Does the campus make computing and network access financially accessible? Is special student pricing offered for computers and peripheral equipment?
Does the campus help to finance the purchase or lease of a computer over several years? Are there allowances for those who cannot afford a computer? Do students receive special discounts? Can they purchase computers before coming to college?
Most colleges offer students free access to a base level of computing and the Internet through student computing labs. Such labs normally offer modern hardware and software; "fast" connections to the campus network and the Internet that work well for graphics, video, and other intensive applications; and some level of human support. The labs can be used for class assignments, homework, and general access to the Internet. Computers in the labs are automatically set up and upgraded by professional staff and require the least experience on the part of the student. Some questions you might ask are: Are these labs open to all students? Are they open all the time, or at least late at night and on weekends? Do students have to wait in line for a computer to be freed up?
Many colleges now provide similar fast connections to the Internet through network connections in every room of their residence halls. In this case students with their own computers can duplicate most of what they can do in a computer lab in their room, a feature of considerable convenience and value for most students. Residence halls may charge a special annual or monthly fee for fast connections to the Internet. This charge may be built into the charge for the room.
Many colleges also provide students with computers a slower means of connecting to the campus and the Internet through a telephone "dial–up modem" connection. These connections work everywhere, both on campus and off, but are distinctly slower in operation. They may not be suitable for applications that involve sound, video, and very large files of information. Again, does the college provide dial–up connections at no additional charge, or is there an additional fee? Some colleges rely on commercial ISPs to provide this dial–up access. Faster connections through "cable modems" or "DSL telephone lines" are increasingly available in many communities. These are most often provided and billed directly to the student by commercial service providers. In these scenarios, you would need to purchase and pay for an Internet account from a network service provider in town in order to access the campus network.
Find out the options available on the campuses you are considering.
