Need help finding a college?

Choosing the right college is a major decision.  What's right for someone else might be a poor choice for you.  With so many schools and so many choices the process can be daunting. Here's our advice:  Take it step by step to find the right college for you.

SAP's Helpful College Selection Tools

• 3-Step College Selection Process from "The Collegiate Matchmaker" by Kate Peterson, Ph.D.
• Our Favorite Web links
• Questions to ask when visiting colleges

3-Step College Selection Process

Step 1: Develop Your Ideal College Profile
You can't find your perfect college until you figure out what you want. Start by breaking it down. First, make a list of the characteristics you want in a college. Then use the list below to help develop your "college profile" - a description of your ideal college. Think about:

• Size: Large schools can offer diversity, while small schools are more intimate.
• Location: Close to home or halfway across the country? Urban or rural?
• Academic Standing: Do the school's academic standards match your goals? Sometimes a big name school is not the best option.
• Social Environment: What kind of community do you want? Close-knit and slow-paced? Studious and focused?
• Living Arrangements: Dorm life is fun, but commuting can be more affordable.
• Field of Study: Does the school offer a good program in the major you plan to pursue?
• Classroom Environment: Small, intimate classes? Or big lectures?
• Affordability: Tuition, room and board, books and supplies—it all adds up. What's your college budget?
• Availability of financial aid: Are you going to need assistance?
• Selectivity: How do you measure up to the school's incoming freshman class (average GPA, test scores, etc.)? What are your chances for admission?

Step 2: Finding Your Match

Now it's time to research your options. Learn more about the colleges that are out there and compare them against your "ideal" college profile.

• Consult your guidance counselor. Ask for college information such as brochures and guidebooks.
• Attend a college fair. Bring a notepad and talk one-on-one with school representatives. To find out about college fairs in your area, ask your counselor or visit the College Fair Directory.
• Surf the Web . Learn more about your favorite schools by visiting their Web sites. Check out FastWeb's college search to discover your college matches.

Step 3: Focus In and Get More Info

Once you've narrowed your list, go after more in-depth information.

• Ask for advice. Discuss your options with parents, friends and your high school counselor. No one will have the "right" answer, but they can give you a fresh perspective.
• Ask your friends in college.They can tell you about day-to-day college life. Learn from their mistakes and benefit from their experiences.
• Visit the campus. Call the college directly to schedule a tour, or ask your guidance counselor if your school arranges group trips. Take notes during the tour and get the student view by spending some time wandering around and talking to current students.

Our Favorite Web Links

• Know How to Go to College - A great site for middle school & high school students. Lots of great information and simple to understand. This site is a must!
• College Board - This is our favorite free site to learn about possible choices - Lots of great info on this site. Check out the College Board Selection Tool.
• Student Review - Lots of great resources here with students and recent graduates reviews and recommendations.
• The Princeton Review "THE BEST 371 COLLEGES" 2010 EDITION - A great book with detailed info on many great colleges. By Robert Franek, Tom Meltzer, Christopher Maier, Erik Olson, Julie Doherty, and Eric Owens.
• Oklahoma College Start - The state's official web site that provides information about higher education in Oklahoma for students, counselors, and parents. It is designed to be the most comprehensive and current source for college planning for Oklahoma students, beginning as early as middle school. It has been developed by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in collaboration with the Oklahoma Guaranteed Student Loan Program and Oklahoma colleges and universities.
• Colleges That Change Lives - Colleges That Change Lives, Inc. (CTCL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and support of a student-centered college search process. CTCL supports the goal of each student finding a college that develops a lifelong love of learning and provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life beyond college.
• You University - This very cool site lets you take a video tour of hundreds of different colleges and universities.
• Common Application - A not-for-profit membership organization that serves students, member institutions, and secondary schools by providing applications – online and in print – that students and school officials may submit to any of nearly 400 members.

Questions to Ask

Visiting colleges? Here's a list of question to ask on tours, visits and interviews.  Click here to download and print a PDF of the list below:

GENERAL

1. What makes your school different or special?
2. What is the mission, purpose, or philosophy of this institution?

ACADEMICS

1. What is the average class size during the freshman year? Overall?
2. What are the smallest class sizes? The largest?
3. Do graduate students teach undergraduates?
4. Do faculty maintain office hours?
5. Are students involved in the evaluation of instructors?
6. Are certain courses hard to get into? What percent?
7. Can you cross-register at any other nearby colleges/universities?
8. Are there any required courses?
9. What type of academic advising is provided?
10. Do you give credit for AP courses? Is a certain test score required?

LOCATION/STUDENT LIFE

1. How large is the campus?
2. How far is the campus from the nearest airport? Train/bus station? Subway?
3. Does the college provide transportation locally? To airports/trains/shopping areas?
4. What percentage of students are housed on-campus? Off-campus?
5. Is housing guaranteed for all 4 years?
6. What kinds of off-campus housing are available nearby?
7. How are students assigned to a room and or roommate?
8. Are there co-ed dorms? How are they arranged?
9. What services are provided in the dorms i.e. laundry, kitchen, air conditioning?
10. Are freshmen required to live on campus? In separate dorms?
11. Are there telephones in each room?
12. Do you have your own food service or an outside caterer?
13. What meal plans are available? How many meals each day? Choice of entrees?  Vegetarian option? Salad bar?
14. What athletic teams do you have? Division? Can I meet one of the coaches?
15. Can students have cars on campus? Freshmen? Parking fees?

FINANCIAL AID

1. Will applying for financial aid have an impact on the admission decision?
2. Is financial aid based on need? On merit?
3. Do you offer scholarships? What types are available? How do I apply?
4. Do you offer work-study jobs? How do I apply for those? Is there off-campus employment available? Where are jobs posted?
5. What percentage of students receive financial aid?
6. What are the financial aid procedures and deadlines? Which forms?
7. When are financial aid packages awarded?