How to choose a university? See 5 tips before deciding

Before choosing where to study, knowing the structure and understanding the possibilities offered by the university can help with decision-making Marcel Sabatino Much is said about the doubt of which course to choose for a degree and the importance of knowing how to choose a profession. But, in addition to defining the career you want to follow, have you ever stopped to think that choosing the university where you want to study is also an important decision? After all, with so many options available, it is natural to have doubts about which institution offers the structure, teaching and opportunities that best match your goals. Brazilian higher education reached 10.23 million enrollments in 2024, according to data gathered by the Semesp Institute from the Inep Higher Education Census. The number represents growth of 2.5% compared to the previous year. Faced with so many possibilities, just looking at the name of the institution or the monthly fee may not be enough. Personal objectives, recognized quality, structure, teachers, practical experiences and the opinion of those who already experience the university routine are some of the factors that can help in this decision. Define your goals Before choosing a university, the first step is to understand what you expect from your degree. What career do you want to follow? Do you prefer more practical training? Is location important? Are you looking for a university with structure and possibilities for experiences beyond the classroom? Having these answers helps establish priorities and makes comparisons between institutions more objective. It was precisely the combination of different factors that led Raquel Fernanda Rizzi, Nursing student, to choose Unoeste. She says that she considered everything from ease of access and recommendations from other students to the quality of teaching and the structure offered. "During a visit to the university with my parents, I was impressed with the structure and this consolidated my decision to join Unoeste. I realized that the teachers are all qualified, demonstrate great mastery of the content and know how to transmit knowledge, which motivates us to always seek our best in our studies", he comments. Check recognition The Ministry of Education (MEC) evaluates higher education institutions on several points, such as infrastructure, teaching staff and management. Courses and universities with a maximum score (5) indicate proven excellence. At Unoeste, institutional recognition is one of the differences presented to students. The university has a concept of 5 in the General Course Index (IGC), the maximum indicator, in addition to a concept of 5 in institutional re-accreditation. For Ana Paula Cury Agnelli, a medical student, this recognition was one of the elements that caught her attention. "Unoeste, having a rating of 5 in the MEC, offers a teaching and learning method that I consider very positive. I also like the structure that the university provides for our training, both in relation to spaces and materials, with well-equipped laboratories and pieces for practical activities, and the teaching staff, which I consider excellent and very prepared to contribute to our learning", he states. Ana Paula Cury Agnelli highlights Unoeste's recognition and the structure offered for training Gabriel Ferracini Visit the university Photos and videos can help you get an idea of ??what a university is like, but visiting the campus in person allows you to have a much more concrete perception of the academic experience. It was during an experience of this type that Fernanda Bissoli Moreno, a Psychology student, began to build her relationship with Unoeste. She discovered the campus during a Career Fair, when she was still studying in high school, and was impressed with the structure offered by the institution. "I chose Unoeste because I fell in love with the campus the first time I visited it, during the Careers Fair, when I was still studying at my old school. Furthermore, the different selection processes offered by the university were also important in my choice", he recalls. Therefore, whenever possible, it is worth taking advantage of opportunities such as Career Fairs or guided tours. These moments allow you to learn about the structure, ask questions and better understand what the university offers before making a decision. Get to know the structure After visiting the institution, another point that deserves attention is the structure available for training. Laboratories, libraries, classrooms, clinics, simulation environments and technological resources can make a difference in the academic experience, especially in courses that require frequent contact with practical activities. It was precisely this point that caught the attention of Renata Galazini Silva, a Biomedicine student. She says that she had been approved at other institutions and was still in doubt about which one to choose, until she visited the Unoeste campus. "When I got to know the structure, the laboratories and some of the professors who accompanied us during the visit, I was sure that Unoeste would be my choice. The spaces and availability of professors, who are always willing to help us and answer our questions, make all the difference in our learning and make the undergraduate experience even more complete", he says. Renata Galazini says that getting to know the laboratories and structure of Unoeste was decisive in her choice Gabriel Ferracini Talk to students Another way to get to know an institution better is to talk to students and former students. Those who already experience the academic routine can share insights about teachers, structure, practical activities and other aspects that do not always appear in institutional presentations. That's what Lucas Leone Mageste, Physiotherapy student, did. Before taking the entrance exam, he researched different institutions and sought external references to make a safer decision. “When I was still in doubt, before signing up for