Q: Should I choose an associate or bachelor’s degree?

Georgia State University’s degree comparison guide: Understand how associate and bachelor’s degrees differ and consider which path supports your goals. Georgia State’s guide explains typical completion times, costs, career considerations, and the option of starting with an associate degree before transferring to a bachelor’s program. Start with the education your intended career requires. Compare your options with an academic advisor, and confirm which credits will count toward your intended degree if you plan to transfer.

Q: How do I choose the best college for me?

U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard: Compare colleges by their programs, costs, graduation rates, and student outcomes. College Scorecard can help you narrow your choices and consider how a school fits your educational and career goals. Look beyond the numbers, too. Consider location, class formats, transportation, housing, and opportunities to participate in campus life. Ask questions and arrange a visit or virtual meeting to explore whether the college fits your access needs.

Q: How do I prepare to request accommodations in college?

U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights: Learn about your rights and responsibilities as a student with a disability and the college’s responsibilities to provide academic adjustments and related aids and services. This guide explains how disability support changes when you move from high school to college. Contact the college’s disability services office early. Ask about its accommodation request process, documentation requirements, and timelines so you can prepare before classes begin.

Q: How can I learn about a professor before choosing a class?

Rate My Professors and your college’s course information: Explore student feedback about teaching methods and course experiences through Rate My Professors. Look for recent reviews of the specific course and recurring comments about clarity, assignments, feedback, and workload. Reviews reflect individual experiences and should be one part of your decision. Request a recent syllabus when available, review the professor’s college profile, and ask your advisor or students who have taken the class about its expectations. Contact the professor with questions about teaching format and course materials, and work with disability services to arrange accommodations.

Question 1

Should I choose an associate or bachelor’s degree?

Accepted Answer

Georgia State University’s degree comparison guide

Understand how associate and bachelor’s degrees differ and consider which path supports your goals. Georgia State’s guide explains typical completion times, costs, career considerations, and the option of starting with an associate degree before transferring to a bachelor’s program.

Start with the education your intended career requires. Compare your options with an academic advisor, and confirm which credits will count toward your intended degree if you plan to transfer.

Compare degree options

Question 2

How do I choose the best college for me?

Accepted Answer

U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard

Compare colleges by their programs, costs, graduation rates, and student outcomes. College Scorecard can help you narrow your choices and consider how a school fits your educational and career goals.

Look beyond the numbers, too. Consider location, class formats, transportation, housing, and opportunities to participate in campus life. Ask questions and arrange a visit or virtual meeting to explore whether the college fits your access needs.

Compare colleges

Question 3

How do I evaluate a college’s disability services?

Accepted Answer

National Center for College Students with Disabilities (NCCSD)

NCCSD provides college-planning resources and a directory of campus disability services contacts. Use these resources to prepare questions and connect with the disability services office at each college you are considering.

Ask about accessible course materials, assistive technology, communication access, testing accommodations, and housing. Discuss your specific needs, how services are arranged, and whom to contact when a barrier arises. If possible, speak with current students with disabilities about their experiences.

Explore college disability resources

Question 4

How do I prepare to request accommodations in college?

Accepted Answer

U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights

Learn about your rights and responsibilities as a student with a disability and the college’s responsibilities to provide academic adjustments and related aids and services. This guide explains how disability support changes when you move from high school to college.

Contact the college’s disability services office early. Ask about its accommodation request process, documentation requirements, and timelines so you can prepare before classes begin.

Understand your rights and responsibilities

Question 5

How can I plan for college costs and financial aid?

Accepted Answer

Federal Student Aid: Learn about grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans, and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for available aid. Review federal, state, and college deadlines. When comparing colleges, consider the full cost—including books, housing, transportation, and other expenses. Federal Student Aid’s guidance can help you compare aid offers and understand what you would still need to pay or borrow. Ask each college’s financial aid office about scholarships and your individual circumstances.

Question 6

How do I create a good course schedule for the semester?

Accepted Answer

Your college’s academic advising office and Georgia State’s digital learning guide

Meet with an academic advisor before registering to discuss degree requirements, prerequisites, course sequencing, and a manageable workload. Plan time for studying, work, transportation, appointments, and rest, and consider how your access needs affect your schedule.

Georgia State recommends budgeting an average of two hours outside class each week for each credit hour. For a three-credit course, that means planning about six hours for assignments and studying, in addition to scheduled class time. Actual demands vary, especially for labs, accelerated courses, and online classes. Review course expectations with your advisor and allow the time you personally need.

Explore study and scheduling guidance

Question 7

How can I learn about a professor before choosing a class?

Accepted Answer

Rate My Professors and your college’s course information

Explore student feedback about teaching methods and course experiences through Rate My Professors. Look for recent reviews of the specific course and recurring comments about clarity, assignments, feedback, and workload. Reviews reflect individual experiences and should be one part of your decision.

Request a recent syllabus when available, review the professor’s college profile, and ask your advisor or students who have taken the class about its expectations. Contact the professor with questions about teaching format and course materials, and work with disability services to arrange accommodations.

Explore professor reviews