both the present and the future for making a choice.
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