Make a list of the characteristics of your ideal college. Include details about the campus and your ideal classmates and professors. Describe the college culture you seek and social activities and opportunities that are important to you, such as a study abroad or an athletics program. Include all these aspects on your list.
List possible majors you are considering. Use the "College Search" website to research schools that offer a program in your selected major. Go to your local library or bookstore and browse books about colleges and the strength of their academic programs. Look for information about post-graduation job placement and internships, as well as graduate school acceptance rates, if that is your ultimate goal.
Schedule an appointment with your school guidance counselor. Ask the counselor for information about colleges he would recommend, as well as any available scholarship opportunities. Speak with your teachers, particularly ones that teach in the areas in which you are considering majoring. Ask them which colleges they recommend based upon their knowledge of the field and your academic style.
Think about the region in which you would like to attend school. Consider how far you want to be from home and whether you prefer to attend school in or out of state. Think about the type of location you would like to live in, such as rural or metropolitan, big or small.
Consider what size school you would like to attend. Think about the physical size of the university, as well as the number of undergraduates and total student body. Consider your ideal student-to-faculty ratio and how much access to your professors you would like.
Talk to your parents about the cost of your education. Discuss the possibility of scholarships and other financial aide and the likelihood that you will need student loans. Consider the cost of education and how much you can afford to pay. Use all of this information to determine the colleges that fall within your price range.
Create a list of your academic and nonacademic achievements. Include your test scores, grade point average, honors and awards, as well as volunteer work and extracurricular activities. Consider into which schools your achievements would most likely gain you acceptance.
Narrow your search to colleges that fit your criteria. Contact these schools to request additional literature to gain additional information about the schools. Use this information to narrow your list down to colleges you are strongly considering. Schedule a visit to these colleges if possible. Walk around the campus and attend a class or two, if possible, in your major's department. Talk with students at the college and ask about their experience. Think about how you feel on the campus and whether you can imagine spending the next four years there. Use the information and insight you gain from the visit, along with all your prior research, to narrow your list to colleges to which you are going to apply.