College Search

From LoveToKnow College

The college search is an unforgettable moment in a student's life, the culmination of years of study and the promise of a bright future.

College Search

Gathering Information

Websites have almost surpassed the traditional college catalog in the college search process. You can find lists of departments and majors, the dates of home football games, student job postings, links to student organizations, and much more. Some schools even offer virtual tours, allowing you to walk across campus, visit classroom buildings, and see a typical dorm.

The traditional brochure or catalog is still around, though. Pamphlets are easy to flip through, compare and sort, and they give you the basic details of a college without spending hours following link after link on a university website. When you take the SAT or ACT, there is a box you can check to have your test results shared with interested schools, who can then mail you literature. Colleges often provide brochures to high schools, and even universities with the latest high-tech websites usually have a form available for requesting more information through the mail.

You can also talk to representatives when they visit your school, although you're likely to only learn about in-state schools this way. Some schools just set up an informational table at lunch while others offer an entire presentation and question and answer session. Visit your guidance office to find out the upcoming schedule and to register for presentations you wish to attend.

Refining The College Search

What are you looking for in a school? Consider the following points before deciding on your ideal college:

  • Size - Would you prefer a college smaller than your high school or a large state university with 40,000 students?
  • Type of school - Think about whether you would prefer a public or private college.
  • Distance from home - Do you want to escape and only return home for Christmas, or would you like to go to school close enough to make weekend visits possible?
  • In-state or out-of-state - Are you satisfied with your state's educational offerings, or are you willing to pay extra for a special program in another state?
  • Religious affiliation - If you'd like to be surrounded by like-minded students, there are hundreds of schools founded in a specific religious tradition.
  • Rankings - Some students seek out the prestige of attending a top school.
  • Possible major - Once you've decided what career fields interest you, compare the offerings in those areas at each potential school.
  • Campus life - Are you looking to get involved with student government, the Greek system or a community service group? Find out the offerings ahead of time so you're not disappointed when you arrive for the first day of school.
  • Potential jobs and internships - Does the school provide internship programs in your major or a chance to work on research alongside professors?

Considering Cost

Some college options are by their very nature more costly than others. Private colleges don't receive state funding, so they're more dependent on tuition to pay operating costs. If you choose to attend an out-of-state college, you'll pay a premium for traveling the extra distance. But even in-state, public tuition is far from cheap in most locations.

One popular choice for saving money on tuition costs is to start your college years at a local community college. This allows you to complete your basic education requirements while paying cheaper tuition. You'll also save money on living expenses since you can stay at home instead of living in a dorm. Just be careful not to let parking fees and gas costs negate any savings.

While you should be aware of costs in your college search, you should also consider the possibility of scholarships, grants and loans to help you finance the best education possible.

Visiting The School

While reading brochures and visiting websites can give you a feel for a school and help you narrow your college search, it's essential to visit a school before deciding to attend.

Keep an eye out for special recruitment events, tailored to interested students. Once you're there, you'll want to take an official guided tour and attend any available informational sessions. Some colleges offer special visits allowing you to shadow a current student for the day, attending all his or her classes and even spending the night in a dorm for a taste of the complete college experience. If you're not visiting as part of an event, try to set up meetings with an admissions counselor and department heads in any potential majors. Take notes and compare your findings after visiting each school.

Sometimes you have to turn to unscientific measures to determine your opinion of a school. How does the campus make you feel when you're visiting? Do the passing students seem friendly, or are they rude when you ask for directions? Do you like the overall look of campus? Does the architecture inspire you or do you feel like you're in a soulless institution? Can you truly picture yourself spending four or five years there?


 


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