Choosing the right college or university is one of the most significant decisions you’ll make. Futhermore, beginning your search can be incredibly overwhelming. Especially if you’re a volleyball player seeking great academics with a competitive volleyball program. Asking questions like, “Do I want to stay close to home or leave?” “Do I want a large or small campus feel?” “Is this a great school academically?” “Does this school have a competitive athletic program?” is a great start to your school research.
Here are some red flags to consider when doing your school research, both athletically and academically:
1. Does it have a low graduation rate?
A school’s graduation rate is a key indicator of student success and institutional support. If a college or university has a graduation rate lower than 50%, it should raise red flags. Indeed, there are a myriad of reasons why a college or university might have a low graduation rate: insufficient academic support, lack of student engagement, or even systemic issues with the institution.
Furthermore, for anyone considering graduate degrees, this statistic is even more crucial. A low graduation rate might indicate a challenging environment where students struggle to complete their studies. As a result, opt for schools with higher graduation rates. These institutions typically provide better resources, support systems, and academic environments conducive to student success.
2. Schools with limited variety of programs
When you’re uncertain about your major, selecting a school with a broad array of programs is essential. Consequently, choosing a college with limited program offerings can pigeonhole you into a field that may not fully satisfy your academic aspirations. Espescially if you are interested in multiple programs. If you want to pursue maths and sciences, don’t consider a college or university that exclusively offers programs in the liberal arts. In any case, remember that it’s easier to hop programs than institutions; and secondly, the primary reason for your attendance to a college or university is to pursue a higher education. Take the academic piece seriously, yet pursue your interests.
3. It doesn’t have a volleyball program
Come on! This seems obvious right? Wrong.
There are a number of schools that don’t have a varsity volleyball program. Yet, it might be a good fit academically. As a student athlete seeking to play volleyball at the next level, there should be only one reason why you would consider a school without a volleyball program: it’s the PERFECT fit academically and your program of study is only offered at very few institutions. Otherwise, nix it off the list or place it as a Plan D, if you catch my drift. Our goal at Six Pack is to always find the right fit academically and athletically for our athletes. Luckily, most Six Pack athletes don’t have to make the decision to pursue just volleyball or just academics.
Researching schools can ultimately become a full time job. There are over 3,000 institutions across Canada and the U.S. to browse through if you’re considering a pool that large. How do you know which one would be the best fit athletically and academically? Every volleyball athlete has different needs, asking yourself these questions is a good start. Moreover, with Six Pack’s connections, knowledge and directory of schools we’re able to easily guide student athletes through this process.
