![]() What to Look for in a College: 7 Factors to ConsiderĬhoosing a college to attend is a big decision, and students should carefully weigh their options to determine which school is ultimately right for them. Gathering ample information about your target schools can better prepare you to choose your college and find an institution that's the best fit for you. ![]() For example, the school that offered the most money may allow for the least amount of debt, but what if it doesn't offer a campus culture that aligns with your needs? Step 5: Weigh the Pros and Cons of Each CollegeĪfter completing the steps above, it's time to sit down with a trusted advisor to weigh the pros and cons of each college and see which one best meets your criteria. By evaluating financial aid award letters and comparing annual costs, you can get a clearer sense of your true out-of-pocket costs. If you're aiming to graduate with little to no debt, a higher financial aid package could be the determining factor that helps you pick a school. In addition to funding provided by the federal government through the FAFSA, you can receive financial aid packages from individual schools. Step 4: Compare Financial Aid OffersĪfter applying to the colleges on your shortlist, you must wait for acceptance letters and financial aid award letters to arrive. See whether you can readily picture yourself attending. Still, looking at a school's website does not provide the same insight as visiting the campus in person.īy exploring college campuses, you and your family can get a better feel for the institution's culture, ask questions, eat in the cafeteria, and browse on-campus housing. The internet remains an incredible resource for researching colleges and universities, learning about degree programs, and getting to know faculty and staff. Alternatively, a more intimate campus with a liberal arts background may better fit your needs. For instance, you may want a Big 10 experience with a large student body and plenty of campus activities. Knowing what you want and need from the college experience can help whittle down your initial list of schools. Ideally, this list should include 10-15 colleges, all of which should offer majors that align with your interests and professional goals. You'll want to consider a variety of experiences and outcomes before making a final decision. This list can include public and private schools, both local and out of state. Step 1: Make a College ListĮarly in the process, sit down with your parents/guardians or someone you trust, such as your school guidance counselor, to develop a list of colleges that interest you. By following the steps below, you can choose the right college and feel good about your decision. It's not always easy deciding on a college to apply to or attend. How to Compare Colleges and Narrow Your List Understand, though, that by applying to fewer schools, you face a higher risk of getting rejected from all colleges you apply to. Rather than spending application fees at schools they have no interest in attending, these learners may prefer to keep their application pool small, applying to a few schools or even just one. That said, some prospective students have a really good sense of the college or university they want to attend and don't feel compelled to apply to multiple schools. You can divide schools into "reach," "target," and "safety" schools to help ensure you're submitting applications to a balanced mix of institutions. How Many Colleges Should You Apply To?Īccording to most admissions experts, students should apply to between four and 12 schools, depending on their application fee budget. This guide explains how to compare colleges, what to look for in a college, and how to estimate your chances of getting into your dream school. Once you've identified these factors, you can create a shortlist of schools and begin researching them. Ultimately, it's up to you to determine which factors are most important for your lifestyle and what you hope to get out of higher education. Ready to Start Your Journey?Ĭhoosing a college that can help you achieve both your personal and professional goals is critical to your success. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. The Public Ivies, Little Ivies, and Other Ivy League Equivalentsī is an advertising-supported site.Student Resources show submenu for Student Resources
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