| When it comes to determining the suitable college, it's | | | | close to friends and family who can advise you when |
| all about concentrating on you. Getting into the right | | | | inevitable problems arise? While you may have a |
| college is one of the most relevant decisions you will | | | | greater chance of being accepted by a college in a |
| make in your life. It not only alters the next four | | | | distant location, remember also that the distance can |
| years, but will, have deep-rooted effects throughout | | | | also greatly effect your personal finances. Think |
| your life. | | | | about how independent you want to be from your |
| Your personal goals may include 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 often offer lower |
| likely fancy a fast-paced up-to-date setting with a | | | | tuition, and simpler college admissions forms, |
| huge student body and a expansive array of social | | | | especially for residents. According to the College |
| activities. But whatever your priorities are, they are | | | | Board, the standard cost of a state university is |
| the starting position for deciding on exactly the | | | | approximately $5,000, compared with $20,000 for a |
| suitable college for you. And to help you decide on | | | | private college. But private colleges often offer more |
| the suitable college, conscientiously think about the | | | | financial aid, and college admission aid which may |
| college admission methods. | | | | reduce the difference. Be sure, also, to ask about |
| To help you determine your goals, consider the | | | | course offerings: with recent budget cutbacks, many |
| following issues: | | | | state universities plan for fewer sections of required |
| What really interests you? | | | | classes. It can sometimes be the case that, state |
| Of course your chosen major should be a cardinal | | | | schools are preferable for their large classes, while |
| factor in choosing a college. So do your research | | | | private colleges tend to offer a more personal |
| carefully. Check out the college requirements through | | | | approach. |
| the college admission process. Talk to the teachers, | | | | Small or large? |
| current students, alumni, and college admission staff. | | | | Think carefully about the pros and cons of different |
| Determine what makes the program at their college | | | | sized schools. Do you prefer a small town feel or a |
| better than another school. Ask about possibilities for | | | | large city feel? Remember that most large schools, |
| research, field placement, internships, and mentoring | | | | while usually having a better selection of majors and |
| programs. And look around at the campus | | | | classes, will also have less professor to student |
| facilities-are the labs, art studios, and recreation areas | | | | interaction because classes are, out of necessity, |
| 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 pros and cons to each. In a large city, |
| You should contact the college admissions office in | | | | there are limitless options that can sweeten your |
| order to find out if the college is a good match for | | | | college experience. If you're a nature lover who |
| you. | | | | prefers hiking, kayaking, or cross-country skiing, you |
| How independent are you? | | | | might be happier at a school located in the country. |
| Heading off for college is a landmark change in | | | | Or, if you're looking for the best of both worlds, you |
| anyone's life. The distance away from your family | | | | likely think about a suburban college with a |
| and friends will play a big role in where you choose to | | | | flower-filled premises and easy access to the city. |
| go to school. Your willingness to go far away will be | | | | As you search for just the right college-always keep |
| largely determined by your level of independence. Do | | | | an open mind about your choices-this will lead you to |
| you want to leave your hometown and do | | | | the place that is best for you. |
| everything on your own or do you want to stick | | | | |