College Applications

Students should consider a variety of factors when choosing a college. Be sure to speak with your families, teachers, and counselors and to consider the following factors when looking at colleges:

• Cost: What will your total annual costs be, including tuition and fees, room and board, books, travel and other expenses? Does the school participate in the federal student aid programs?

• Location: This is a biggie. Do you move away or not? If you decide you might go to a school away from home, factor in the cost of traveling to and from school for holiday and semester breaks.

• On campus or off: If you go to a school nearby, do you want to live at home, in an on-campus dorm/residence hall or in private, off-campus housing? If you attend a school away from home, do you want to live in an on-campus dorm or in private housing? These decisions may require you to balance cost versus other factors, such as your independence and lifestyle.

• Size: Do you want a small, intimate setting? A school that’s big enough to be a city by itself? Or something in between?

• Majors and concentrations offered: If you have an idea of what you want to study, does the school offer that major? Does their program have a good reputation? If you aren’t sure what you want to study, does the school give you plenty of options?

• Flexibility: If you need to work full-time while you go, does the school have night courses or other options to accommodate you? Will they let you go part-time? Do they offer summer courses?

• Admission requirements:What academic standards (grade point average, required courses, etc.) do you have to meet in high school to get in? Which tests will you have to take?

• Campus life: Does the school offer activities and social opportunities you like?

• Religious affiliation: Do you want to attend a school associated with a particular religion?

• Diversity: Will you feel comfortable with the makeup of the student body?

• Career services: Does the school have programs with a good track record for helping graduates find good jobs?