How to Choose a College That's Right for You

Great, you've decided to go to college! You have now significantly increased your chances of pursuing a more prestigious career path than your high school educated peers. In addition, you have made the decision to embark on a journey that will not only test your mind, but also broaden your understanding of who you are and what you hold true. So you've earned the grades to apply to a few universities, but now the hardest task of all remains: deciding what college or university to attend.

A college is more than just a school. A college or university is the home of the students it harbors, for often many very critical years of a young student's life. Therefore, choosing a school based on paternal influence, stereotypes heard from peers, and other outside sources may be detrimental to a student's decision. It is important for students to keep in mind several key things when choosing a school. Following certain guidelines and asking oneself certain questions may help students avoid choosing a college or university that is right for someone else, and not them.

The first and most important consideration to take into account when selecting your institution of higher education is grades. OK, this isn't such a personal matter and may not lead you to the perfect school, however it's the first thing to consider. It is important to look at schools that are applicable to your transcripts.

Alright, now that we've gotten that taken care of, let's consider some factors that will focus on you and making you happy. One important thing to consider when perusing through all of the university and college brochures arriving daily at your home is atmosphere. You should evaluate what type of campus atmosphere by considering environments you've been exposed to in your life that you've enjoyed. For example if you were born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and you love the high energy atmosphere of a world-class city, a school in Lincoln Nebraska may not be the best choice for you because of the difference in population and energy.

Another important factor to take into consideration is extra curricular activities offered. If you enjoy getting involved in sports and activities, larger public universities may offer a broader scope of opportunities.

And what about politics and religion? These controversial issues may make or break the deal for a college student. Certainly take into consideration a campus' political climate. A strict and involved conservative may not fair well in the liberal water of Berkley, but may thrive at some private institutions. Furthermore, if religion is an important aspect of your life that you would like to continue through school perhaps a religiously affiliated school will suit you best.

Of course one thing to think seriously about when heading to college is programs offered. And one thing NOT to do is focus too heavily on prestige. Pick a school that offers what you are interested in and one that is strong in that department. Do not apply to a school because it is "the best".
The final item to consider, but not too heavily is price. It is necessary to consider price tags when making this personal investment, however do not simply eliminate a school because of it's price. Private schools, especially, offer great financial aid packages that can often make them just as affordable as public universities. Furthermore, a multitude of scholarships are available from the school and independent sites, and you don't have to be a top tier student to earn one. www.fastweb.com is a great resource for students seeking scholarships.

So good luck, have fun, and think for yourself. College will affect you more than anyone else, so make sure you chose for you. A great resource to find information on many of the topics listed above is www.princetonreview.com . Happy hunting!