How to assess campus safety before picking college?

Campus safety is slowly becoming one of the major criteria for picking colleges, especially for international students applying to different parts of the world. Even though states are keen on ensuring safe conditions for international students, it is useful to proactively research this particular aspect of student life as well as make it a key metric in decision making.

CONSIDER STATISTICS

Look at the figures, but do keep in mind that these may not provide a complete picture of whether a campus is safe or not. Colleges with better safety resources often have higher crime rates, because students feel more confident reporting crime.

For instance, those considering to travel to the United States for study, could consider data provided by the the “Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool” (http:// ope.ed.gov/security/) which allows you to search crime stats by institution, and gives a breakdown of the types of crime committed.

RESEARCH YOUR SURROUNDINGS

Once you make a new place your home, it will be useful to know whether your college is surrounded by the relative safety of a few dozen cornfields, or shady back alleys.

IDENTIFY HELP

Research the resources available on campus. You need to be aware of policies in place to prevent crime, as well as the available redressal mechanisms.

CAMPUS CULTURE

Try to get an insight into campus culture, because a lot of what makes a college safe or otherwise is determined by unmeasurable things, like the attitudes of students and faculty. Students often get carried away with the freedom of it all, and this leads to accidents.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR SAFETY

Keep in mind that YOUR safety depends on YOU. Avoid situations where you might get in trouble, and behave responsibly when you find yourself in one. In the end, you are the one who decides how safe you’ll be at any institution. The author is cofounder, Collegify, a study abroad consultancy