College Search

The trick to college selection is finding the best college for you. It is helpful to compare the college selection process to a funnel. When you first start the process you are at the large end of the funnel. You are not quite sure what career you want to pursue, or what college you want to attend. You are not unusual; most first-year students are undecided. So relax and let's look at some ways to help you get to the narrow end of the funnel. Ideally, you should start the process in the winter of your junior year of high school. Starting early gives you more time to explore your option and helps to minimize the stress. Consider the following factors:

Career / Major

Choosing a career or major can be difficult. If you think that you want to be an engineer, a writer, or a fashion designer, the search process may be a little easier because you can search for schools that offer your major. If you are undecided about your future, you need to look for schools that offer you the most flexibility. Liberal Arts Colleges, for example, allow you to experience classes from different areas of study. Exploring these options will help you discover an area of interest. Begin to do some research on careers. For instance, if you like to write, try to find out what type of careers require good writers. Refer to the career and job section of our website links to get additional information.

Size

Small, medium or large

Location

State, city, suburban, small town or rural

Major Athletics

Intercollegiate or intramural

Cost

Generally, you should not eliminate colleges based on cost alone. Sometimes, the amount of financial aid that is offered will make even the most expensive college affordable. Although financial aid may help defray the cost of college, you should apply to at least one school that is reasonably affordable.