Make a list of things that are important to you in terms of school selection. Perhaps you want to be close to home so you can visit on the weekends. Maybe you do not have a car and want to make sure public transportation is available. It could be that you do not want to live in a dorm. If you know what you want to major in, you might look for a college that specializes in your desired subject. Think about whether you want a large or small school and whether you prefer a rural or an urban area.
Discuss your list of desired school attributes with your high school or GED counselor. They should be able to help you narrow down and prioritize your list. Most counselors also have a list of schools they are familiar with and should be able to point you toward four or five colleges that meet your most important criteria.
Organize campus visits at each of your top school choices. Make appointments to visit with deans, professors, and students. Visit when classes are in session so you can sit in on a few, and plan to stay for a few days so you can get a feel for campus life.
Make a list of the pros and cons of each school you visit. Listing the attributes and pitfalls of each college will help you decide which schools you most want to attend. This way, if you are accepted into more than one school, you can decide which school is best for you.
Discuss your feelings on each school with your high school or GED counselor, as well as anyone (such as parents) who may be helping to finance your education. Bouncing your thoughts and feelings off other people will help you to better organize your thoughts.
Apply to all schools that you are interested in. Althoughyou may have a top favorite school, it is always best to apply to all schools you would be interested in attending. That way, if you are not accepted into your top school, you will still be able to choose to attend another school without veering off course.
Consider all offers as they roll in and do not forget to incorporate finances into your decision. Your top school might accept you but not offer you a scholarship, whereas your third choice might offer you a full scholarship. Situations like this arise all the time, and it is wise to think about how each offer might impact your financial future.
Make your final decision based on which college is best for you as a person, as well as financially. Remember that you can always change your mind down the road if it turns out that a particular school ends up not fitting the bill. You will likely be surprised, though, that with all of your research and preparation, you have found the perfect college for you.