Choose Your College

There are many kinds of colleges. What college is right for you?
When I started my college search, I had no idea what I was looking for - big, small, urban, rural.... I didn't know what was even available.

Big University
These generally have more majors and a LOT more people. Lecture halls can have as many as 400 students. Some classes will be taught by graduate students. It's a whole city on the campus!

Private College
Many private colleges are much smaller, with as few as 4 students to a lecture hall. (Though it averages about 12.)

Special Interest
Religious, same-sex, and racially affiliated schools are more focused and students report feeling more supported by the system. Most special-interest schools are private.

Community College
A two-year school that is intended to transfer out of. Usually much much easier on the wallet! These range from huge classes to small ones, depending on your area.

Upper-Division School
A college just to be transferred into after community college.

Trade School
Where you go to learn a trade, such as cosmetology. No degree, and usually less than a year of school.

Specialized Schools
Specialized colleges for art, music, business, religion, health sciences, and a variety of other careers. Often more expensive than a general school, but much more focused.

Most metros have at least one yearly college fair. I recommend going to it - whether you have a college in mind or you're just starting to look. You can get an idea of what the admissions process and campus culture will be like from talking to the representatives.
At the two fairs I went to, there were some tables that couldn't care less that I was there and others who were excited and personable. There were the reps who insisted that I didn't really want the program I was interested in, and the reps who said if I wasn't going Greek, I shouldn't go to their school. It's a very enlightening experience.

Also, try it a couple different ways - with and without parents. I had radically different experiences with both.

Know that you definitely won't be able to talk to every school there, so move on from tables that don't interest you. Only want local schools? Avoid the section of national ones. Only want schools from far far away? Don't even talk to the local ones!

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Check out the atmosphere of the college you're considering. What is the campus like? The students? The teachers? How many people go Greek? How many clubs are there? How hard is it to change majors? Is the foreign exchange program available to everyone? What's the core curriculum? Is the food any good?

Ask a lot of questions!

Be wary of schools that provide you with little or no contact with students, refuse to show you a dorm room, or chastise you for asking questions.