| If you are approaching the end of high school and | | | | you focus your search. |
| are ready to begin investigating colleges, there are | | | | You should also consider whether you would like to |
| several factors to consider before deciding what | | | | go to a private or a public school. Private schools are |
| college is right for you. Whether you want to study | | | | typically more expensive, but some are also more |
| medicine or painting, accounting or physical education, | | | | prestigious. Private religiously-based schools are also |
| there are hundreds of colleges to choose from, each | | | | an option. Virtually every faith runs at least on college |
| with their own specialized programs of study. | | | | in the United States, and most have several to |
| Narrowing down your options can be a challenging | | | | choose from. If you would rather stick to secular |
| task, but it is important to make an informed choice | | | | schooling, state-supported schools are often your |
| about where to continue your education. | | | | best financial deal. These schools receive support |
| When you are deciding which schools to which you | | | | from the government, in addition to private funding, |
| would like to apply, you should first assess your | | | | so they are typically less expensive and more able to |
| chances of being accepted. If you are a C student | | | | offer larger financial aid packages. |
| with average test scores and no extra-curricular | | | | Location is also an important factor to consider when |
| activities, you might not want to put all of your | | | | you are choosing a college. Think about how close or |
| application eggs in one Ivy League basket. However, | | | | how far away you would like to be from where you |
| if you can afford to, you should always apply to the | | | | grew up. If you want to be within a day's drive of |
| school of your dreams on the off chance that it just | | | | home, consider local and regional schools. However, if |
| might come through for you. If you don't try, you will | | | | you are looking for a cross-country adventure, you |
| never know whether or not you could have gotten | | | | might consider schools in far away states or even |
| in. | | | | consider studying abroad. Some fields of study are |
| If you have made straight A's throughout high school, | | | | better suited to certain geographic locations, as well. |
| have high SAT and ACT test scores and have | | | | For instance, artists can get a real-life education in |
| participated in a wide variety of activities, you have | | | | New York City, whereas actors might consider |
| high chances of getting into any school of your | | | | schooling in California. If marine biology is your chosen |
| choice. Even if you have very limited finances to | | | | field of study, a college with an aquatic location would |
| work with, you should still apply to your top choices. | | | | obviously be the best choice. Geologists often flock |
| If you are accepted, you may be able to receive | | | | to the southwest, and environmentalists often seek |
| scholarships and financial aid, and you always have | | | | education in the northeast. You should consider both |
| the option to take out student loans. | | | | personal your climate preferences and your career |
| When it comes down to narrowing your choices, size | | | | goals when you are choosing a college location. |
| is a very important thing to consider. Some people | | | | Though choosing a college can be stressful, it can |
| like extremely large universities with tens of | | | | also be fun. Remember that college is just the first |
| thousands of students. However, others enjoy the | | | | step on your professional journey, and you will most |
| comfort of a small campus with as few as several | | | | likely change majors, interests, and possibly even |
| hundred students. There are also a variety of | | | | change colleges before you finish your undergraduate |
| colleges that lie in between these two options. | | | | degree. So, make a wise and informed choice with |
| Though it is hard to know before you get there, you | | | | the knowledge that you will probably change your |
| probably have a good idea of your general | | | | mind several times before it is all said and done. |
| preferences regarding school size, and this will help | | | | |