With so many college choices available and the wide variety of institutions that can be found across the United States, it is easy to become overwhelmed. Combined with the reality that there isn't just one college that is best for each student, the process can become unmanageable. One student may want to study a major offered at only a few universities while another may want to attend only schools that are close to home. The business of searching for a college is an intensely personal business. Your best options may not be good options for anyone else simply because they are your options. The key to a successful college search lies in knowing what you are looking for, identifying colleges that offer what you are seeking and selecting one of the institutions that has what you want and to which you have applied and been accepted. So the real question to be answered is, "What should I look for when searching for a college?"

There must be some basics. What are they?

There are three basic conditions that the colleges you are looking at should meet. If a college meets all three conditions in the list below, it will be a good choice for you.

1. Does this college have what I want? Most prospective students make the mistake of assuming that this means, does the college offer the major I think I would like to study? While that is an important question, you also need to know if the college sponsors the kind of activities that interest you. Does it have the kind of support services that are important? Is there enough financial aid available to make my attendance possible? And does the college graduate the students it enrolls?

2. Is the intellectual challenge at this college one I am ready and willing to undertake? Different colleges offer different levels of academic challenge. Some are very competitive, and some are less competitive. You must determine if a particular college offers a challenge you are both prepared and willing to undertake. You will not be satisfied if the challenge is either too little or too much.

3. Will I be happy there? This question is so fundamental that many students forget to ask it. It is, however, perhaps the most important question. You must be convinced that you will enjoy the two or fours years you will spend at that college. Do you think you would like the other students who attend this institution? Do you see yourself as being involved in campus life outside the classroom?

Ok, I understand the basics, what else should I look for?

Each college in the United States is different from every other college. Although certain colleges may be similar in some ways, no two colleges are exactly the same. While the differences may appear subtle, they are very important. One good way to start the process is by knowing what college characteristics thousands of other students like yourself have said are important. The following list includes some of the more important characteristics.

Academic programs - Does the college offer the major or majors that are of interest to me?

Academic reputation - How highly rated is the college and what do others (educators and employers) think about the college?

Location - Is the college close by or far away from home? Is it located in the downtown area of a city, a suburban neighborhood or is it in a rural community?

Price and cost - How expensive is the college (the price)? How many students who attend the college receive financial aid and how much aid do they receive? What would I be expected to pay (the cost)?

Size - Is the college small, very large or somewhere in between? Are there just several hundred students or are there tens of thousands of students on campus?

Admission selectivity - Is this a college to which I am certain I will be admitted, likely but not certain, a real reach for me or one that simply is out of the question given my academic record?

Housing - Does the college have residence halls? Do a lot of students live on campus?

Quality of the facilities - Are the classrooms and laboratories up to date, properly equipped and well maintained? Is the housing comfortable and does it have the amenities you want?

Retention and graduation rates - What is the record of success the college has in keeping the students who enroll? Do most of the students graduate? Do they leave before graduating?

Special programs - Are programs and services available that I need or would like to have? This includes items like athletics, honors program, study abroad, ROTC, learning disabled services and more.

Where do I find information about these characteristics and answers to these questions?

Talk to your school counselor about what you are looking for. Most counselors will be able to give you the names of several colleges that match you interests. But don't stop there. Use one of the search engines available on the internet (petersons.com, mycollegeoptions.com or collegeboard.com) to locate additional colleges that match your list of desired characteristics. Talk to your parents about what you are looking for in a college - listen to their advice. Visit the campuses if possible. Try to get a feel for the place - is it friendly; are the students, faculty and staff approachable?

Based on your research, you will no doubt refine your listing of desirable characteristics. This is to be expected. And each time you refine it you will be coming closer to identifying good choices for you - colleges that offer what you want, provide an appropriate intellectual challenge and at which you will be happy.