| When it comes to deciding on the right college, it's all | | | | close to friends and family who can advise you when |
| about concentrating on you. Getting into the right | | | | inevitable problems arise? While you may have a |
| college is one of the most vital choices you will make | | | | greater chance of being accepted by a college in a |
| in your life. It not only affects the following four | | | | distant location, remember also that the distance can |
| years, but will, have persisting repercussions | | | | also greatly effect your personal finances. Think |
| throughout your life. | | | | about how independent you want to be from your |
| Your personal goals may consist of things like a tree | | | | family and friends before making your choice. |
| filled campus with stone faced buildings and | | | | How much are you willing to pay? |
| professors who work closely with students. Or you | | | | State places of higher learning usually offer lower |
| might wish a fast-paced contemporary setting with a | | | | tuition, and simpler college admissions forms, |
| massive student body and a wide range of extra | | | | especially for residents. According to the College |
| curricular activities. But whatever your priorities are, | | | | Board, the standard cost of a state university is |
| they are the starting point for deciding on exactly | | | | approximately $5,000, compared with $20,000 for a |
| the right university for you. And to assist you locate | | | | private university. But private colleges often offer |
| the right university, conscientiously think about the | | | | more financial aid, and college admission aid which |
| college admission policies. | | | | may decrease the difference. Be sure, also, to ask |
| To help you define your goals, consider the following | | | | about course offerings: with recent monetary |
| components: | | | | cutbacks, many state universities pay for fewer |
| What really interests you? | | | | sections of required courses. It can sometimes be |
| Obviously your chosen major should be a main key in | | | | the case that, state schools are recognized for their |
| choosing a university. So do your homework carefully. | | | | large classes, while private colleges tend to offer a |
| Look up the college requirements through the college | | | | more personal approach. |
| admission process. Talk to the teachers, current | | | | Small or large? |
| students, alumni, and college admission staff. Ask | | | | Think carefully about the pros and cons of different |
| them what makes the program at their university | | | | sized schools. Do you prefer a small town feel or a |
| better than another school. Ask about opportunities | | | | large city feel? Remember that most large schools, |
| for research, field placement, internships, and study | | | | while usually having a better selection of majors and |
| abroad programs. And take a close look at the | | | | classes, will also have less professor to student |
| campus facilities-are the labs, art studios, and | | | | interaction because classes are, out of necessity, |
| recreation areas fully equipped? | | | | larger. In smaller universities, students feel like they |
| What is realistic? | | | | know their professors and can go to them with |
| Obviously not everyone who applies for any given | | | | academic problems, whereas sometimes students |
| college will be accepted. As a result, many college | | | | attending larger schools feel like they are just lost in |
| applicants end up giving their application money away | | | | the crowd. Whatever you like, the best way to find |
| to universities who barely even consider them. It is | | | | out about a particular college community is to call the |
| very important to research how many students a | | | | college admissions office and schedule a campus visit. |
| particular university is accepting and what kind of | | | | Urban, Rural, or Suburban? |
| grades and test scores they are requiring to get in. | | | | There are good things and bad things about each. In |
| You should contact the college admissions office in | | | | a big city, there are numberless options that can |
| order to find out if the college is a good match for | | | | enrich your college experience. If you're a nature |
| you. | | | | lover who prefers hiking, kayaking, or cross-country |
| How independent are you? | | | | skiing, you might be happier at a school located in the |
| Heading off for college is a landmark change in | | | | country. Or, if you're wanting the best of both |
| anyone's life. The distance away from your family | | | | worlds, you might think about a suburban college with |
| and friends will play a big role in where you choose to | | | | a flower-filled area and easy access to the city. |
| go to school. Your willingness to go far away will be | | | | As you seek just the right university-always keep an |
| largely determined by your level of independence. Do | | | | open mind about your choices-this will lead you to the |
| you want to leave your hometown and do | | | | experience that is proper for you. |
| everything on your own or do you want to stick | | | | |