Choosing a College That's Right for You

Deciding where to go to college is probably one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. It’s a very exciting time, but can sometimes be stressful, too. Below are some steps to relieve some of that pressure and make sure you’re choosing a college you’ll be happy attending.

Step One:
Determine what you might like to study or major in at college. If you have always aspired to be in a certain career field, you have an advantage of sorts. Start by researching colleges that specialize in your area of interest. If you don’t know exactly what you want to do, that’s OK too, but consider giving it some thought. There are lots of career assessment tests you can take to uncover what you would be good at and enjoy doing. Search online or ask your school counselor for assistance.

Step Two:
Create a list of criteria to help you choose a college. Is it important for you to stay close to home or have you always wanted to live far away? Would you prefer a large university or a small college? Are costs a concern? There are lots of criteria you can use to narrow down your options. Here is a list of the most common:

Degrees, majors and minors offered
Location
Size of school
Classroom size
Costs
Financial aid packages
Student body
Campus resources (diversity, gender, etc.)
Social life (organizations, sports, school spirit)

Step Three:
Compile a list of possible colleges and universities. Once you’ve decided which criteria are important to you, it’s time to research! You can find information on colleges in books, Web sites and your school’s guidance office. You should also consider attending college fairs where you can actually meet representatives from the schools and gather important literature.

Step Four:
Visit the colleges. The best way to really get a feel for a college is by visiting the campus. Take a guided tour, visit a classroom and the student center, and talk with students. You may even want to stay the night in a dorm, if possible. You’ll want to feel comfortable in the place where you will spend the next four years of your life, so visiting is an important part of the process.

Step Five:
While waiting to hear back from the colleges you’ve applied to, seek out scholarships and grants. After applying to the schools that made the cut, start checking out what scholarships and grants you qualify for — even if your grades aren’t stellar. Research online and talk with your guidance counselor.

Step Six:
Make a final choice among the schools that accepted you. Since you’ve completed all the appropriate steps, the last shouldn’t be too difficult. When making your final choice, consider the financial aid packages offered and remember the issues that you decided were most important to you. Congratulations and good luck!