Author's Note: This article was mainly aimed towards those are currently in high school (like me) and might peak some interest towards middle school students who like to be ahead of the game.
When I first started high school as a freshman, I had no thought whatsoever on colleges or what I wanted to be. I figured that no one else would either because there was a LONG time until I'd even have to begin thinking about it. It turned out that most freshmen in my school already knew what college they wanted to go, what classes they wanted, and etc.
This got me thinking, and I realized that finding a college is no walk in the park. There are many factors involved that you have to think of beforehand, and I was seriously behind. With luck on my side, I managed to find a few tips that helped to break down the whole thing into separate parts. These categories are in no certain order, so feel free to it any way you prefer:
1. Picking A Major
This was among the first things I did, because I wanted to be in a college that offered Pre-Med. It isn't necessary to have a major during your beginning years of college, but it is ideal for those with a specific career in mind.
2. Saving Up for College
It's essential to know how much you're going to need to save up for college. Most colleges will let you know the average costs of books, dorms, and etc. on their websites. Collegeboard has some helpful calculators on how to work this sort of stuff out. I'm still learning how to use them properly, so I'd be no help with them.
3. In or Out?
Decide whether you want to stay in the same state, or go to a new country entirely. This along with deciding your major helps to narrow down the amount of colleges you'd receive in a search on Collegeboard. This would also involve buying a dorm or not. When doing this, you'd also have to think about scholarships that are only applicable to a certain area, and the difference in costs of a in-state student, and out-of-state/country student.
4. Try Them On For Size
Try and get involved in the campus life of the colleges you're interested in, because that's where you'll be spending your two+ years of your life. Tours around campus are available in practically all colleges. You should try to fit some tours in during the summer while you're traveling. Or, you could also join programs that they offer high school students in specific categories. For example, I applied for a three-year program for pre-med in which college professors routinely lecture us about the medical field and etc. If you're not comfortable with their campus lifestyle, then that college probably isn't the right one for you.
I wish you all luck with your current, or future college hunting!
Author's Note: Sources: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/add-it-up/401.html
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/majors_careers/468.html
