College Search

Two months into my senior year of high school, I was the only one not proudly wearing a T-shirt with the insignia of the college I would attend.

Selecting a college would be my first adult decision, and I wanted it to count. My guidance counselor, parents and peers continually reminded me of the importance of college, but no one was telling me how to choose a college.

I ended up composing a list of five factors that I thought were important in starting your college search and that formed the acronym REACH: Region, Estimated costs, Academics, Campus life and Housing.

How to Choose a College

• Choose a Region

I had to narrow my college search. I wanted—big, little or somewhere in between? One thing I found helpful was to consider how I wanted to spend my spare time. You may want to consider how you will spend your weekends. Does the region offer the beach scene, mountain climbing, hiking or ice skating?

Making a list of your hobbies can help narrow your college search—especially if the universities do not accommodate your hobbies. I decided on a four-year institution in a small town. My sister, Olivia, began her college search much differently. She resolved to move away from home. Her region had to be far enough away that she wouldn’t have to come home every weekend but close enough that she could return when she needed to.

• Estimated costs -How to choose a college without going broke

Yes, apply for all the scholarships you can that will reward you for your community service and SAT or ACT scores. But look beyond your freshman year award potential. Do the schools in your college search offer scholarships for your major? What are the requirements? Do you qualify for work-study? Are there other jobs, such as being a tour guide or resident advisor, that can help you offset the cost of college?

• Academics -How to choose a college with the best program

Academics usually fall to third place when seniors are doing a college search. It should have been my first. When I was a senior in high school, I didn’t know the importance of a program being accredited—or even know there was such a thing. Ask your guidance counselor or admissions counselor if the department you’re considering majoring in is accredited. Also ask who teaches the courses, what the student-teacher ratio is and the average class size. Remember, not every college is equal, and it is your job to find out which colleges pass your test. “Finding a college with your major is the most important thing in any college search,” says Ranee Mitchell, secretary of admissions at the University of North Alabama. “If they don’t offer it, you are wasting your time.”

• Campus life- Getting a feel for the school

College is a package deal—and campus life is an important piece of that puzzle. One of the best ways to get the feel of a campus is to attend an event. Most colleges offer a preview day of some type to give prospective students a taste of what they offer. Also, consider taking a campus tour. My college tour sold the idea of UNA to me. I could see myself walking to class in the crisp fall breeze with the leaves blowing across the windy sidewalks. I loved it! I was excited at the opportunities UNA presented through its campus life. I was encouraged that my tour guide knew the people we passed. It made the campus feel homey. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about your tour guide’s experiences, what types of student organizations are present on campus, and the main events the campus hosts each year.

• Housing -A College search should include a housing search

Housing, a cousin of campus life, is of varying importance to high school seniors. Some colleges require all freshmen to live on campus; others don’t. You may want to ask if the university offers any freshmen-only housing. Living on a freshmen floor helps ease anxiety and is a great way to make friends. You will also want to know when the dorms close, what’s included in the room cost and whether the halls are co-ed.

The best way to get the answers to your questions about your college search is to—yep, you guessed it—take a tour.

Abby Tennant is a senior professional writing major at the University of North Alabama (una.edu). Her favorite activity is giving campus tours to incoming freshmen, but she has also enjoyed being a resident assistant and freshmen orientation leader.

You want hands-on experience in your major. You want a top-notch education, but you don’t want to have student loans for years after graduation. What's the best way to figure out how to choose a college that's right for you? Surprise: A state college or university can offer you all of the above.

What does a state school have to offer? The most obvious benefit of a state college is affordable cost. At Fayetteville State University (FSU) in North Carolina, the approximate cost of tuition for the is $2,659 per year for in-state residents. Private universities and colleges often have a higher tuition per year. Take New York University (NYU) in Manhattan, for example, where the Web site publishes the cost of tuition as $30,095 per year no matter which state you’re from.

“The major difference between a public and private college is the source of their funding,” says Carol Hogan, director of admissions at FSU. “Public universities receive money from the state that helps them underwrite the cost of education. Private universities are dependent...on tuition dollars to cover the cost.”

But take note: Tuition at state schools is higher for non-state residents. For out-of-staters at FSU, for example, tuition is $12,020 per year.

Kelly Bowers, a senior at West Chester University (WCU) in West Chester, Penn., says that she chose WCU over a private school because, “it was one of two colleges in Pennsylvania that had my major, and it was the cheapest out of the two.”

Ian Jones chose a private college. This student at John F. Kennedy University (JFKU) in California, says, “I like the small class size, more personal attention from the instructors, and that I’m not just a number.”

Does that mean that you’ll receive a better education from a private school versus a public one? Not necessarily. “When a student looks at a college, it should not be an either/or scenario when looking at private or a public school,” Hogan says. “A student has to select a college that has the right match, feel, and is affordable.”

When it comes to your overall college experience, how to choose a college that is either public or private college is simply what you make of it. Getting involved in campus activities is a great way for you to have fun and meet new friends. It will also give you experience in teamwork and time management that you can use after you graduate.

Bowers agrees that getting involved in different clubs on campus “definitely [gives you] a better sense of teamwork. And depending on your personality and ambition, you can gain leadership skills.”

Will attending a state school affect your prospective jobs after graduation? Dr. Thomas B. Matthews, director of career services at the State University of New York IT, says, “Employers are hiring well-rounded individuals with a balance of educational credentials and relevant experience.” That means that it doesn’t matter where you got your degree, but rather if you were involved wherever you went. Did you have an internship, or did you sit in the back of all your classes and shy away from campus activities?

Each year, the demand for higher education grows stronger as employers look for employees who possess college degrees. “Employers look for students that can hit the ground running and are competent in their subject matter,” Hogan says. “Employers recruit at schools—be they private or public—that produce graduates that meet their needs for growth and productivity.”

As you begin figuring out how to choose a college that is right for you, think about all of the important aspects of college life. Does the price suit you? Does the college offer the program that you want? Do they offer a vast array of clubs and organizations in which you can be involved? Your final college choice should be based on the answers to those important questions, not whether it’s a public or private college.

So, you’ve worked your tail off for the past three years in high school and you’re about to enjoy the fruits of your labor: putting together the list of top colleges that you’ll apply to. Every year, top high school students who exceeded their goal SAT scores, who took AP classes and who have been on the high honor roll every semester tend to apply to a lot of the same schools, especially the Ivy League colleges.

How to select a college: to begin with, make a list of potential colleges. The big list should include every college that you might be willing to attend. Once you have a list, narrow it down by taking the time to consider all of the following.

Choosing a college can truly be a daunting task—especially with so many choices.

When choosing how to select a college, there are a few things you can consider to make the process go smoothly and reduce your stress.

1. Location
Does the location of the school matter to you? If so, consider whether or not each college on your list fits your needs.

2. Degree programs
Obviously, degree programs matter. In this case, you don’t just want to look at undergraduate degrees. If you did decide to further your education with a master’s or a doctorate, does the school provide programs to suit?

3. Campus resources
What resources does the school offer that will help you on your road to secondary education? Do they have research opportunities in their science programs, for example?

4. Academic rankings
How does the college rate when compared to similar institutions? Although rankings aren’t everything, there is usually a reason that the highest ranked schools are so well regarded.

5. Costs
Consider the costs involved in attending each institution. Tuition isn’t the only factor; you should also factor in the cost of food, housing, and any other activities in which you plan to be involved.

6. Class sizes
A college with smaller class sizes may be more difficult to get into, and they may have higher tuition costs. But they also might give you a more personalized educational curriculum.

7. Housing options
What options do you have for housing in the area? Does the college offer on-campus housing? If not, does the rental market in the area fit with your budget?

8. Faculty
Along with the school itself, you should also look at the faculty.

9. The student body
Does your personality mesh well with the college’s other students?

10. Admissions counselors
Talk to the admissions counselors at the schools you’re considering to get a feel for the school’s offerings and if you’ll be a good fit.

Taking the time to consider all of these elements when figuring out how to select a college will make the selection process easier. More than that, it will help you choose a school that is right for you, and in turn help you get the most from your college years.

Ross Blankenship is an admissions consultant and admissions counselor. He is also an author and co-founder of Miro Advantage and TopTestPrep.com, which help with test prep and admissions.

Did you sleep through your guidance counselor’s college prep presentation?

Or just need a refresher on your options? Here are just some of your options for life after high school.

Trade/technical school

the deal: Pick an industry you’re interested in working—from culinary to cosmetology, automotive to medical assisting. Use a college guide to find a trade or technical school in that area, and you’ll get hands-on training using the same kinds of equipment you’ll encounter after graduation. Big selling points are straightforward training and short programs—typically about 18 months.

average cost: Varies greatly depending on the program, school and campus.

what can you earn?: Certificate, associate degree.

from an expert: “The best thing a potential technical school student can do to prepare is first figure out what interests him/her the most and tie that into a specific career field,” says Frank Galindo, marketing manager for Lincoln Educational Services. “That way, there is a genuine interest in what he/she is going to be studying, which only helps the students perform at their best.”

Community college

the deal: Attend a community college to earn an associate degree that will either propel you into a career or prepare you to transfer for a bachelor’s degree. You can also take classes there in high school to earn college credit, or fulfill some of your bachelor’s degree requirements at a community college over the summer.

If you plan to transfer to a four-year school after attending a community college, use a college guide and meet regularly with a transfer counselor and ask about articulation agreements. An articulation agreement spells out which credits will transfer to which four-year schools.

Big selling points are affordability and flexibility.

average cost: $2,402/year (collegeboard.com)

what can you earn?: Certificate, associate degree.

from an expert: “Professors at community colleges often teach simultaneously at four-year colleges,” says Hadley Camilus, senior special programs coordinator at Quinsigamond Community College (qcc.mass.edu). “Essentially, for a whole lot less, a community college student can be instructed by the same professors as their peers who attend the four-year college across town.”

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)

the deal: Take ROTC in college, and you’ll take classes in military values, history and leadership.

Graduate from an ROTC program, and you’ll be commissioned as an officer in the armed forces. Army ROTC scholarship recipients can expect to spend at least four years on active duty, then four years either on active duty, inactive ready reserve, U.S. Army Reserve or National Guard.

If you receive a ROTC scholarship, you’ll earn full tuition and academic fees or room and board, up to $10,000 per year. Cadets also receive $1,200 per year for books and a monthly stipend between $300 and $500 depending on year in school.

Not a scholarship winner? You won’t get your tuition paid for, but you’ll still qualify for the stipend.

what can you earn?: Commission as an officer and a guaranteed career after college.

from an expert: “I did ROTC, and I feel that every able-bodied American should provide some service back to their country,” says Major Will Laase, assistant professor of military science at Boston University (bu.edu). “If you’re ready to be a leader and you want to be a leader, then ROTC is a great way to launch any career and give you the skills that any employer is looking for: Army values, leadership and the skills that get any job done.”

Public college or university

the deal: Taxpayers in your state help support the public colleges there. And you might as well benefit; it means a relatively low tuition price for in-staters. A college guide will show you all kinds of campuses in a public university system, from small rural schools to big university centers. Big selling points are affordability, diversity and location variety.

average cost: $6,585/year (collegeboard.com)

what can you earn?: Bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degrees.

from an expert: To prepare for a public college or university, take a rigorous schedule through senior year.

“Many students lack a solid senior year and have difficulty getting back into things academically after a whole year of less challenging classes,” says Alexander P. Nazemetz, director of admissions at University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (upb.pitt.edu). “By challenging yourself in high school, your time management skills will already be built in and your success rate at the college of your choice will be much higher.”

Private college or university

the deal: Private colleges tend to be more selective and smaller than your average public university. The price tag is also higher on average. Big selling points are small class sizes, professor attention and financial aid.

average cost: $25,143/year (collegeboard.com)

what can you earn?: Bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degrees.

from an expert: “Some of our students at California Baptist University joke that it’s like ‘high school-plus,’” says Karen Bergh, director of communications at CBU (CBU.edu). “But they are quick to add that the ‘plus’ means you have all the benefits of the drama associated with knowing everyone, and you have the freedom to grow, express yourself and make lifelong friends while you are learning to be an independent young adult.”

Gap year

the deal: A gap year is when you take up to a year off after high school and before college to explore a passion, volunteer, travel or work. “Gappers” can either join a structured program or find their own work and travel opportunities.

average cost: Structured, semester-long programs typically run $8,000 to $14,000.

Read the fine print to find out if food, lodging and transportation are included.

from an expert: “Taking a gap year gives students the opportunity to pause and discover something about themselves and about the world they live in,” says Paul Meadows, director of Map The Gap International (mapthegapinternational.com).

This summer, thousands of you soon-to-be seniors will visit college campuses across the United States to take a collegiate rite of passage: the campus tour. A campus tour is the best way to gain a general understanding of a college.

But with only an hour to form an opinion about a college, are you getting all you can out of your campus tours?

How do you approach each campus tour? Do you take copious notes? Do you stake out the admissions building to find the best tour guide? Or are you a prospective student without an Active Tour Plan (ATP)?

For four years, I gave tours at Connecticut College. During that time, I learned the intricacies of the unsuccessful campus tour. Most of my charges didn’t have an ATP. They were passive listeners who let me tell them what I wanted to (and didn’t want to) about my college. Only a few bothered to use the hour to their best advantage. But your days of visiting colleges without an ATP are over.

Here are my suggestions for triumphing on every campus tour, how to keep the multitude of tours and guides and campus quads from running together as you try to find out why each college is unique. If you care enough to visit a college map out what exactly you want to get done on your tour. You’ve got one hour—how are you going to use it?

BEFORE THE TOUR

Do research
Research its outstanding programs, faculty-student ratio, educational mission—even its mascot. Know the competitive sports teams and major rivals. You should prepare yourself with all of the pertinent, public information there is to learn about the college before you set off to take a tour.

As a tour guide, my worst tours began with groups that confused my school, Connecticut College, with the University of Connecticut (approximately 30 times bigger and an hour north), or who mistakenly believed that we were still an all-women’s college (we went co-ed 40 years ago).

Read while you wait
Once you arrive on campus, brush up on your knowledge in the admissions office while you wait for the tour to begin. If you arrive early (or if your guide is late), make good use of your time. Most college admissions offices are stacked with brochures; grab a few and review them and take a college map to make sure you can get around. Know if the college you are visiting is a small liberal arts college or a medium-sized university. Find out where students live and the division in which the athletic teams compete.

The more you understand about a college, the more efficient you will be during the tour. You’ll be able to skip the intro questions and head right for the tough ones, like “How is the study atmosphere in the library at night?”

Your tour guide will be an actual student at the college you are visiting—be prepared to use him or her as more than a walking brochure narrator. Preparing is the first step to a successful and efficient campus tour.

WHILE ON THE TOUR

Engage the tour guide about his or her personal experiences

Nobody likes a boring tour. But that’s what you’ll get if you don’t have an ATP. Ask questions! Remember—focus on finding out what makes this college different from others.

The best questions are directed to a tour guide’s personal experience. Tour guides (like most people) are at their best when they’re talking about subjects they know well. Encourage tour guides to emphasize their own experiences instead of the usual canned speech about the history of the art building.

Ask your tour guide:
•  Why did you choose this college?
•  What have been your best experiences here?
•  Why did you stay after freshman year?
•  What’s your plan for after graduation?

AFTER THE TOUR

Talk to the tour guide after the tour is over This is the best advice I can offer—make sure it’s part of your ATP. The time after a tour is golden. Most guides stick around to answer final questions and make sure everyone knows where to go next. Use this time to engage the tour guide about your own situation. Are you concerned about attending a large college or worried about making friends? Confide this fear to your tour guide, and ask the guide to address the issue. Are you nervous that your test scores aren’t high enough for admission? Ask the guide what other criteria the college values highly. In the time after the tour, you’ll get the guide’s full attention, and if you’re lucky, candid answers.

As a tour guide, I took pains to educate myself about the admission process—deadlines, interviews, admission stats. But I rarely volunteered this information during normal tours, since it was difficult to explain concisely. In the time after tours, however, when prospective students approached me, I was free to speak to their particular questions. As a result, I often counseled students and families about the importance of scheduling interviews, which happened to be an important criteria for admission. The students who engaged me after the tour benefited from my knowledge simply by sticking around.

Write down five impressions you received from the tour
Note the number of trees on the campus quad. Jot down how impressed you were with the lecture halls you saw. Also write down some of the things your tour guide highlighted, such as major academic programs.

Sometimes odd things will stick out. On a tour of a college in Oregon, my tour guide sported a shock of blue hair. I wrote it down and now, six years later, I still remember it. Anything that will help you remember the tour will be immensely valuable as you try to recall certain colleges.

Ask your tour guide for his or her e-mail address
When you visit a school that you enjoy (or when you have a great tour guide), ask the guide for his or her e-mail address. Then send the guide a short thank-you note with any other questions. As your college search progresses, you’ll have an expert on your side. It will also help you establish a back door link with the admissions office. Like all employees, guides share information. It behooves you for your name to be fresh in their minds. A follow-up e-mail with more questions means that you are serious about your college search.

I spent hours answering e-mail from prospective students who were industrious enough to follow up with me after tours. I forwarded my correspondence to admissions so they would know which prospectives really cared about our college.

Explore on your own
Taking a campus tour does not absolve you from discovering the rest of the campus by yourself! Take your college map to navigate around and see everything you want on your own time.

Conor Riffle graduated from Connecticut College last year with a degree in history. He spent four years as a tour guide, serving as co-coordinator of the program from 2001-2002.

You’ve narrowed your search and are ready to begin the application process. You log onto the college’s Web site, click undergraduate admissions and read, “Common application accepted, supplemental application required.”

What does that mean? Shouldn’t you just submit the application from the college? Not necessarily. If your college accepts a variety of applications, then it doesn’t matter which one you use, says Alice Kleeman, college information specialist at Menlo Atherton High School in California.

And using a different application could mean less work for you!

College-specific applications
Most of the colleges in the U.S. have their own college-specific applications. There are generally three to four separate forms in a college-specific application, including an application, teacher recommendation, an official report card and a midyear school report, which is often simply a transcript.

Some colleges may only require one or two of these forms; others may require them all.

The one form that will be yours to complete and mail (or submit online) is the application itself. If you decide to apply online, register at the college’s Web site. From there, with your login name and password, you can revise your application as many times as you’d like. It becomes final when you press the send button.

The Common Application
The Common Application is accepted by 299 colleges and universities as of August 2006. The Common Application is designed so that you can apply to several colleges with just one application. A complete college list of the schools that accept the Common Application is available online, with the option to also submit your application through the web.

The Common Application consists of four separate forms: the application, school report, teacher evaluation and midyear report. Make as many copies of the teacher evaluation or recommendation as the application requires. Fill out the top portions and pass them along to the teachers you’ve selected to write them. The teachers will mail their evaluations directly to the colleges.

Fill out the top portion of the midyear report and give it to your guidance counselor for completion. Your counselor will mail it directly to the college.

Applying online 
Many colleges highly recommend applying online. (Think of it as saving some trees and stamps.) When you fill out an application online, print out a copy of the form to use as a rough draft.

“It was really confusing at first,” says Jessica Scott, who graduated high school in 2005. “But once I read the directions online and saw the different forms needed to complete the application, it wasn’t too bad.”

Supplemental application
Most schools on your college list that accept the Common Application also require a college-specific supplemental application. You get the supplemental application, which is just one form, from the college. It can usually be mailed or done online. You can work on it as often as you’d like online; it’s final when you press send.

Pulling it all together
These forms are filed in your folder as the college receives them. When the deadline arrives, each folder containing all the required forms is considered a complete application. Even though you have several people helping you out, it is still your responsibility to make sure everything gets to the college. So follow up with your counselors, teachers and future colleges!

In a nutshell
• The Common Application has four forms and can be done online or mailed in.
• Colleges accepting the Common Application generally also require you to fill out a supplemental application.
• College-specific applications work only for that specific college.
• No matter which application you use, it is your responsibility to verify that the college has received all the forms.
• Be sure to read the directions for each college’s application process.

Name: Diana Bish
Age: 26
School: Ohio University in Athens
Hometown: Eastlake, Ohio

What helped me choose a college: I initially picked it because it was ranked number one in the state for my major. When I visited, I saw that the campus was gorgeous. It was the perfect size, and I could see myself loving being there for four years.

Best thing about your school: There was always something to do, a place to sit and be cozy and something to become part of. You had your choice of activities, and everyone seemed to want to be friends rather than waste energy avoiding relationships.

Worst thing: I loved the red brick sidewalks on campus, but they were difficult to navigate in the winter when they were covered in snow and ice.

Fun fact/club/activity about my school: The Burrito Buggy. Bright orange and parked at the corner of the major uptown crossroads, you have to stop and have one. A very affordable and gluttonous treat after an evening uptown with your friends!

My extracurricular activities: Advertising sales for the school newspaper, The Post; Society of Professional Journalists; promotions/marketing director for the student center.

Name: Liz Rosenthal
Age: 21
School: Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Va.
Major: English
Hometown: Beverly, Mass.
 

What helped me choose a college: I wanted to go to a college outside of New England, and Mary Washington was the best college academically for the price. The campus is also beautiful.

Best thing about your school: The size of the school is great. With about 4,000 students, it allows you to make close friends right away and, more importantly, keep them. Some of my best friends are people who were in my dorm freshman year.

Worst thing: The administration is difficult to work with sometimes. The food isn’t anything to write home about, either.

Fun fact/club/activity about my school: Something that I think really makes Mary Washington unique is that it does not have a Greek system. This makes the social scene less competitive, and there is no sense of needing to fit in to a certain social group. Overall, this just makes it a much less stressful environment.

Name: Laura Parvey
Age: 22
School: University of Montana in Missoula
Hometown: Dillon, Mont

What helped me choose a college: The university offered a strong academic opportunity, and it had the only journalism program in the state of Montana. Lower-division class sizes were pretty small, and upper-division class sizes averaged a decent 20 people.

Best thing about your school: The university has a community atmosphere with a gorgeous campus. On nice days, it isn’t uncommon to see professors teaching outside, games of Frisbee, students playing with their dogs, someone playing his guitar and people just communing at the center of campus in a courtyard area called the Oval.

Worst thing: The lack of state funding is definitely at the top of the list. Fun fact about my school: We’ve got the best mascot in the U.S., literally. Our Grizzly mascot, Monte, is the 2003 Mascot of the Year!

Extracurricular activities: Working for the college newspaper took up most of my time. I would try to sneak out of the newsroom for some hiking or biking. I was also a member of Golden Key National Honor Society. I also volunteered for the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar

Name: Andy Allen
Age: 21
School: University of Dayton
Hometown: Rochester, N.Y.

What helped me choose a college: It was referred to me by a relative, so I visited and loved the atmosphere.

Best thing about your school: Unique housing scheme of university-owned town houses in a city block for juniors and seniors creates a sense of community.

Worst thing: The drive from my hometown to Dayton takes more than seven hours.

Fun fact/club/activity about my school: Christmas on Campus. More than 3,000 inner-city children in kindergarten through second grade are bussed to campus and adopted by students for a night of toys, games, crafts, Christmas lights and of course, Santa.

My extracurricular activities: Music ministry, community theater, Christmas on Campus, intramural sports.

Name: Dulari Mehta
Age: 25
School: University of Missouri-Columbia College of Business
Major: Business management
Minor: Art history
Hometown: Cedar Hill, Texas

What helped me choose a college: I first wanted to be a journalism major. Mizzou was big enough to have many opportunities and small enough to leave my mark.
Best thing about your school: The contacts and opportunities presented to me at the College of Business gave me an incredible foundation on which to build, no matter where I went or what career I pursued.
Worst thing: It needs more diverse and updated curricula to prepare students, theoretically speaking.

You’ve looked through viewbook after viewbook, clicked through every college finder, and you still haven’t had the epiphany you imagined your Dream College would conjure. So what exactly is it that you’re looking for in your Perfect School, anyway?

No matter what pretty pics those viewbooks show you, there’s more to your college choice than fabulous landscaping and classes in your intended major. Here’s what to consider when searching for your best college match.

Diversity
Do you want to attend a college where you share an ethnicity or religion with most of your fellow students? Consider a religiously affiliated college, a historically black or Hispanic-serving college or university. Would you rather meet a diverse range of students? A large public university might be for you. If it’s diversity you’re looking for, remember that it is reflected in more than just ethnicity percents. Look for signs of a diverse community in the variety of clubs and organizations offered, the kinds of activities advertised on campus billboards and what issues the student newspaper covers.

Retention rate
When you’re on a school tour, ask an admissions rep about the college’s retention rate. You’ll be asking how many people finish their degrees at the school compared to how many started the process there. As a follow-up to your question, ask what kind of services the college offers to increase your chances of success. Are there writing labs, tutors, advisement centers? 

Size
Do you want a big or a small college? You might be surprised to learn that just because a school has a lot of students doesn’t mean your chances for small classes or professor interaction are cut short. Even at the largest universities, you’ll be assigned to a small discussion group or lab as a required component of many of your large lecture classes. And how much you interact with your peers, offer your opinion in class or get to know your professors is largely up to you no matter the size of your school.

So instead of searching for a school’s population when using a college finder, consider the variety of majors it offers instead. Are there enough programs that you’ll be able to pursue your interests in both economics and photojournalism? Be sure there are at least two major programs in which you’re interested. That will prevent you from feeling restricted to your initial career choice.

Location
One reason to consider an in-state school is that you’ll avoid the increased tuition that out-of-state students often face. In addition to potential tuition differences, a college finder can help to factor in the traveling costs to and from your Dream College. How often can you afford to come home if you’re going to school on an opposite coast? Talk to your family to decide when you’ll come home, who will pay for your travel and what kind of transportation you’ll use.

Special programs
How does the degree program at the college you’re considering prepare you for a career? Are co-ops or internships required? Is studying abroad encouraged? Will any classes you’ve taken at a community college transfer? Are there honors programs, interesting elective classes or unique hands-on learning options in which you can participate?

When trying to decide the selection criteria for your college, keep an open mind as to what you can and can’t live without. The most important features of a college are the strength of its programs, its contacts in the field and how you feel about it—not the strength of its nearby malls or the landscaping of the quad. Pay attention to your gut reaction, but make sure you’re informed of all a college’s opportunities before making your final decision.

Maximize your visits
When considering college selection criteria, nothing can beat an actual college visit. Use these tips when planning an on-campus tour.

Attend a class
Arrange through the admissions office to sit in one of the classes required for your intended major. Ask to be paired with a student in that class who can show you around and answer any questions.

Ask questions
Faculty and staff will be happy to answer your questions. Use your tour guides to get a student perspective.

Stay overnight
The students who volunteer to host prospective students overnight are often the most active students on campus. Take advantage of their knowledge! Ask them to show you the best dining halls, the recreation center, student lounges and other fun places to go on campus.