How can I rank my priorities before comparing universities?
Start by listing your conditions—such as your desired field and teaching format, possible career direction, commuting and cost, and living environment—and classify them as essential, important, or desirable. Then assign each condition a score or weight and examine every university using the same criteria, so your comparison is less influenced by impressions. If your family’s preferences differ from yours, record them separately.
Key points
- Separate conditions that are difficult to change after enrollment from those that are easier to change.
- Give each condition an importance score or weight to make your priorities explicit.
- Compare academic content, costs, commuting, and the learning environment using the same categories.
Things to check
- Details such as fees, course content, support systems, and commuting conditions can vary by university, faculty, and academic year, so check official information before making a final comparison.