Compare Colleges

Nothing can be quite as confusing for a high school senior as trying to decide what college to attend. Bombarded with college pamphlet from everywhere in the country, it can be quite daunting to try to sort them all out.

When you begin to compare colleges, there are a several things you will want to consider. Do you want to stay close to home? Do you hope to go to college very far away from your home? What can you afford? What major are you hoping to pursue? Do you want to go to a large university or one a little smaller and more intimate? In order to even begin to compare colleges, you must narrow down your choices as much as possible to make it easier to start the process.

One important thing to consider is your grade point average and SAT scores. There's no point in applying to Harvard if you have an 80 average. The best thing to do when you compare colleges is to send out several applications, a few to colleges you may or may not get into and a few to what are considered "safe" colleges. Safe colleges are colleges that you feel fairly confident will accept you. It's important to stretch your wings and try to get into the best college that you can, but it's also important to be realistic about your possibilities. This way you can go for the gold and not be unhappy if you get the silver instead.

Obviously a huge consideration for students when they compare colleges is price. Very few parents can afford to pay the whole cost of the child's education. If you have very little money for college, a community college is a great place to start and you may then be able to consider a more expensive school for your last two years. Another great bargain when you consider colleges is state colleges. Many of these colleges cost less than 1/3 of a private college and offer the same quality education as those private colleges.

When you compare colleges, remember that just about anything you want can be found if you take the time. Talk to parents, talk to guidance counselors at your school and surf the internet and you should be able to find a college that meets all of your needs.