What you need to know and what you should ask when choosing a college or university

You're not just a student, you're a consumer too. .and should know what you're paying for, so ask! In searching for the right college or university, you'll find all kinds of guides, lists, and rankings designed to help and influence your choice, along with print and Web resources that schools are glad to send you. Computers are everywhere and will be a big part of your college experience. While a campus's technology resources, support, and services will not be the only factors you consider, they are important, variable, and too often misunderstood. One of the best tactics is to ask questions. Remember, there are no "dumb" questions, just those you want answers to before you make a commitment.

You will be joining a community of people devoted to creating and sharing information-activities that can be enhanced by information technology. Finding answers to the following questions can help you understand how technology is used to support learning and collaboration in your areas of interest or possible major(s).

• Academic Experience Active learning with technology: bringing students, faculty, and information together
• Administrative Experience: Taking care of business online
• Student Life: Enriching your extracurricular experiences with technology
• Services and Fees: What you pay for and what you get

Beyond This Brochure:

This guide gives you the basic questions to ask about information technology. You can find other useful tips and data, including comparative information on specific technology issues for different types of colleges and universities, on the guide's Web site: www.educause.edu/studentguide/. This guide was developed by EDUCAUSE in cooperation with the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) and the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).

Technology, learning, and you:

Wherever you go to school and whatever you choose as a major or future career, you'll be using computers and other information technologies. It makes sense to check out the technology environment at the schools you're considering along with other factors that will influence your choice. How will you be using technology-in your degree program, in particular classes, in labs, in teams, in field work, and where you live? These are just some of the questions that this guide will help you ask.

This document last reviewed May 30, 2004.