If you are approaching the end of high school and are ready to

begin investigating colleges, there are several factors to

consider before deciding what college is right for you. Whether

you want to study medicine or painting, accounting or physical

education, there are hundreds of colleges to choose from, each

with their own specialized programs of study. Narrowing down

your options can be a challenging task, but it is important to

make an informed choice about where to continue your education.

When you are deciding which schools to which you would like to

apply, you should first assess your chances of being accepted.

If you are a C student with average test scores and no

extra-curricular activities, you might not want to put all of

your application eggs in one Ivy League basket. However, if you

can afford to, you should always apply to the school of your

dreams on the off chance that it just might come through for

you. If you don’t try, you will never know whether or not you

could have gotten in.

If you have made straight A’s throughout high school, have high

SAT and ACT test scores and have participated in a wide variety

of activities, you have high chances of getting into any school

of your choice. Even if you have very limited finances to work

with, you should still apply to your top choices. If you are

accepted, you may be able to receive scholarships and financial

aid, and you always have the option to take out student loans.

When it comes down to narrowing your choices, size is a very

important thing to consider. Some people like extremely large

universities with tens of thousands of students. However,

others enjoy the comfort of a small campus with as few as

several hundred students. There are also a variety of colleges

that lie in between these two options. Though it is hard to

know before you get there, you probably have a good idea of

your general preferences regarding school size, and this will

help you focus your search.

You should also consider whether you would like to go to a

private or a public school. Private schools are typically more

expensive, but some are also more prestigious. Private

religiously-based schools are also an option. Virtually every

faith runs at least on college in the United States, and most

have several to choose from. If you would rather stick to

secular schooling, state-supported schools are often your best

financial deal. These schools receive support from the

government, in addition to private funding, so they are

typically less expensive and more able to offer larger

financial aid packages.

Location is also an important factor to consider when you are

choosing a college. Think about how close or how far away you

would like to be from where you grew up. If you want to be

within a day’s drive of home, consider local and regional

schools. However, if you are looking for a cross-country

adventure, you might consider schools in far away states or

even consider studying abroad. Some fields of study are better

suited to certain geographic locations, as well. For instance,

artists can get a real-life education in New York City, whereas

actors might consider schooling in California. If marine biology

is your chosen field of study, a college with an aquatic

location would obviously be the best choice. Geologists often

flock to the southwest, and environmentalists often seek

education in the northeast. You should consider both personal

your climate preferences and your career goals when you are

choosing a college location.

Though choosing a college can be stressful, it can also be fun.

Remember that college is just the first step on your

professional journey, and you will most likely change majors,

interests, and possibly even change colleges before you finish

your undergraduate degree. So, make a wise and informed choice

with the knowledge that you will probably change your mind

several times before it is all said and done.