Embedded Files
Choosing a College Major
Check out the College Majors section of the PHS Postsecondary Planning Guide.
Use one of the online resources such as College Majors 101.
Choosing a College That Fits
CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO: College admissions representatives review seven criteria students should consider and rank when trying to find their “right fit” colleges.
Resources for an Effective College Search
SchooLinks (College > School Search)
College Board College Search (Big Future)
College Scorecard (US Dept of Ed site) (video: how to compare schools)
College Navigator (US Dept of Ed site)
Visit college campuses to refine your list.
Determine how far from home you’d be willing to attend college, which parts of the country interest you, etc.
Determine the size of the college that most appeals to you.
Determine the location of the college that most appeals to you (e.g. in a city or in more of a rural setting or college town).
Schedule a campus visit by visiting the admissions webpage of the college at least a few weeks in advance.
School days off, spring break and even Saturdays can be great days to schedule campus visits.
Many colleges offer virtual visits.
Meet college admission reps visiting the PHS Postsecondary Success Center.
Many college admission representatives visit the PSC in the fall and spring. These are a great way for students to find out more about a college, get questions answered and get to know the college rep assigned to Prospect.
CLICK HERE for the list of spring college rep panels. Fall visits will begin in September.
Attend a College Fair.
Plan to attend the D214 College Fair in April at Forest View Educational Center.
Consider attending a NACAC national college fair in Chicago at Navy Pier or in Milwaukee in September.
Look here for questions to ask reps at a fair.
Research Illinois Public Universities.
There are twelve public universities in the state of Illinois. Illinois residents are eligible for in-state tuition for these institutions. Check out the following for more information on Illinois public universities:
At a Glance - Requirements: chart showing mid-50% admission standards, application deadlines, foreign language requirements and more (Jan 2026: resource not yet updated - check back!)
At a Glance - Majors: chart showing the majors offered at each of the 12 colleges (Jan 2026: resource not yet updated - check back!)
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