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Choosing a College

Which college is best?

It may be tempting to choose your child's college for him/her. Although you probably know your child very well, ultimately it is up to him/her to decide which college is the best fit. Research shows that parents are one of the most influential factors in a child's life. So even if it appears your son/daughter may not be listening, they probably are! You are in a great position to guide your child and assist in the decision-making process.

Determine What's Important
Help your child find a college that is the best fit. Have a discussion with your child about what is important to him/her in a college campus. Would your son or daughter be more comfortable in a large or a small school? Does he/she want to go far from home or stay close by? Is he/she planning to go to a four-year college or a two-year college? Keep in mind, the college with the lowest price tag is not always the best choice.  Click here to find out Brenda's thoughts on helping your child find the best college for them. 

Make a List
Help your child identify which colleges best meet his/her needs. Iowa Choices offers a comprehensive college search that can help with this process. Choose the characteristics your son/daughter are looking for in a college and you will receive a list of colleges that meet the criteria.

Gather Information
Once you have identified some possibilities, encourage your child to learn more about the colleges who made your list by requesting more information. Gather information about what the college has to offer by attending college fairs, requesting college catalogs, and visiting with college representatives who come to the high school.

Visit the Campus
Making a visit to the campus is a very important part in the college selection process. You wouldn't buy a car without test driving it, right? You shouldn't send your child to a college without first visiting the campus. Although you may think the college is a perfect choice, you can't determine that for sure until you visit. Try to go with your child on the visit if possible. You will probably view the campus with a different perspective and will ask different questions than your student. Make the most of your visit by taking a campus tour, meeting with admission and financial aid advisers, and asking a lot of questions.

Apply to the College(s)
Colleges begin accepting admission applications in the fall. Be sure to check all deadlines and know what to expect from the process. Many colleges accept online admission applications and may even waive the fee if you choose the online method.

TIP: Start early. The more time you have to explore options and to do your research, the more comfortable you will be with your child's decision.