1.  Academic Programs

College will ideally be a journey with many great experiences.  Keep in mind, though, that the ultimate goal of college is to obtain an education.  Focus on schools that offer the degree and major that match your area of interest.   As wonderful as a school might be, if it doesn't allow you to study in your academic area of choice or to obtain your desired degree, it may not allow you to achieve your ultimate goal.

2.  Location

Are you yearning to be in the middle of a city or are you the type that cannot imagine living without open spaces?  Do you love the variety of weather you experience living in the Northeast or are you looking to live in shorts and sunshine year round?  Do you want to be close to home or are you ready to "get away"?  Are you wanting to live in a setting similar to where you have grown up or do you want to experience something new?  It's important to answer these questions as you consider various colleges.

3.  Size

Schools come in all sizes!  What are you looking for?  Would you be more comfortable at a large school that offers lots of activities and a level of anonymity where there is always someone new to meet?  Or, does a smaller school that offers more individualized attention where everyone knows each other seem more appealing?  Knowing the answer to these questions may help you narrow a wide field of choices.

4.  Type

Each school has its own personality and mission.  Some schools are all about cutting edge research and have faculty who focus more of their time on that work.  Other schools focus more on teaching and learning and faculty spend more of their time in the classroom.  There are schools that specialize in specific areas, while some schools are known for providing a broader education.  Do you want to attend a co-ed school or does a single sex school sound appealing to you?  Does it matter to you whether a school is public or private?  What other specific criteria are important to you?

5.  Cost

Cost is a consideration for most students, but don't eliminate a school simply because it has a high price tag.  Some of the most expensive schools have the best financial aid, potentially resulting in those schools being more affordable to you than schools with a lower price tag.  The key is net price - the cost of a school after grants and scholarships.  To find out more about a school's net price, check out the school's Net Price Calculator (NPC), which is usually found on the Financial Aid or Admissions page of a school's website.

The good news is there are fabulous web tools to help you start the search process.  The College Board (http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/adv_typeofschool.jsp) and College Navigator (http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/) are both great sites that will allow you to search based on the criteria listed above, as well as other criteria not covered.  Focus on what matters to YOU!  Not every school is right for every student, but there is school that is a great match for you!