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Last Updated: October 1, 2009
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Choosing a College

Choosing the college that is right for you can seem like a daunting process indeed. It can also be one of the most defining experiences of your life. Through the course of your college search, you may find that you learn not just about the colleges you’re researching, but also a lot about yourself: your wants, your values, and your priorities. Applying this self-discovery to your college search will help you identify the best college “fit” for you.

In creating your list of college options, the best place to start is determining the attributes that appeal to you in the following categories.  In addition, completing these questionnaires for both STUDENT (Word Format or PDF Format) and PARENT (Word Format or PDF Format) can assist in identifying what is important to you and can open up a dialogue for families during this exciting and at times, stressful process. 


Location

Are you looking to escape the Texas heat?  Venture out-of-state to colder climates and new horizons?  Or are you perhaps looking to stay closer to home? Location, for many students, is one of the more exciting options when choosing a college.  Relocation, whether 50 or 1500 miles away, can open up a wealth of opportunities in both adventure and independence. 


Social Environment/Campus Culture

Do you imagine yourself in a big city, suburban area, or a small town?  Each have their merits, but take careful consideration of what you require from life outside of the classroom.  Do you need to be surrounded by skyscrapers and bustling traffic, do you prefer a quaint, tucked-away town with fewer distractions, or would you be happier somewhere in between?  Regardless, most campuses will have their own established community and culture apart from the city in which they reside.  Note what opportunities are available on campus in terms of activities, clubs, and recreation and decide to what extent you would like to be involved.  Some colleges offer options for new club/organization development if it’s not already in existence.  The possibilities are truly endless.       


Size

Do you prefer large lecture halls with hundreds of students or small classes that boast student participation and active discussion?  Colleges can range in size from a few hundred students to 50,000 at the larger universities.  Size can also affect how much contact you have with your professors and whether you are being taught by professors or graduate students.  Size matters, but be sure to examine each school to gain a better understanding of how its size affects academic and social dynamics.  You might be surprised to learn that some large universities go lengths to making students feel more like a name and not a number through focused living/learning communities.         


Academics

For most students, academics will be at the top of their list of priorities when researching schools.  Does the college/university have the major or academic area of interest you are considering?  Will it provide opportunities for research, internships, or perhaps a unique study abroad experience?  Will these opportunities adequately prepare you for life after college, whether it be a career, graduate studies, or a professional program?   


Cost

Paying for college is a common concern of many degree-seeking students; typically even more so for their parents.  It is important to look into the types of financial aid that are available through each college or university.  Financial aid, in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans, can reduce your out-of-pocket costs significantly.  Cost is the reason some students decide to attend a public institution rather than private.  This should not be the case; a student should not initially rule out attending a private college or university just because of cost.  Don’t fall victim to “sticker price.”  Private colleges and universities will often be able to bridge the differences between college expenses, i.e. tuition, fees, room and board, and a student’s out-of-pocket costs in the form of institutional financial aid.     


Researching Your Options

Once you have your initial list of college options ready, take the necessary steps to research them further and narrow down your choices:

  1. Search websites like College Board and Peterson’s.  See Resources/Links page for other useful search links. 
  2. Request information from the schools themselves.  Your mailbox may already be full of college literature that you’re not particularly interested in, but be sure to get the information that you are seeking. This also allows the school to send more targeted information to you as a prospective student and not just a random name they bought from College Board.   Colleges not only send glossy brochures but also important information about application instructions and updates, financial aid, campus preview event details, etc.  Don’t miss out!  
  3. Visit college websites directly.  In addition to the ever important admissions and financial aid section, you can get a better sense of the campus culture from perusing the school’s website.  Check out student blogs, course descriptions, dining hall menus, or whatever strikes your fancy.   
  4. Attend College Rep Visit sessions held at LASA (juniors and seniors only).  Many times these reps will be your admissions counselor should you decide to apply.  They are excellent resources within their respective college/university system.
  5. Attend college fairs in the local area.
  6. Visit the schools on your list.  The campus visit cannot be stressed enough in the college decision-making process.  It can essentially make or break your preconceived notions of whether the school is the right “fit” for you.  It is the also the best case of giving you a “slice of life” experience of a real college student on that campus.