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Jimbo · 06-04-2007, 02:07 PM

Going through it now with my 17 year old. Do internet searches for things like "how to choose a college" and you will find surveys out there that will help you narrow down the size and setting of the campus you'd like to attend. These surveys get you to answer questions like if you like a city or a rural setting better, what sports you might play, are race, religious affiliation, number of students, how close to home do you want to be. Depending on the survey, it might spit out a list or it might give you a summary of what type school you should be looking for based on your input. I suggested to my daughter she look at the schools in our own state first. NJ has a variety of types and sizes and gives you a good idea of what schools the same size are like on other areas. But by all means take the virtual tours most every school has now, and if that peaks you interest go see it. Ask friends in college what they think and friends in high school what they recommend. Remember also, it's not where you start college, it's where you get your diploma. I don't believe you need to or should feel forced into picking a major yet, if you have an idea, great, if you don't, that's part of what your first year or two at a good liberal arts college will help you decide. I'm strongly urging mine to pick a good state school and live on campus, make sure she can handle college and wants to be there and when she decides what she wants to pursue, if that college has it and she likes the place stay there, or transfer where they have what she's looking for. She's going to pay for most of her sophomore, junior and senior years, because we believe it is the best way for her to keep focused on her education. I'll comment on how she/we are going to finance it all when we've figured that out, but by all means apply for student aid from the government. It absolutely cannot hurt. When you decide on a school see what they offer in grants, scolarships, endowments, work/study and assistance. Make sure next year's English teacher is going to cover the college application. Many schools now will accept the generic application, which your English teacher can help hone to perfection. Then use that same application for every school you apply to that accepts it.
Here's a helpful website:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/index.html

06-04-2007, 02:07 PM	#3
Jimbo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: S. Yarmouth, MA Posts: 1,604	Going through it now with my 17 year old. Do internet searches for things like "how to choose a college" and you will find surveys out there that will help you narrow down the size and setting of the campus you'd like to attend. These surveys get you to answer questions like if you like a city or a rural setting better, what sports you might play, are race, religious affiliation, number of students, how close to home do you want to be. Depending on the survey, it might spit out a list or it might give you a summary of what type school you should be looking for based on your input. I suggested to my daughter she look at the schools in our own state first. NJ has a variety of types and sizes and gives you a good idea of what schools the same size are like on other areas. But by all means take the virtual tours most every school has now, and if that peaks you interest go see it. Ask friends in college what they think and friends in high school what they recommend. Remember also, it's not where you start college, it's where you get your diploma. I don't believe you need to or should feel forced into picking a major yet, if you have an idea, great, if you don't, that's part of what your first year or two at a good liberal arts college will help you decide. I'm strongly urging mine to pick a good state school and live on campus, make sure she can handle college and wants to be there and when she decides what she wants to pursue, if that college has it and she likes the place stay there, or transfer where they have what she's looking for. She's going to pay for most of her sophomore, junior and senior years, because we believe it is the best way for her to keep focused on her education. I'll comment on how she/we are going to finance it all when we've figured that out, but by all means apply for student aid from the government. It absolutely cannot hurt. When you decide on a school see what they offer in grants, scolarships, endowments, work/study and assistance. Make sure next year's English teacher is going to cover the college application. Many schools now will accept the generic application, which your English teacher can help hone to perfection. Then use that same application for every school you apply to that accepts it. Here's a helpful website: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/index.html