Selecting a college is often a challenging decision. After all, you will most likely spend the next four or more years of your life on it’s campus.

Know Your Options

There are colleges and universities all over the world, of all different sizes, of different religious affiliations, in rural and urban locations, and with large sprawling campuses or small friendly campuses. Do you prefer public or private? two-year or four-year? Commuter school or live on campus? Far from home or visit home on weekends? Known business school or teaching school? And what degree will you pursue?

What’s Important To You?

Decide what is important to you and then start your college search. To narrow down your selections schedule campus visits. Most schools offer campus tours, informational sessions, and some even offer a place to stay on campus. Sign your parents up to visit with you and place them in the dorm room next door!

Get Started By Narrowing Your Choices:

Characteristic of School Option 1 Option 2
What size? Large Small
2-year or 4-year ? 2-year 4-year
Public or Private school ? Public Private
Distance from home? Far Nearby
Campus setting? Rural Urban

Additional Resources for Selecting a College:

College Opportunities Online Locator - http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool/

College Board - college search engine

Fastweb - detailed college profiles

Arizona Mentor - comparative view of Arizona colleges

Arizona Student Loans - Arizona Higher Education Loan Authority Arizona Student Loans - Arizona Higher Education Loan Authority