Ten Easy Rules to Find the Right College

Choosing a college is far less difficult than most people think. There are just ten rules to remember.

1. Never make your final college selection without visiting at least your top two or three choices. No matter how well you think you know a college or university, you can learn a lot (good or bad) by spending a few hours on campus, including whether or not the college feels like a good "fit" for you. Bringing family members on college visits is a good idea because it gives you extra "eyes and ears" as well as people with whom you can discuss your impressions.

2. If you follow only one of the ten rules, make it rule #1.

3. Don't make the common mistake of thinking that the colleges you have heard the most about are the best colleges (or the best colleges for you). Often, the colleges students hear the most about are those closest to their homes and/or those whose athletic teams appear on television regularly.

4. Take the extra step of identifying and investigating at least three colleges you know almost nothing about but offer the major in which you are interested, are in locations you like, and have admissions criteria which make you a good candidate. You might be very pleasantly surprised at what you find.

5. There are very few worse reasons to select a college than because your friends are going there. Choosing a college because your girlfriend or boyfriend is headed there is one them. In fact, if there is a worse reason to choose a college, it escapes me.

6. You are sure to hear people make generalizations about colleges. Many are baseless. Be careful not to be unduly influenced by people who say a college is a "good school", a "party school", a "jock school", etc. Investigate and judge for yourself.

7. Do not consider cost when putting together a list of colleges to investigate. That may sound strange, but it makes perfect sense because you really can not know how much it will cost you to attend a college until you have determined what kinds of scholarships or other financial aid you might be eligible to receive.

8. You may have to contend with ACT deadlines, SAT deadlines, scholarship deadlines, financial aid deadlines, and college application deadlines. Close your eyes for thirty seconds and imagine how stupid you will feel if you fail to get into a college or get money for which you qualify because you miss a deadline. Then, to avoid feeling stupid, write down all operative deadlines and check them often.

9. Most students (not all) should probably apply to at least eight colleges. Three should be "reach" colleges...colleges you are excited about but might need some luck to be admitted to. As the lottery ads say, "you never know", and your odds of getting into most colleges are better than your odds of winning the lottery. Then, carefully pick at least three colleges you really like and are likely to be admitted to. I say "carefully" because chances are you'll wind up at one of these colleges. Finally, choose two "safe" colleges...places you like which are virtually certain to offer you admission. Choose these colleges carefully too, so you'll have a good place to land if all else fails.

10. With a little luck, you'll get into several colleges you like. Although that may make your final decision a bit difficult, can you think of a better problem to have? At this final and critical point, ask for input from those who know you best and whose judgement you most trust. Then, make your final college selection and don't second guess yourself. Realize that the steps you took getting to this point almost assure that you have made a good choice and that the next four years of your life will be a great adventure.

Daniel Kane has worked in high schools, colleges, and universities for more than thirty years. He has websites on subjects including online education and online degrees and scholarships .
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