Choosing a college is far less difficult than most people think. There are just ten rules to remember.
1. Don't even think about making a final college choice without visiting at least your top two choices...more if possible. Visits are the only reliable way to learn about the campus environments of the colleges you are considering and how good a "fit" you might be. And bring your parents along if you can...you might find their impressions helpful.
2. If you follow only one of the ten rules, make it rule #1.
3. A college with a familiar name might be a great choice for you. Then again, it may not. Don't be too influenced by name recognition alone.
4. Take the time to identify and check out three or more colleges unfamiliar to you which would seem likely to admit you, offer the major(s) in which you are interested, and are located in areas in which you would like to spend four years. With any luck, you'll discover some great new options.
5. Choosing a college because your friends are or will be attending is just plain stupid. Choosing a college because your boyfriend/girlfriend is or will be attending is even dumber.
6. College-bound students often get lots of input from well meaning family and friends. Unfortunately, much of it is inaccurate. Be careful when folks categorize a college as "too expensive", "impossible to get into", "a party school", "a top liberal arts school", etc. There is a lot of misinformation out there, and people often mindlessly pass on what they hear. Find out for yourself what is true and what isn't, and beware of people who oversimplify and over generalize.
7. Do not rule out colleges early because of cost. Many colleges offer scholarships, financial aid, and tuition installment plans that make them far more affordable than they may first appear. You can't/won't know how much it will cost to attend a college until the very end of the process.
8. Deadlines, whether for college applications, SAT or ACT registration, financial aid, scholarships, campus housing, etc. are not suggestions. Miss a deadline and you may find yourself in deep water. Write down and adhere to all deadlines.
9. Apply to three categories of colleges; "reach" colleges, "probable" colleges, and "safe" colleges. Reach or "stretch" colleges are colleges you like but may well be denied admission to. You might just be pleasantly surprised is you take a chance on a few reach schools. Probables are colleges which admit most students with your profile. My recommendation is that you apply to at least three probables to ensure yourself good options when it's time to make your final decision. Lastly, find and apply to two safe colleges where your chances of admission are close to 100% and where you believe you would be happy. Remember, if you do a good job picking safe schools you'll be immune to disappointment, so take time to do a good job.
10. When it is time to make your final choice, discuss your options with your family, your counselor (if you have one), and others who know you well and whose judgement you value. If you have a tough time choosing among two or more colleges or universities it is probably because you have done a good job putting together your list and you will be happy at whichever institution you choose. Just make your choice and don't agonize over itsome of the best years of your life are ready to begin.
Daniel Kane has worked in high schools, colleges, and universities for more than thirty years. He has websites on subjects including online degree programs and education online . Click here to get your own unique version of this article.
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