US College & University Search - 5 Factors To Consider

Think About LocationOne of the quickest and easiest ways to narrow down the schools you want to apply to involves thinking about location. If you already live in the U.S., you can start by deciding whether you want to attend an in-state out-of-state college.School ReputationSchool reputation is an important consideration for any student, but it is especially important for fields like business, medicine, and law. When searching for a college, it is a good idea to find out what the school's reputation is in your field of interest. This will increase your chance of getting a good job after college.Campus LifeBecause you will be attending college for some time, it is a good idea to find out what type of life you will have outside the classroom. In other words, what kind of activities and facilities will be available to you? If you can't network or take part in the world around you, the time you spend at college will seem very long indeed.CostTuition. It's what keeps many people from attending or even applying to college. Still, you shouldn't be too quick to write off a particular school because you think it is too expensive. Some schools offer generous financial aid packages to their students. As a result, you might end up spending less out of pocket at a school with high tuition than you would at a school with more reasonable tuition.Try to Find a Good MatchFinally, when searching for a college, it is essential that you find a school that is a good match for you. For example, if you have low SAT scores or questionable transcripts, you may not want to apply for a college that only accepts applicants with above average SAT scores and 3.5 grade point averages.