College Search Questions

How far from home do you want to be?

It is time to deal with the reality of who you are and if you should really be closer to home or further away. A guide you may wish to use is: up to 2 hours from home; 2-4 hours from home; 4-8 hours from home; a plane trip from home. Each distance changes your contact with home and your parents' ability to visit you while you are in college. This may be especially important if you would like them to see you in an athletic event or in a stage performance. It also affects how frequently you can go home. You should consider the ease and cost of arranging for transportation to and from home.

Have you identified a major, a career direction, or general area of study?

If you have a major or majors in mind, that should be a first in your search. If you have not found a major that is interesting to you, you can continue your search without identifying a major. However, you should continue to investigate career possibilities. All computer searches and a number of printed sources have lists of colleges with your preferred field of study. Some lists such as for English may last several pages while others, such as Pharmacy, may have relatively few colleges. Some colleges and universities offer special programs for students who have an interest in medicine, dentistry, law, and several other fields. In these programs, you are admitted to the undergraduate college and the professional school at the same time. If you would like to learn more about how your interests can lead to a career and potential major in college, Mapping-Your-Future, a free web service, can assist you. Click on to this link for free career planning information: http://mapping-your-future.org/features/careership/.

Many students enter college with an area of interest and change their direction while in college. Still others have not made up their mind about a career direction or a major. Colleges understand this and as a result, many colleges allow students to start college as "undecided" about a major.

Think in terms of urban, suburban, or rural environments.

When in a large city, or close to a large city, the city may exert a powerful influence on you and your collegiate experience. Is this what you are looking for as part of your experience? Suburban locations may seem ideal as the balance between urban and rural but if you like to be in the woods or hills, they can still be quite a distance from you. At the same time, even in a suburban location, unless the college offers easy transportation from your campus, the city can be quite difficult to access. The rural environment is probably ideal for someone who wants to be away from external influences and may want to be close to the hills and woodlands they enjoy, but can be dreadful for someone who needs the excitement, energy, and offerings of a major city. Think about what these choices mean to you.

Academically, what degree of challenge is best for you?

How do you respond to pressure-laden environments? Are you looking for a school where you can participate in some activities or one where most of your time would be devoted to classroom work? Are you comfortable with the idea that you may be near the middle or lower part of your college class or do you prefer being near the top of your college class? These questions relate directly to the demands and intensity of a college situation. How you respond is important to your success academically and to your emotional well being over the next several years.

Selectivity in the admissions process is a key consideration in formulating a final list of college applications.

There are degrees of selectivity in admissions with some colleges admitting 10%-15% of its applicants; while on the other end of the spectrum, some colleges admit virtually all applicants. It is fine to apply to your dream school regardless of the degree of difficulty in being admitted, but be sure that you apply to some that have less rigorous admissions standards. Later, you will read about levels of difficulty and some new terminology.

Are internships, study abroad, independent study, core curriculum, and required courses important to you?

If any of these are in your "must have" or "avoid" lists, make them part of your college search.

Begin to think about diversity and what role it plays in your college plans.

Ask yourself if a racially, socially, religiously, or academically diverse population is one you must have or want to avoid. Do you want to replicate your current high school or community experience, or are you looking for something different?

Cost is a concern for most families and each family must determine its own level of financial comfort.

It is vital that all families discuss limits early on in the process. It is equally important to recognize that financial aid is available and families should feel free to discuss their individual circumstances with college financial aid officers. For some families, the final family contribution may be the same regardless of whether the college costs $10,000 or $45,000.

Sports, clubs, and activities may have been important to you in high school.

Do you want to continue with those same activities or investigate some new interests? What is available on each campus community that appeals to you? Would intramural sports satisfy your need to play sports or would you be satisfied only with intercollegiate sports? If you want to play intercollegiate sports, you need to be aware of the Division (I, II, or III) you want to play in and whether you need to register with the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse. Do you want to be a part of theater productions, sing in the chorus, or play in the college orchestra or band? Will those opportunities be available to you if you don't major in that particular field of study? Have you always wanted to host your own radio program? Can you? These and other questions should be considered and don't be afraid to ask them of college representatives. In the "Campus Visits" and "College Interview" sections, you will be given clues on how to prepare yourself for these questions.

As you make college choices, how important are the views of your friends, family, or others in your selections?

Realistically, they may be more concerned with name recognition, prestige, and reputation. You, however, may be more concerned about finding a place that will challenge you, yet allow you to succeed; a place that will allow you to be engaged in other activities that make you human; a place that will allow you choices; a place from which you will graduate and be a healthy and productive adult.

Learn to set priorities.

If you can find a place that has everything you want and need to be successful (and you can be admitted), that is wonderful. If such a place does not exist, then what are your priorities? List them in order of importance and see which other colleges will fit you and your plans. It may be a good idea to look at the "My School Profile" section and do or redo it.