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Six questions you should ask before picking a college

By Beth Ziehmer

September 01, 2015

Selecting the right college or university can be a daunting, but a very exciting, task for any high school senior. College fairs can be a great source of information. Ask your counselor, so you can know when local college fairs will be held this fall, but don't wait for the college fair to start your research on potential schools.

To break down the college selection decision, review your research on potential schools and the characteristics of those schools before asking yourself the following questions.

1. What programs are offered by the school? If you have selected or are thinking about your major, can you obtain the degree you want at that school? Does the school have other degree options that interest you, too, in case you change your major?
2. What is the school's reputation and ranking? Is it accredited? Your school may help you the most when you first graduate and don't have a lot of work experience.
3. Where is the school located? If the school is located far away from family and friends, will that be an issue for you if you can't make it home but a couple of times a year? At first, it will be exciting to be away at college, but when the homesickness hits, will you be able to manage it? Or will you need to be closer so you can go home on weekends during the semester?
4. Can I visit the school? Visiting the school while still in high school really helps give you a feel for the campus, especially if you can visit during the school year when current students are there. See if you can sit in on a class and/or talk to a professor in your interested field. Many schools have fall or spring preview days or you can schedule an individual campus visit at a time that is more convenient for you.
5. Do I know anyone who has graduated from the school? Ask a graduate of the school about their experience – what they liked or didn't like about the school. Some of their opinions will strike a chord with you, or maybe what was important to them may not be important to you. Listen to their experiences and whether they have fond memories of their college experience.
6. How much does the school cost? Let's face it, money is big consideration. Research available scholarships at the school. You might qualify for automatic scholarships that can dramatically decrease the published cost. Schools also have net price calculators on their websites that can help break down the cost. If you or your parents just don't have the money to attend the school without going into mountains of debt, you may want to reconsider and look at other options for higher education, maybe for just your first couple of years or maybe for the duration of your education.

More information about gathering information on schools you are considering can be found at mappingyourfuture.org/collegeprep/gatherinfo.cfm.