Choosing the right college can be a difficult process. Your main goal should be to choose the school that is the best fit for you. Take a look at our breakdown of college guidebooks and put together a list of colleges based on your priorities (for example: cost, diversity, what types of jobs will be available to you after you graduate, etc.). Then evaluate each college based on how it matches up with your priorities.

Here are some things to find out about the colleges you are considering:

1. How many classes are taught by full time professors? Part-time instructors or graduate students usually have less knowledge about a subject and have a heavier workload. This means that they may have less time to interact with students.
2. Is financial aid available? Don’t be scared by the price. Many expensive schools offer good financial aid packages and possibly scholarships. You should contact the school directly to ask about the availability of financial aid.
3. How diverse is the staff and student body? More diversity usually means a richer college experience.
4. Who is available to help students with career decisions? Find out what help is available with career placement. Contact the school to get more information.
5. What are students saying about the school? Most guidebooks include at least some information from students.
6. What is the freshman retention rate? This is the rate at which students come back to the school after their freshman year. It will give you a good clue as to how satisfied most freshmen are with their experiences at that school.
7. What is the ranking of the program that interests you? Just because a school has a good overall ranking doesn’t necessarily mean that the program you are interested in is right for you. Most schools have a few programs that stand out from the rest. If you have a career goal in mind, it’s important to find out all that you can about the specific program you plan to enroll in.
8. What is the school like? Visit any school that seriously interests you. Get a feel for the campus and surrounding areas. Talk to students, tour guides and instructors to see what they have to say about the college.