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FINDING THE COLLEGE THAT FITS

Where will I go to college? That's the question on the minds of many high school students. Typically, students are wondering what big-name college will accept them. Comparatively few students, however, ask the question from the opposite point of view: is the college of my dreams a good place to invest four years of my life and thousands of dollars?

No matter how famous the name, after all, a college or university is a business, and you should ask hard questions about whether its particular product is right for you. "You can get a good education at virtually any college," says Illinois educational consultant Jim Bixby, "to the extent that you walk onto campus expecting the best they have to offer." Going to a famous school, Bixby says, "doesn't assure you a Rolls Royce and a house with an ocean view." Don't pick a school on a name alone - be very sure of your reasons for wanting to attend any institution, famous or not. The substantial differences between colleges, Bixby and other experts say, lie in the many other factors that can make a school a good fit for one person and a poor match for another.

Asking the right questions 
How can you decide which school fits you best? Begin by finding the answers to some tough questions. It's important to remember that there are no "right" answers to these questions - only answers that can help you decide where you'll make your investment.

Do you want to be close to home or far away? Many students and their parents feel more comfortable with schools that are no more than two or three hours from home. You could be one of them, or you might want to explore more of the country or world.

Do you prefer big or small? Students from large urban high schools may feel hemmed in by a small college. On the other hand, some may want a smaller, more personal experience. Graduates of small high schools might want to continue being big fish in small ponds, or could feel ready for the bustle of a large university. Do you recognize yourself in either camp?

What are your chances for getting financial aid and what's the average financial aid package? Tuition rates keep going up, but "a school should not be eliminated because it has a very high tuition, according to Philadelphia-based educational consultant Wendy H. Robbins. Instead, Robbins says, aggressively seek scholarships, and remember that many schools offer terrific financial aid packages. Get enough financial aid, and a more expensive school could cost you less in the end than its moderately priced competition.

What study options does the school offer? Of course you want a college or university that has strong programs in your interests - but leave room for your passions to change. A new major shouldn't force you to change schools, too.

Does your choice include foreign study programs? Many colleges and universities have overseas programs, but some emphasize that opportunity, even offering students their own overseas campus. Ask if financial aid is available to help cover foreign study.


Visit It
What is your personal impression about the school? Read its website and any materials the school sends, but remember that "no college is going to make a video or CD-ROM to discourage you," Bixby says. Visit the colleges and universities that interest you "early and often," says Robbins. "I'll go after I'm accepted is the wrong approach." While there:

Have conversations with students. Don't just talk to the tour guide - it's his or her job to promote the school. Seek out other students and ask them what they like and don't like about the school.

Attend a sample class. Whether it's taught by a professor or a teaching assistant, the quality should be high and the atmosphere welcoming.

Read the campus newspaper. Read to learn more about campus politics and activities. "You may discover that the student view is different from what the admissions office is putting out," Robbins says.

Is the climate to your liking? If you're from a warm climate and are considering a school in a cold one, visit in February to make sure you can deal with the winter weather.

Are the buildings in good repair? A good college spends most of its money on classrooms, professors and a library, but even so, Robbins says, buildings "shouldn't look shabby. There should be enough money for maintenance." A read through the Chronicle of High Education, which is available in most libraries, can also tell you whether a school is having financial problems.

Use this chance to (gently) get away from your parents.Your folks want to explore the place, too, but if you enroll you'll be there on your own. "Send them for a cup of coffee or to check out the bookstore," Robin says. You could also arrange to stay overnight on your own with host students - if the college offers that possibility - to get a better sense of daily on-campus life. 



 
 
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