| If you are involved in the college search | | | | accept you and even a school or two that you |
| process then you probably know just how | | | | feel is beyond your reach because they could |
| frustrating it can be searching through the | | | | say yes to you.Figure out how you will |
| thousands of schools that are available. | | | | finance your education and if the tuition |
| There are several criteria that you should | | | | cost is feasible. Search out scholarships and |
| consider before you apply to any college or | | | | education grants. Decide if you could or even |
| university.It is important to research and | | | | should take on a job while going to school. |
| decide on a college major. The whole purpose | | | | If you need to take out student loans make |
| of a college education is to prepare you for | | | | sure that the amount you borrow is worth the |
| your future career. Choosing a career will | | | | education that you will receive. You don't |
| help you narrow down your college choices | | | | want to graduate and have to pay off $100,000 |
| since every school offers a different choice | | | | or more in loans with a $25,000 a year |
| of majors and course selections. You may even | | | | career.You should take a tour of each of your |
| find that some colleges and universities | | | | college choices. Try to sit in on a class if |
| specialize in your particular area of | | | | possible. If you plan to live on-campus you |
| interest.There are many characteristics of | | | | should stay in (or at least visit) a dorm and |
| college campuses that may or may not appeal | | | | eat in the cafeteria. Tour the library, |
| to you. You might prefer to attend a | | | | computer labs, student center, bookstore and |
| university in an urban, suburban, or rural | | | | other campus facilities. Ask if you can talk |
| setting. A decision can also be made on going | | | | to a couple of students to get their view on |
| to a school in state, out of state, or even | | | | attending the school.After fully researching |
| studying abroad. Some people may want to | | | | all of these criteria you should discuss your |
| explore the option of attending a | | | | choices with a parent, spouse, or someone |
| historically black college, single sex | | | | else whose opinion you trust. You should |
| school, or a faith-based university.If you | | | | apply to at least five schools or more to |
| are planning to live on the campus of the | | | | increase the chance that you get into at |
| school that you will attend, then you need to | | | | least one school. There are fees for each |
| explore your housing options. Check to see if | | | | application that you submit. If you have |
| the dorms are mixed or single sex. Find out | | | | financial need then you may qualify for fee |
| if the dorms have private, shared, or | | | | waivers though every school does not accept |
| community bathrooms. Some schools only have | | | | them. These steps do not ensure that you will |
| on-campus housing for freshman so you may | | | | find the perfect school. They should however |
| need to look into the availability of nearby | | | | aid you in your college search and help you |
| apartments.You could use the admissions | | | | make a more informed decision.Eugena Anthony |
| requirements of the colleges and universities | | | | created College Search Engines and More to |
| that you consider to help further narrow your | | | | help prospective college students with the |
| choices. You should choose a couple of | | | | college search process. Visit for advice on |
| schools in which you more than meet the | | | | selecting a major, financing your education, |
| qualifications and requirements. Also | | | | and several other criteria that can help you |
| consider schools that you believe could | | | | make an informed college choice. |