Here are 6 Steps to choosing the right university in Kenya.
The first challenge of the university application process is deciding which universities to apply to. You can choose your selection of universities randomly, or you can spend months deciding on the best options. Either way, you have to make sure you are happy with all of them. So here are some tips on how to choose a university.
1. Make sure you’ve chosen the right subject
It is fundamental to be 120% sure about your subject. You will spend your next three to six years studying it, and then the next 40-50 years working in the area.
If you have doubts about your choice, read as many things about it as you can. Check job options, course contents, and salaries; Google is your friend.
But you definitely do not want to realize after two months of studying that you want to be a dentist instead of a mathematician after all…
2. Consider the course structure
Find out how you will be taught and assessed, like whether a course has a lot of exams, essays, or group work, and also consider the course content.
You can check the course content on the university website. If there’s an area within the subject you’re particularly interested in, check whether the university has it or not.
Alternatively, you can contact the university directly, and I am sure they will be more than happy to answer any questions you have.
3. Cost/Financial Aid Opportunities
The big one. Access to tertiary education can be expensive with limited access. Be aware of different financial aid opportunities.
In most cases, financial aid comes in three forms: need-based aid (how much you/your family can afford to pay), merit-based aid (scholarships based on academic performance) and student loans (such as HELB).
There are also external and private scholarship opportunities that are only a google search away.
4. Learning Model
Attending college should be a holistic experience that encompasses learning, skill development, personal and professional growth and building a strong network. Learning models differ from one college to the next.
Different colleges approach learning in their own way. Think about how you learn best and what institution can provide the best learning experience possible.
5. Demographics and Diversity
Belonging to a community of diverse cultural backgrounds can be a great way to get to know more about the world and yourself. Race, gender and nationality are a few of the factors that make up campus population demographics.
Take time to figure out how important this is to you because the truth is, it’s almost impossible to go through college without interacting with others.
6. Find out about the student accommodation
If you’re starting university, you will probably be moving away from your family for the first time. Therefore, it is essential that the accommodation you live in is nice and friendly, somewhere you can call your “home”. Be prepared: you may have to learn how to cook, how to use the washing machine and how to do the washing up. And don’t worry about the roommates, flat-mates or floor-mates.
