| Quite often I hear from parents and students who just | | | | them what a small college in a big city is like. My alma |
| don't feel like they know how to start the college | | | | matre, Jacksonville University, is 3,000 students in a city |
| search process. Let me provide you with six steps to | | | | of a million. I loved it compared to the typical Big Ten, |
| starting a college search. | | | | city-wide campus of the University of Iowa where I |
| Step 1 - Be Flexible - One of the biggest stumbling | | | | started. |
| blocks to beginning the college search is starting with | | | | Step 4 - Ask Yourself Questions - Start asking the |
| preconceived notions about finding the right college. | | | | right questions. Close to home, or across the country? |
| Eliminate now from your thinking that only public or only | | | | Big campus, or small campus? City or country? What |
| private colleges are right. Eliminate the idea that some | | | | major or majors might I want to study? The college |
| college beauty pageant list like US News is going to tell | | | | search engines on the Internet, like the one at |
| what the right college is. And eliminate the idea that if | | | | Collegeboard.com, can help you come up with great |
| the "sticker price" appears too high, the school is off | | | | questions to ask. Personally, I think "where?" is one of |
| the list. Start with a blank slate. | | | | the first questions to tackle. You can find great schools |
| Step 2 - Start Now - Yes, now. The more time that | | | | anywhere in the country. College is one of the few |
| you put into the college search, the better decisions will | | | | times when a person can have complete freedom in |
| be made. Starting early allows you to take time... have | | | | choosing where they want to live. So you might as |
| fun with the process. If you get a head start on the | | | | well pick someplace you'll enjoy? On the beach? In the |
| process, then the student won't feel like the search is | | | | mountains? Where it's cold? Where it's warm? The |
| running (or ruining) their life. Starting early allows you to | | | | field is wide open. You'll always find great colleges no |
| pace yourself, ask more questions, and get the right | | | | matter where you pick. |
| input. | | | | Step 5 - Make a List - Your questions will lead you to |
| Step 3 - Visit Colleges - Any colleges. It doesn't matter | | | | answers that are likes, dislikes, and must haves. Start |
| if they are schools the student is interested in, just visit | | | | listing those answers. As you build your list, you will be |
| them. Go on their campus tours. Students will gather | | | | building the profile of your desired colleges. |
| valuable information about what they like and what | | | | Step 6 - Be Flexible - I started with flexibility, and I'll |
| they don't like by visiting any college campus. If there | | | | finish with it as well. Always make sure that your list is |
| are colleges nearby where you live, then go for a | | | | broad enough to include 6 to 10 different colleges, |
| campus visit. If there is a college near where you will | | | | because that's how many you will need to apply. And |
| be travelling on a vacation, then stop by for a college | | | | don't feel like the decision you make as to where you |
| tour. And try to visit different types of colleges and | | | | commit for your freshman year in college is set in |
| universities. Let the student see what a small town, | | | | stone. Over one-third of college students transfer to |
| liberal arts college like Grinnell is like. Let them see what | | | | another college at least once. If you find out you don't |
| a 40,000 student urban campus like ASU is like. Show | | | | like it at a college, you can always change. |