The Big Question

Why are you going to college?

In the frenzy to get into a competitive school, students often forget to stop and ask themselves what they want from a college educationIn many families, there is no question that going to college is what you do after high school. But even when you know you're headed to a four-year institution, there are many ways to approach higher education.

Is your goal to pursue your intellectual interests? To complete the required prerequisites for medical, law or graduate school, or to gain practical skills for the job market?

For students who have clear professional goals that require specific training, like engineering, the process is more straightforward. Your choices are already narrowed to schools that offer engineering programs. Then, it's a matter of looking at the other factors, including learning style and personal preferences, which go into making a great college match.

One student loves the idea of being part of a small community of engineers and will apply to Olin College of Engineering, and another student can't wait to go to football games and join a fraternity, and will be more attracted to UCLA or Penn State.

If you want to be an engineer, you need to study engineering. But in other fields, there is usually more than one way to reach your goal. A student who plans to go into journalism might head for a top journalism program, like the Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri. But many successful reporters have come out of liberal arts colleges.

A solid background in history, economics and sociology would provide valuable context for anyone pursuing a career in journalism. Since experience is the key to getting a job in this field, attending a smaller college where there wouldn't be as much competition and you'd have a good chance of becoming editor of the school paper could be the best career path.

If you want your college experience to be related to the real world, you might want a school with a strong co-op program, like Northeastern or Drexel University. Alternating school terms with paid work experiences can motivate students who are bored with a strictly academic approach to learning.

But if you don't have a clue about a future career, you are not alone. Even if you think you know what you want, chances are you'll change your mind. One of my high school friends started as an anthropology major in college, but after a few courses, realized that she probably was not destined to live on a remote island and become the next Margaret Mead. She changed her major to English and is a writer. Another friend was planning to go to law school, but became a special education teacher and is now a school psychologist.

You really don't know where you'll end up, especially in a fastchanging world, where jobs can quickly become obsolete or outsourced. That's why liberal arts colleges, where students learn to analyze issues, think creatively, and solve problems may provide an education that is very marketable in the long run.

According to a study by the U.S. Department of Labor, the average person will have seven careers in a lifetime, often returning to school several times. I am living proof of that trend, having earned two master's degrees, in counseling psychology and screenwriting. While they are different fields, both involve understanding human behavior, and I find the combination very useful as I help students think about their goals and tell their stories in their college applications.

It may seem overwhelming to think about all the possibilities, but it can also be exciting. The more creative you are about exploring college options, the better your chance of finding the right path.

Audrey Kahane, MS, is a private college admissions counselor in

West Hills. She can be reached at (818) 704-7545 or at audreykahane@earthlink.net.