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General College Information

The following information is provided to assist you in selecting a college or university that is right for you. Your goal is to select a college or university that provides a challenging academic program while meeting other important selection criteria such as cost of attendance, career services and campus environment.

Exciting. Challenging. Rewarding.

With about 3,200 public and private colleges and universities in the nation, selecting the right college for you may seem daunting. However, while choosing a college is an important and sometimes difficult decision, if you plan now and take it step by step, you will find the college that is right for you.

Of course there are many factors to consider when determining the colleges and universities to which you want to apply. When the Horatio Alger National Scholars were asked how they selected the institutions they applied to, they indicated the academic reputation of the college, the amount of financial aid they were offered, the cost of attendance, and job opportunities after graduation.

Academic Reputation
How do you know whether the college's reputation is good? To find out, talk to current students, staff, faculty and alumni; read materials the college provides; and review publications that rank or describe academic programs such as the College Board Handbook, Peterson's Guide to Four-Year Colleges, and U.S. News and World Report magazine. Your school or local public library should be able to provide these and other sources of information. More recently, colleges have made their catalogs available on the Internet, and most have their own website.

Cost of Attendance
College is an investment and can be very expensive. However, many students qualify for financial aid to cover the difference between what a college costs and what they can afford to pay. Some factors you may want to consider regarding college costs include:

o Two-Year vs. Four-Year Colleges - some students opt to begin their education at a two-year or community college. This allows for significant savings, yet prepares the student for completing his or her undergraduate degree at a four-year college.
o What's included - when comparing college costs, you will want to consider all costs, including tuition, room and board, books, supplies, fees and charges, and transportation costs. As soon as you start thinking about which colleges interest you, call the admissions or financial aid office and ask about the costs. Keep a file of information to refer back to and compare costs among colleges.

Job Opportunities
Students are concerned about landing a job in their chosen career upon graduation. Some questions you may want to consider include: What role does the college play? Does the college invite employers to campus to interview seniors? What other employment assistance does the college offer to graduating seniors? Are internships available, and will students earn college credit, be paid, or both?

Remember to contact the placement office at the college. (Sometimes it is referred to as the career center or job placement office). Ask what service the office provides for students, such as career counseling, resume and cover letter writing assistance, lists of job openings, and practice interviews.

Other Considerations
Some other factors to consider in selecting a college include campus environment, a college's religious affiliation, student population, college location (rural, urban, suburban and distance from home), social life and campus activities.

Below are links to other sites containing general information on selecting colleges, seeking financial aid, transferring colleges, standardized testing, career choices, and more.