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For many college-bound students, choosing just
the right school can be even more stressful than taking the SAT
exam. How do you choose, from among more than 3,500 American colleges
and universities, the place where you'll live and learn for four
years?
Beyond that, how do you find the school you love --
and can also afford?
Savvy students and parents should start by pinpointing
what they most want and need in a college. Make your own customized
list or check a few Internet sites for ideas.
Specifications for schools
Some sites, such as The Princeton Review, allow you to plug in specifications and get a computerized list of schools that match your criteria. Some factors you should consider:
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| School specifications |
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Two-year or four-year school:
Two-year schools, such as community
colleges may offer smaller classes, professors who are better
at teaching since they're not hired to do academic research
and a chance for less-than-star students to wipe out a not-so-great
high school record. Financially, two-year colleges can be a
bargain, too. Four-year schools might be a better choice for
students who want to be surrounded by mostly A- and B-grade
students; want a college with great resources, like a big library
and lots of cultural and athletic activities; want a school
where most students live on campus; and enjoy a college with
a strong sense of community. |
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Academic
strength: Colleges usually disclose the average SAT scores
and high school grades of their incoming freshmen. Families
can use these statistics to decide whether the school is academically
challenging enough, or perhaps too rigorous, for their student.
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Price: This
information can be hard to find on a college's Web site or in
their admissions brochure, especially for private colleges.
These institutions know that tuition prices tend to scare off
incoming students and their families. So dig a little. Some
Web sites, such as The
College Board, let you search for colleges by their price
tags. You can also find out which colleges in your price range
offer need-based financial aid and outright monetary grants
in areas such as academics, athletics and leadership skills. |
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Size: Is
the school small or large, based both on number of students
and acreage? If it's a large school, does it offer any living/learning
programs? These are like small colleges within large universities. |
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Surroundings:
Does the student prefer a school located in or near a big city?
Or would a rural area be a better fit? |
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Specific
states or regions: Some students might want to live reasonably
close to home, so they can visit high school friends or go home
to do laundry. Other students may be interested in a totally
new living experience -- a warm climate if they've always lived
in a snow zone or a big city if they've grown up in a small
town. Keep in mind that travel costs during summer vacation
and on breaks will vary significantly, depending on how far
the student must travel to and from school. Be sure to work
that into your annual college budget. |
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Majors:
Does the student prefer a school that offers a wide range of
fields of study or one that specializes in one or two high-profile
programs? |
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Attitude/religion:
Is the school known to be conservative/traditional; diverse;
or liberal and/or unconventional? Is the college secular or
does it have strong religious ties? |
Early decision, early action
Some schools offer what are called "early
decision" and "early action" programs that give students
the chance to apply -- and get an answer -- before the regular admissions
deadline.
This may be something you want to consider if you
have one school that's your top choice. The problem is that with
early decision you are making a commitment to attend that school
if accepted. By making that commitment, you are giving up your ability
to compare financial aid packages you might be offered otherwise.
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