College Classes

Choosing a college is far less difficult than most people think. There are just ten rules to remember.

1. Never make your final college classes selection without reviewing at least your top two or three choices. No matter how well you think you know a college class or university classes, you can learn a lot (good or bad) by spending a few hours on campus, including whether or not the college class feels like a good "fit" for you.

2. If you follow only one of the ten rules, make it rule #1.

3. College classes is not necessarily right for you because its name is familiar. That seems pretty obvious, but you wouldn't believe how many students equate educational quality with name recognition.

4. Take the extra step of identifying and investigating at least three college classes you know almost nothing about but offer the major in which you are interested, are in locations you like, and have admissions criteria which make you a good candidate. You might be very pleasantly surprised at what you find.

5. Choosing college classes because your friends are or will be attending is just plain stupid. Choosing college classes because your boyfriend/girlfriend is or will be attending is even dumber.

6. Do your research and be sure to separate reality from (often baseless) opinions. Lots of folks will refer to a college as "good", "hard to get into", "a party school", "too expensive", etc. without knowing the facts. Don't accept these kinds of generalizations without evidence.

7. Do not rule out colleges early because of cost. Many colleges offer scholarships, financial aid, and tuition installment plans that make them far more affordable than they may first appear. You can't/won't know how much it will cost to attend a college until the very end of the process.

8. Deadlines, whether for college applications, SAT or ACT registration, financial aid, scholarships, campus housing, etc. are not suggestions. Miss a deadline and you may find yourself in deep water. Write down and adhere to all deadlines.

9. Apply to three categories of colleges; "reach" colleges, "probable" colleges, and "safe" colleges. Reach or "stretch" colleges are colleges you like but may well be denied admission to. You might just be pleasantly surprised is you take a chance on a few reach schools. Probables are colleges which admit most students with your profile. My recommendation is that you apply to at least three probables to ensure yourself good options when it's time to make your final decision. Lastly, find and apply to two safe colleges where your chances of admission are close to 100% and where you believe you would be happy. Remember, if you do a good job picking safe schools you'll be immune to disappointment, so take time to do a good job.

10. When it is time to make your final choice, discuss your options with your family, your counselor (if you have one), and others who know you well and whose judgments you value. If you have a tough time choosing among two or more colleges or universities it is probably because you have done a good job putting together your list and you will be happy at whichever institution you choose. Just make your choice and don't agonize over it for some of the best years of your life are ready to begin.