5 ways to get a college

My parents, trying to be helpful, told me throughout high school that I had to go to college. I needed to broaden my horizons. An education would help me get a good job. Moving away from home would help me grow up. They had all kinds of advice. The catch was that neither parent told me how to actually pick a college. At 16 or 17 years old, it’s hard to know for certain where you want to move for the next four years. Picking a college is probably the biggest decision you’ve had to make, and there are lots of ways to mess it up. Here’s some advice about what to do, and a few things to not:
1. Get a guidebook One Saturday, I asked my dad for $25 and spent the rest of the weekend digging through a Peterson’s college guide. That massive tome had all sorts of great info, including lists of colleges and universities by state, details about degree programs and statistics on the sizes of incoming classes. College guides and magazines are great bases from which to start gathering information.
2. But don’t stop there You have interests and ideas that need more attention than fine print can provide. Make lists of the things you’re looking for in a college, such as co-ed dorms or credit-transfer options. Make sure the schools you’re considering meet those criteria. Then, check out each school’s Web site to learn what else they have to offer. See what options they have for providing current student feedback to prospective students. Few people will relate to you as well as a college’s current students.
3. Don’t go to a school just because your friends are there Start asking questions to find out which schools your classmates are considering. Ask why they think those colleges are good bets. Don’t stop with high school friends; get in touch with older people who attend college. Find out what they appreciate most about their schools, then ask what they wish they’d known before they got there. But what works for your best friend might not do it for you. You’ll make friends wherever you end up.
4. Don’t rule out other regions When I got to college in the Midwest and found myself surrounded by people saying “y’all,” I tried to remember that whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. But Missouri was a surprisingly nice place to live once I got used to it. I also discovered that my mom was right when she said going out of state would make me more independent. Don’t be afraid to leave home, even for a school in an unfamiliar part of the country. Exposure to new things helps you grow. But don’t rush to move away just because you can. Community colleges and public universities in your state are likely to offer the best financial-aid packages.
5. Don’t limit your options College brochures are designed to sell you something: the college. Just because the book’s pictures show things you like doesn’t mean it’s time to sign the loan form. Small colleges can showcase intimate classes, but are fewer classmates what you want? Or if you grew up in a rural area, will you feel comfortable in a big city? Rule out schools that don’t have the majors you’re interested in, and use visits and personal feedback to pare your other options. Read brochures, visit campuses and talk to students and advisers to help you decide where you’ll be the most comfortable. It could be 1,000 miles from home or right next door.

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