| Are you ready to leave high school and embark in | | | | sports-inclined. |
| the new adventure called college life? Perhaps you | | | | 2. Atmosphere and Setting |
| feel like a whirlwind of emotions right now: | | | | Do you see yourself in a busy city setting like |
| anxious, excited, doubtful, expectant? Worried | | | | Columbia in NY? Or would you prefer a much |
| about not finding the right college? Here are some | | | | quieter, tree-lined campus in Montana where you |
| things you should consider when you're looking for | | | | can drown yourself in books and study? Small |
| the right college that will hopefully launch you into | | | | school or diverse university? Public or private? |
| a successful adult life in the future. | | | | Atmosphere and setting is important in choosing a |
| Going off to college can be one of the most | | | | college. Keep in mind that you'll be spending four |
| exhilarating times of your life. For the first time, | | | | years there so you have to feel like you belong. |
| you get a chance to be independent. You get to | | | | 3. Finances |
| embark on a new journey, meet new friends and | | | | Finance is another thing you should really consider. |
| most importantly - discover things about yourself | | | | Are you going to apply for financial aid? Looking |
| that you didn't even know. College basically | | | | for grants or scholarships? Though state or |
| prepares you for the rest of your life. And that's | | | | community colleges may generally be cheaper, |
| why it's important to pick the best college that will | | | | private institutions tend to have more grants and |
| hone your skills and help you grow. | | | | scholarships ready for the taking. So, do your |
| So, how do you go about choosing? | | | | research. |
| 1. All About Academics | | | | 4. Schedule a Visit |
| What are you planning to major in? What field of | | | | When choosing a school, nothing beats actually |
| study do you see yourself in? Answering these | | | | going to the campus to see and feel how you like |
| questions may help you decide which school to go | | | | it. If you feel "at home" in a particular school, then |
| to. There are some schools that "specialize" in | | | | you might be closer to making your decision than |
| certain degrees - Berkeley for music, for | | | | you think. |
| example, Brown for the Arts, Dartmouth for the | | | | |