For hight school students it is a huge decision, one that can have an effect on the rest of their lives. What college should they go to? For some it is an easy decision, if they have a particular career in mind and there are only certain schools where they can get the education they need, the decision is made for them.
For most students though, there are hundreds of schools out there, so how do you decide which one is right for you? As students and parents start their search, here are a few things to consider.
Image by anneohirsch via Flickr
How far away from home do you want to be? Do you feel the need to be close to your family and want to go home on weekends? In this case you should target your search for schools with a fairly short ride. If you are looking to get away and make a fresh start for yourself, you can look anywhere in the country. Also take into consideration the location of the school. Do you want to be in the city or are you looking for a big rural campus?
Colleges come in all shapes and sizes. This is important to think about when searching. If you don’t want to be sitting in a class with hundreds of other students, you should narrow your search to smaller schools.
Cost is also a big factor for many students. You may be limited by schools that are less expensive or offer better financial assistance.
As you take all these things into consideration make a list of schools that fit. Then go visit and ask lots of questions to find out more.
