Attending college can be expensive, so many students necessarily consider cost when choosing which college to attend. Private schools typically cost more than public universities. Students unable to get financial aid or scholarships might choose community college, which offers a cheaper tuition rate than traditional four-year colleges.
Colleges vary in size from small, local community colleges to huge universities with hundreds of thousands of students attending each year. The number of students who attend the college may affect class size, depending upon your program of study. Talk to guidance counselors and faculty members in your prospective majors to determine class size.
Students wishing to leave the nest and explore new locations might choose a college far from home or even overseas; for these students, the number of possible colleges is large. Students who choose to remain close to home will usually have fewer schools to choose from, or might choose a local community college or trade school. In addition, students must decide what type of location they wish to live in while completing their college education. Colleges in urban areas might appeal to some students, while others prefer the peace and quiet of more rural surroundings.
Some colleges require that all freshman students live on campus, while other campuses have limited student housing. Students wishing to live at home with parents might choose a community college. Co-ed dorms, size of dorm rooms and roommate issues are all factors students should consider when searching for a university.
Students interested in joining a fraternity or sorority will necessarily choose schools that offer those options. Sports teams and other extra-curricular activities are also important to some students. Students looking for the perfect school should also consider the diversity of the student body.
College admissions often require that students meet a certain grade point average requirement or that they are fluent in a foreign language. Students hoping to be accepted into a college should look for a school whose requirements match up with their academic achievements. Students should also consider the programs that schools offer to students, and look for schools that can fulfill their academic and career goals.