Selecting a College  
   
 
 
What Are Some Common Mistakes I Should Avoid When Narrowing My Choices?
 
The most systematic way to end up with a good fit between you and the institution is to gather a great deal of information about colleges, then narrow your search based on personal characteristics and preferences. The process is time consuming and sometimes tedious, however, and many students try to take shortcuts that almost always fail. Below are some of these shortcuts and the dangers associated with them.
 

Mistake #1: Limiting your search to institutions with which you are already familiar. Many students rely heavily on family and peers as sources for determining which colleges they should consider. Be careful--many more institutions might be a strong fit for you. Do your own research in guidebooks and on the Internet to become aware of new options. Remember, you will attend the college you choose, but your parents and friends won't. You need to be happy with the choice.

 
Mistake #2: Limiting your choice of institutions based on your standardized test scores. Many students compare their standardized test scores to the average Scholastic Assessment Test scores or American College Test scores of students attending institutions and use this information to determine colleges they'll apply to. It's important to remember, however, that test scores are just one piece of information that colleges use to evaluate students. Every campus has students who scored much higher and much lower than the average against which you're measuring yourself.
 
Mistake #3: Limiting your search to colleges you think you can afford. Many financial aid options are available, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study arrangements. High school counselors, publications, and Internet resources can provide you with information about paying for college. First determine the schools you are interested in attending, then try to determine ways to fund you choice.
 
Mistake #4: Choosing a college because your friend or girlfriend/boyfriend is going there. Just because a campus is a strong match for your friends or loved ones does not mean that it is the best choice for you. Did they do their homework in exploring colleges? Be sure you do.

 
Mistake #5: Making your decision based on the rumor mill. Many students form judgments based on the impressions of their peers. The rumor mill can be a great source of inside information as long as you seek many different people's opinions so that you can evaluate the institution from several different perspectives. Don't make a major life decision based on one person's opinion.
 
Mistake #6: Making your decision based on false assumptions. Peers, family members, and others may be sharing inaccurate information, such as the commonly held--but inaccurate--belief that a student's learning and development depend on the selectivity of the school. It is important to read widely and try to get the most accurate information possible in order to make a sound decision.