Research, research, research. That is the key in helping you decide how to choose a college that is right for you, considering that there are about 3,000 colleges in the US. This section will help you explore the criteria that are important in making your selection. It will provide a basic overview of the variables for your consideration.

Do you want to go to a four-year university or a two-year community college? Is your ultimate goal to be on an academic track that will ultimately lead to graduate or professional schools, such as law or medicine? Or are you more interested in say, a technical school for computer science so you can enter the workplace as quickly as possible?

Narrow down the most important characteristics of the colleges on your list. Start with a list of about 10-20 schools so you can whittle down the choices. Read through the categories below to help you identify the factors that are most important to you in choosing a college and then start your research project!

Home vs. Away

Will you be a commuter student living at home or at least go to a college within driving distance from home? Or is the idea of studying in another part of the country and living independently more of what you had in mind? Give this serious consideration because being too strict about your college location could severely restrict your choices. Do a cross-country search - from Northeast to Midwest - to see how geographic locations stack up to your needs.

Uptown or Small Town

Is the dazzle of a big-city, urban setting with easy access to culture and entertainment suited to your personality, or does the sedate environment of a small, college town appeal to you more? Compare a rural school such as the prominent, liberal arts school Williams College, surrounded by mountains and forests, to an urban giant such as UCLA which is cut into a big city landscape. Research both types of schools to see what they have to offer before discounting either as 'not your style'.

Size Matters

The size of the college matters for many reasons beyond the size of the student body. It can affect the variety of academic majors offered. Compare the curriculum of a smaller liberal arts college to that of a larger university that might offer more programs. Do you want more of a one-on-one relationship with professors where they actually know your name or do you prefer being a 'small fish in a big pond'? It might be a good idea to compare both small and large enrollment pools--from 1,000 students to 35,000--to see where you fit in. You will also want to consider how many extracurricular activities are available to students in either setting.

Academics Count

A school's academics should figure prominently on your list of criteria. Let's not forget that this is all about getting a good education. Reputation and rankings count when it comes to selecting a college but it doesn't have to be a so-called 'Tier One' school for you to receive a fine education. Research the academic departments in the fields of study in which you are interested to find out how extensive their programs are. If you are not sure what your major will be it might be best to choose a school that offers a broad range of programs.

Life on Campus

Weigh the importance of what your daily life will be like outside of the classroom. Does the college offer many extracurricular activities, athletics or cultural choices? Is the college the backbone of the community? Are fraternities and sororities a big part of campus life? Are there ethnic or religious organizations with which you might want to be involved? Finding a healthy balance between all these factors might be the key for you.

Money Matters

Yes, money matters but keep in mind that colleges are stretching the limits of their financial aid to attract qualified students to their schools. More students from diverse economic backgrounds are attending college than ever before in the history of this nation. The most important step in meeting the significant cost of college is filling out the federal student aid form (FAFSA) to determine how much aid you will qualify for. http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ Each college has different criteria for scholarship awards, from need-based to merit-based and those dollars might be the deciding factor in your selection.

Research, Research, Research

Now your research project begins. If you haven't already narrowed down your list of choices, try this tool to see which schools and programs match your needs. These people will help you gauge your chances of admission to your selected colleges. Be aware, there are fees associated with this service.

---