Choosing a College

There are literally thousands of colleges and universities to choose from, so how are you going to find the college that’s right for you? And knowing that you might not get accepted into the college you want to attend, how many colleges should you apply to? You need to figure out the answers to these questions before the college application deadline during your senior year in high school (usually around December through February, depending on the school).

Before you begin choosing colleges, you should have already finished your college planning. During the college planning process, you should begin to answer some basic questions about your future major and career plans that will help you determine which schools will be a good fit for you. Here are some of the main factors that we hope will help you choose the right colleges for you:

1. College Major

   You want to select a college that has the reputation of teaching and placing their graduates in compatible jobs with their major. Some students select schools that have top programs/courses in their field of study. At the very least, the schools you choose must offer your desired college major.

2. College Location

   You need to determine whether you are willing to travel far from home to get your college education. If you are unwilling to leave your home state, that will narrow down your college choices.

3. College Cost

   You and your family should discuss college costs during the college planning process. You won’t know what kind of financial aid support you are going to receive until after you submit the FAFSA and get award letters from the schools to which you were accepted. Don’t rule out a school because of its price tag. You might get a scholarship or grant that could help you pay for college.

   If you and your family are struggling with college costs, it might be a good idea to apply to a handful of schools. That way, you can compare the financial aid packages from all of the schools, and select one that offers you excellent financial support. Remember, there is a college application cost for every school, usually $40-$100. The more schools you apply to, the more it will cost you.

4. Unique School Factors

   If you really want to get to know a school, take a college visit! Many schools will arrange for you to take a guided tour, sit in on a class, or spend a weekend with a student during your college visit. On your college visit, you can view firsthand the unique history, college life and student body at each campus. Make sure you check out the cafeteria, since you’ll probably have to eat there for four years!

5. College Difficulty

   While you want to choose a school that will challenge you, you also want to consider the level of difficulty of each school. Part of that difficulty may have to do with your major. Find a school (and a course of study) that fits within your work-life balance.

Once you have completed your initial college planning decisions, you can begin choosing a college (or colleges) that fit within your designated criteria. You can begin to look for colleges that fit your profile with your high school counselor or by using tools available from sources like Petersons. There are many websites and books available from your local bookstore that will help you find a college that’s right for you.