Choosing a college can be overwhelming, but if you break it down into a few steps, it will be a lot more manageable. Start by understanding the different types of colleges:
All types of colleges offer financial aid opportunities. FAFSA is a financial aid application requirement for every college, and some colleges (usually private colleges) also require the CSS Profile. A well-rounded college list should include both private and public schools.
Next, consider the following factors and prioritize:
After you prioritize which factors are important to you, start researching colleges and creating a list. The more you learn about each college, the more you can narrow down your list. A strong college list will include 6-10 colleges, with a few to which you are "likely" to be accepted, a few "targets", and a few "reaches." The College Board Big Future search is a great tool to help you narrow it down and assess whether or not you are likely to be admitted to each college: