Five tips to start your college search!

Deciding that you want to go to college after high school is easy. Choosing the right university? That is hard.

The college search process is complicated. Colleges, family members, friends, and guidance counselors will offer advice. But their influence may not be the best for your college search. Here’s a five-step outline to help you find the best college and avoid some headaches.

1. Wishes: The first step in the college search is the easiest. What do you want from a university? Maybe you went to a big high school and want the same thing from college. Some students want to be close to the outdoors, while others prefer to live in the city. Do you want to stay close to home or study far away? There are no wrong answers. What you like is what you like. If you’re looking for a small school near the beach, why waste time and money applying for big schools on the Great Plains?

2. Necessities: Unfortunately, college doesn’t come cheap. What you can afford can affect where you can go. Each school has its own set of variables. Where you live, for example, can have a big impact on what you can afford. Tuition differs for students who live in the state and those who live far away. But some schools near state lines offer in-state tuition to nearby students from other states. More expensive schools may offer more financial aid dollars or work-study programs to help offset the cost.

3. The Visit: You may think you know a lot about a school from a brochure or from campus video shot by blimps during football games. But you won’t really know a school until you step foot on campus. However, your campus visit should be more than just a tour. Talk to students and faculty, and get a sense of the atmosphere on campus. If you can’t imagine yourself on the grounds, perhaps you should look elsewhere.

4. Admissions: You may love the Ivy League, but let’s be honest: It’s called elite for a reason. Each university has its own GPA and test score admission standards. High scores alone do not guarantee admission, and admission can be unpredictable. Many factors outside of your control can influence college admission. Keep your options open during your college search. It also doesn’t hurt to have a backup plan.

5. Fit: You may love a school on the other side of the country, but you may not like the idea of ​​living so far away. A small, quaint school may not offer the major you’re looking for. The big state school can be too overwhelming. Your college search should focus on what works best for you, not what will impress your friends or please your parents. In the end, your college search should produce a school that feels like home, a school that excites you.