Question #2 How do you find and choose the perfect college?

Making a Decision

After going through the categories for finding the perfect college, a final decision still has to be made.

It is recommended to always keep your options open.

Apply in terms of threes: Apply to

One school in State

One school locally (sure bet)

One school out of state or a wish school

Campus Visits

Advance planning with the colleges' admission office is important when setting up your visit. No publication, no matter how thorough, can give you a complete picture of a college or university. A campus visit is the best way to see for yourself what a college is like.

Campus Visit Essentials:

Take a campus tour.

Get an interview with the admissions officer.

Get business cards and names of people you meet for future contacts.

Pick up financial aid forms.

Sit in on a class that interests you.

Talk to a professor in your chosen major or in a subject that interests you.

Talk to coaches of sports in which you might participate.

Talk to a student or counselor in the career center.

Spend the night in the dorm.

Read the student newspaper.

Scan bulletin boards to see what day-to-day student life is like.

Eat in the cafeteria.

Ask a student why he/she chose this college.

Read a little in the library and see what it is like.

Ask a student what he/she hates about the college.

Ask a student what he/she loves about the college.

Browse in the college bookstore.

Walk or drive around the community surrounding the campus.

Ask a student what he/she does on weekends.

Listen to the college radio station.

Try to see a dorm that you didn't see on the tour.

If you cannot visit...

Sometimes you cannot visit a campus. (Money, travel, time, etc.) You can still get the feel by talking to recent graduates or current students who are from your area. The college's admissions office can give you the names of these people.

Many college representatives travel to interview students in their homes or at schools or hotels nearby. Write or call the admissions office to find out when a representative will be in your area and to a make an appointment to see him or her.

Many colleges and universities produce videos of their campuses. Check with the college's admissions office or your high school guidance office.