Decide your college major. If you are very keen on a particular subject, it narrows down your search to colleges that specialize in this subject. If you are unsure, seek advice from friends and family as well as your high school teachers and guidance counselors. Assess your own interests as well. Consider taking online career assessment tests for a basic idea of the career path you want to take.
Decide the type of college you want to attend. A two-year college gets you an associate degree while you earn a bachelor's degree at a four-year college. Another choice you need to make is whether to attend a public or private college. Size and availability of resources constitute the main differences, but public colleges charge less tuition fees for in-state students.
Consider the size of the prospective college. Do you want to join a big college that has more than 35,000 students or a smaller college with 1,000 students? The size of the student body as a college can affect the availability of faculty and resources, such as libraries, laboratories and the amount of personal attention you will receive. Also consider if you want to attend a same-sex college.
Identify your priorities regarding other key factors such as college location, financial aid, extracurricular activities and campus life. How close or how far from home do you want to be? Would you prefer a college that supports your non-academic passions, such as sports or participating in the campus radio, newspaper or television station? Do you want to live on-campus and experience community life? Are student organizations or religious groups important to you? Compile your list of priorities.
Search for colleges based on these priorities. Use the College Navigator tool on the National Center for Education Statistics website to make a comprehensive search. You can also use the College Search facility on the College Board website. Make a list of prospective colleges.
Visit the websites of your shortlisted colleges and see what they have. Look for information on academic programs offered, admission criteria and college accreditation, as well as faculty qualifications, class size and academic facilities, along with housing and campus safety programs. Visit the colleges in person; take a tour of the campus, including specific classes and the cafeteria; talk to students. See if you feel at home on the campus. Make a new list of your prospective colleges based on these factors.
Apply for more than one college. A common practice is to apply for one or two dream colleges you want, even though you understand it may be difficult to get accepted given the admission criteria and competition. You should also apply to a few colleges that interest you and that you are confident will admit you, and at least one "last resort" college you are certain to get admission to. Wait for a response from the colleges and make a final choice.