The history of a college usually influences what it is today. If it started as an agricultural school, it is likely to offer fields of study that relate to the science and business management of running a dairy, cultivating crops or preserving foods today. If it started as a seminary for women in a year when women did not typically seek advanced education, it likely has an emphasis on empowering women in the marketplace today. If it started as a health professions technical school it likely offers courses in the most advanced health technologies today. If it started as a teaching school that explored emerging practices, it likely is an education research center today. If it started as a research facility for robotics, it likely has robotics courses today. If it started as a training center for astronauts, it likely trains future astronauts today.

While some may find history a boring study, when it comes to choosing a college, it should not be neglected.