The Internet makes it easier than ever to locate and learn about colleges. Nearly every school has a Web site with a wealth of information.
If you don’t already have some particular schools in mind, there are Web sites that can help you identify colleges based on location, size, tuition, majors, sports, GPA, etc.
Here are a few:
College directories at your high school or public library, high school guidance counselors and college fairs can be good sources of information. But remember, while you can learn a lot online, some questions are best asked of an admissions counselor or a current student. And there is no substitute for a college visit, where you can get a feel for the school as well as answers to your questions.
There are a number of good books that can help you evaluate the schools you might be considering. Here are a few:
- Colleges that Change Lives by Loren Pope
- Looking Beyond the Ivy League by Loren Pope
- Harvard Schmarvard by Jay Mathews
- Colleges that Encourage Character Development by the John Templeton Foundation
Be sure to read the college's mission statement. It will tell you something about the school's approach to education, its priorities and its values, all of which can help you decide if the college is right for you.
Once you have identified schools that interest you, begin to narrow the field. Talk with students. You can often do this online through the college’s Web site, or ask an admissions counselor to put you in touch with some students. Ask them what they like and don’t like about the school and whether it has some of the things you are looking for.
VERY IMPORTANT: Don't make a final decision until you have visited the colleges you are considering. College visits can be scheduled at any time, but often there are special days when you can see more and learn more than you would during a normal visit. Contact the college admissions office for these dates, or check the school's Web site in August or September.
