Choosing a university
Choosing which universities to apply to isn’t easy. How do you know which one is right for you? Here are a few tips to help you get started.
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Consider how the school stacks up
A university education is a big investment, and the school you choose sends a signal to the world. At a top-ranked school, you’ll enjoy one of the best educations in the world and join the workforce with a wealth of options. Graduating with a degree from a top 40 research university like UBC says something about you, and can open doors around the globe when you’re looking to begin your career.
Check out your academic options
If you have a program in mind, check out what and where you’ll learn. If you’re still not sure what to study, look for a school and degree that will give you lots of options down the road. Some universities provide the opportunity for combined programs, or let you select from a range of different electives across multiple subjects while still fulfilling the requirements for your degree. At UBC, you can choose from among 43 undergraduate degrees and hundreds of opportunities for specialization.
Choose a place you want to live
It’s important that the campus you choose is the right fit for you. Universities can be rural or urban, in a major metropolis, or form mini-cities of their own. Some schools place more of an emphasis on academics, while others have a tradition of excellence in sports or the arts. UBC’s Okanagan and Vancouver campuses both have inclusive, well-rounded communities that will welcome and support you in whatever you’re passionate about, and each one offers a distinctive experience and unique path to a UBC degree.
Picture yourself on campus
Most schools offer campus tours, and many also offer online events for you to get to know the campuses you’re considering. At UBC, we have in-person campus tours, where you’re invited to check out the facilities in person. If you’re unable to make it to Vancouver or the Okanagan, you can take advantage of a live virtual campus tour from home or a self-guided virtual tour that you can take at any time. You’ll get a sense of where you could be going to lectures and studying for exams, eating lunch, and hanging out with friends between classes.
Explore your career opportunities
It’s important that the university you choose will prepare you for the future. Will going to the university help you land your dream job? Does it offer the program you need to get the career you want? Are there opportunities for hands-on experiences like research opportunities, academic exchanges, or co-op programs to get paid work experience before you graduate? Does the university offer resume and other career services?
Estimate your costs
Going to university is an investment in your future, and the costs can add up. Tuition varies across schools, as do the living costs, financial assistance, and awards available to you. You can usually find out all you need to know about planning your finances from a university’s website. For UBC, you can estimate your costs and put together a budget with our cost estimator.