Decide if you want to go to a college close to home or farther away. If you want to go home on the weekends and most holidays, you'll want to choose a college nearby. Schools farther from home provide more independence, but out-of-state tuition can be expensive.
Consider the size of the school you want to be a part of. Private colleges tend to be smaller; some have just a couple thousand students. This could mean more interaction with professors and a cozier environment. However, larger schools, such as those with more than 50,000 students, will have more opportunities for socialization and often offer more activities as well.
Look for schools that offer the area of study you're interested in. If you're positive that you want to study a certain field, such as creative writing, look for schools that have a well-developed program in this area. If you are not sure what you want to major in, liberal arts colleges should have plenty of classes to offer so you can take a wide variety of subjects and choose a major later on.
Decide what activities you'd like to get involved in and look for schools that offer them. Some schools are known for their exciting Greek life, but if drama is more your thing, look for schools with clubs and workshops in that area. You can tell a lot about a school by looking at its most popular activities.
Get an idea how much you can spend on college. While scholarships and other financial aid are usually available, it's still good to get a ball park figure of how much you can afford. Besides tuition, housing, books and other fees, you should factor in living expenses, such as snacks, spending money and the cost of transportation.
List your three top schools in order from your most preferred to your least preferred. This will help you put it in perspective.
Visit the campuses of your top three schools. Also visit the campuses of any other schools you're seriously considering. Often, the school's campus is much different than its brochure or website would lead you to believe. Visiting will allow you to explore the school first hand, and get a feel for the environment in which you'll be staying. Ask for a tour of the freshman dorms as well, to see what your living area would be like.
Chat with current students and alumni of the schools you are interested in. Make a list of any questions you have in advance, such as how the night life is or what professors are particularly interesting. The Internet is a great way to do this, as many students and alumni can be reached in groups and on message boards. These people can really help you get insight into the colleges, so you can make a more informed decision.