There are many colleges which are able to provide a valuable college experience for you. In spite of this, the colleges you consider must be reduced to a workable number. Therefore it is important for you to find the best matches for you. Think about your interests and abilities, as well as the characteristics of the college. Listed below are some of the factors you should consider. Decide for yourself the relative importance of each in order to help narrow down your school choices.

1. Geographical Location: Proximity to urban areas, distance from home. What is the community like that surrounds the college?
2. Scholastic Requirements: What credentials does the college require? Do your high school record, grade point average, test scores and academic units compare favorably with the typical freshman? Will you be able to benefit from the level of instruction offered by this college?
3. Cost: College costs are increasing rapidly. What are the limitations placed upon your choice by financial considerations?
4. Size of College: Small college or large university?
5. Student Body: Co-ed or not? Where does most of the student body come from?
6. Affiliation: Private, public or religious affiliation?
7. Curricular Offerings: Does the college offer the major you are interested in? If you have a specific career in mind, does the college have undergraduate programs leading to that career or graduate program? Student interests may change, so don't make your choices based on major alone.
8. Availability of Special Programs: Such activities as honors programs, special support for students with handicapping conditions, work-study, independent study, junior year abroad, athletics, music and the performing arts may be the determining factor in making your final choice.
9. Intellectual and Social Atmosphere: What do the students do in their spare time? What clubs or sororities and fraternities are available?

II. HOW DO I FIND WHICH COLLEGES ARE APPROPRIATE FOR ME?

After gaining a sense of how the college admissions process works and after identifying your priorities, you should be prepared to consult various sources of information.

• College Catalogs and Directories - Many college catalogs and directories are located in the guidance office. Popular directories include:
  The College Handbook
  The Insiders Guide
  The Comparative Guide to American Colleges
  Fiske's Guide to Colleges
  
  
• Send for materials from those colleges that interest you. Write a brief note to the admissions office, identifying yourself as a junior and your high school, and request a bulletin, the application, and perhaps some specific information about a special interest.

• Computer Programs - The College/Career Center Center has computer programs on college and career searches. These software packages will help you apply to a college which matches your interests, abilities and financial resources.

• College Webites and Internet searches, located elsewhere prove up-to-date information.

• College Video Tapes - Refer to "College Video Tapes" for a listing of available videos.

• College Fairs and College Representatives - The College Fair is generally held the first weekend in March. The Career Fair a short time after that. Dates and Universities of visiting representatives will be will be announced in Fall.

• Statistical Book - Compilation of all admissions decisions for last year's seniors. This will help you estimate your chances for admission to different colleges. However, realize that there is no indication of the level of course work, i.e.; AP, Honors.

• Follow-up Reports From Local High School Students Now In College - Refer to Where Peninsula Students, Class of'01 are Attending College for a listing of colleges attended by previous Peninsula High School graduates.

• College Visits (see The College Visit )