This is a valuable tool for a family discussion during the initial phase of selecting which colleges to visit and learn more about. Check those categories that will be important to you in your selection.
_____ 1. Reputation. Age? Tradition? Campus atmosphere? (collegiate, preppy, nonconformist, intellectual, religious, strong sense of community)
_____ 2. Distance from home. Weather; Travel needs?
_____ 3. Cost. Public? Private? Merit Scholarships? Availability of jobs on and off campus? Ability of college to meet full need? Endowment, if private?
_____ 4. Appearance. Functional? Campus beauty? Urban? Modern architecture? Traditional?
_____ 5. Need for access. Religious? Museum? Lessons? Training? Airports? Relative? Medical? City? Small town?
_____ 6. Safety. Need? Response to need?
Academic Program:
_____ 1. Degrees offered. Liberal arts? Engineering? Nursing? Business? Fine arts? Teaching certification?
_____ 2. Curriculum choice. Required courses? Languages? Core requirements? Grading options?
_____ 3. Special programs. Junior year abroad? College exchange? Washington semester? Semester at sea? Off campus programs? Internships?
_____ 4. Academic calendar. Jan. term? Semesters? Trimesters? Exam schedule?
_____ 5. Teaching. By professors? Grad. students? Student/teacher ratio? Lecture? Discussion?
_____ 6. Availability of courses. Ease of access to arts courses or other popular classes? Ability to graduate in 4 years?
_____ 7. Support service. Peer tutoring? Writing center? Computers? Math labs? Study skills center?
_____ 8. Academic reputation. Excellence all around? Specific to major? Relaxed? Stressful? Challenging?
_____ 9. Availability of faculty. Percentage of women? Professors of color? Teaching oriented.
_____ 10 Quality of faculty. PhDs? Tenured? Published? Involvement in students' lives? Reputation for good teaching? Involved in research?
_____ 11. Class size. Introductory classes? Advanced classes? Honors programs?
_____ 12. Presence of graduate students. An asset? A liability?
Student Body:
_____ 1. Level of academic quality. Interest in academic life? Commitment to learning? Study on weekends?
_____ 2. Goals. Preprofessional? Graduate school bound? Grade conscious? Commitment to the public good? Interest in teaching?
_____ 3. Diversity. Geographic? International? Cultural? Socioeconomic? Male to female ratio?
_____ 4. Level of school activity involvement. Students actively involved in activities? "Suitcase school?" Fraternity driven? Popularity of particular activities? Intramural? Radio station?
_____ 5. Social life. On campus? Off campus? Number of options?
Campus Services:
_____ 1. Safety. Escort service? Access to dorms? Locked doors?
_____ 2. Health facilities. Medical care? Counseling? Dental? Hospital?
_____ 3. Career center. Job placement? Grad. school counseling?
_____ 4. Library. Adequate? Dependent upon other libraries? Social or study atmosphere?
_____ 5. Residence facilities. Dorm options? Off campus? Single sex? Quiet dorms? Condition? Presence of adults or advisors? Specialized dorms?
_____ 6. Dining facilities. Choices? Quality of food? Ability to respond to restrictions? Options on number of meals per week?
_____ 7. Orientation. Summer program? Early fall? Adequate?
_____ 8. Academic advising. By department? Assigned? Student's choice? Easily available? Reputation?
_____ 9. Athletic facilities. For athletes only? Non-varsity athletic facilities? Condition? Quality? Use?
_____10. Religious services. On campus? Nearby? Actively attended?
_____ 11. Art. Dance? Ceramics? Sculpture? Printmaking? Drawing? Painting?
_____12. Music. Singing groups? Orchestra? Jazz? Informal groups? Availability of lessons? Practice rooms?
_____ 13. Internships. When? How arranged? Easily available?
_____ 14. Community service organization. Well run? How active? Supported by general population?
_____ 15. Theater. Productions per year? Major? Minor? Opportunities for a non-major?