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Selecting and Evaluating Colleges

Choosing a school to attend can be one of the most important decisions that you will ever make. But, with so many schools to choose from, narrowing the selection can be tough. This article can help by providing information on selecting and evaluating colleges.


Selecting Colleges
When selecting a college, you have three basic choices:

• Attend a local college
• Relocate to attend college
• Stay where you are and study online

While each option has its advantages and disadvantages, there is no one option that is right for everyone. Your choice will have to reflect your individual needs. Once you have decided between the three basic options, selecting a college will prove much easier.

Evaluating Colleges
When evaluating colleges, there are many different factors to consider. Learning as much as possible about each school will help you to evaluate these factors and make comparisons. Take time to visit the school's website, tour the campus, and speak with faculty or students. Ask specific questions about each school's:

• Admission requirements
• Class sizes
• Student to faculty ratio
• Course availability
• Course quality
• Teaching method
• Campus resources
• Career placement records

Once you have collected enough information, you can begin evaluating the colleges to determine which one best fits your needs, wants, and career goals. If more than one school fits the bill, even better; you can apply to several colleges and increase your chances of getting admitted to a good school.

Related Articles
» Using College Fairs and College Recruiters to Choose a School
» Is an Online or Distance Learning Program Right for You?
» Should You Choose a School Based on College Rankings?
» Community Colleges vs. Large Schools
» Taking College Campus Tours