Finding the Right College in Ten Easy Steps

Choosing a college is far less difficult than most people think. There are just ten rules to remember.

1. Never make your final college selection without visiting at least your top two or three choices. No matter how well you think you know a college or university, you can learn a lot (good or bad) by spending a few hours on campus, including whether or not the college feels like a good "fit" for you. Bringing family members on college visits is a good idea because it gives you extra "eyes and ears" as well as people with whom you can discuss your impressions.

2. If you follow only one of the ten rules, make it rule #1.

3. Don't make the common mistake of thinking that the colleges you have heard the most about are the best colleges (or the best colleges for you). Often, the colleges students hear the most about are those closest to their homes and/or those whose athletic teams appear on television regularly.

4. Take the extra step of identifying and investigating at least three colleges you know almost nothing about but offer the major in which you are interested, are in locations you like, and have admissions criteria which make you a good candidate. You might be very pleasantly surprised at what you find.

5. There are very few worse reasons to select a college than because your friends are going there. Choosing a college because your girlfriend or boyfriend is headed there is one them. In fact, if there is a worse reason to choose a college, it escapes me.

6. You are sure to hear people make generalizations about colleges. Many are baseless. Be careful not to be unduly influenced by people who say a college is a "good school", a "party school", a "jock school", etc. Investigate and judge for yourself.

7. Do not consider cost when putting together a list of colleges to investigate. That may sound strange, but it makes perfect sense because you really can not know how much it will cost you to attend a college until you have determined what kinds of scholarships or other financial aid you might be eligible to receive.

8. You may have to contend with ACT deadlines, SAT deadlines, scholarship deadlines, financial aid deadlines, and college application deadlines. Close your eyes for thirty seconds and imagine how stupid you will feel if you fail to get into a college or get money for which you qualify because you miss a deadline. Then, to avoid feeling stupid, write down all operative deadlines and check them often.

9. Don't be afraid to apply to a few "reach schools"you might be pleasantly surprised by the results if you are not entirely unrealistic. Apply to at least three colleges you like which are likely to admit you. Remember, choose these three colleges very carefully as they are the places you are mostly likely to wind up at. And, choose at least two "safety" collegescolleges to which you are virtually certain you will be admitted. Choosing "safety" schools they don't really like is a mistake many students maketake the time to choose safety schools you would be happy to attend.

10. If, when it is time to make your final college choice, you are not sure which institution you should choose, don't be afraid to get some help. Because the real question to be answered is in which college are you most likely to be happy and successful, solicit the opinions of those who know you well and tend to have good judgement. Once you have given some thought to their advice and come to a decision, don't look back. Remember that the steps you have taken throughout the process almost guarantee that you have made a good choice and are on your way to four or five great years.

Article Source: http://www.myaddirectory.com

Daniel Kane has worked in high schools, colleges, and universities for more than thirty years. He has websites on subjects including online degrees and education online.

If You want to use this article on your website then select COPY THIS ARTICLE in the Menu on the right side!

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated