Choosing Colleges

 

 

·        First of all, some reasons NOT to choose a college:

1.      Because like TV’s Felicity, you are following a high school crush there.

2.      Because you always wanted to visit Boston/Hawaii/England (or any other exotic place).

3.      Because you hear it has a great Greek system.

4.      The campus is pretty.

5.      You want to get away from here.

6.      Because all your best friends are going.

 

·        Okay, reasons to choose a college:

Geographical location, selectivity, a certain field of study, size of a college, size of the community, a sport you play, the price, or a religious affiliation

 

·        Be sure you have the requirements for a college you are looking at.  Most four year colleges and universities require the following high school credits:  4 years of English, 3 years of math (at the Algebra I level and higher), 3 years of science (include two lab courses), 3 years of social studies and 2 years of foreign language.

 

·        If you REALLY want to go to college, and you are not sure you will get in, go ahead and apply.  This is your dream school or reach school.  Have some in between choices, and apply to at least one college you are just about positive you will be accepted to.

 

·        Look at private & public, in-state and out of state.  Our state universities will be the least expensive: UF, FSU, USF, FAMU, UCF, FIU, UNF, FAU, UWF or FGCU – they are wonderful universities and inexpensive because you are a resident of Florida.

 

·        You may want to buy a college handbook at a bookstore to use as an easy reference – “The College Handbook” by The College Board is one example, look at “331 Best Colleges” also. THE BEST RESOURCE BY FAR IS THE INTERNET.

 

·        SEARCH THE WEB – every college has a website full of information – next to visiting the college this is one of the best ways to learn about the college – and you know the info. is up-to-date: Usually the web is the name of the college or the abbreviation.edu.  (i.e.  www.harvard.edu or www.ufl.edu which is University of Florida).  If you can’t find it, search through the Internet for the college’s web site.

 

·        Remember that the student is the one choosing a college – you should be the one who contacts the college, talks to the college representatives, etc., not your parents.  The colleges keep track of who contacts them, the applicant or the parent.

 

·        Talk with your parents – they may have certain guidelines for you, such as how far away they will send you or financial limitations.

 

·        Try to visit any colleges you are serious about. Be there to observe and see how you fit in.