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Choosing a College

Choosing a College

Which college is perfect for you? It is really up to you. The best way to make up your mind is to do your homework. Consider the following:

What's Important to You?
You may have tons of people giving you advice, but in the end it will be up to you to figure out the best college for you. Only you really know where you will learn the best, have the most fun, and be the most comfortable. See these tips to help you decide.  Click here to learn what's important to Courtney, a high school student, when choosing a college. 

Make a list
Figure out which colleges fit your needs. Use the college search on Iowa Choices (free at your high school) to help you figure out which colleges should make your list. Just click on the criteria you are looking for and you will get a list of colleges to get you started.

Do Your Homework
Don't panic, this will be fun homework! Your assignment is to find out more about the colleges on your list. Request more information from the college, attend college fairs, and speak with college representatives that come to your high school.  Click here to find out what resources Courtney, a high school student, has found most helpful in choosing a college. 

Check Out the School
Before you make your decision, visit the college. You might think you have it all figured out, but you really never know if you will like the college until you actually go to the campus. You will find that each college has a different "personality." You need to find out if it's right for you. Most high schools allow you excused absences to go on a campus visit. Check with your counselor for your high school's policy.

Make Your Decision
Once you have gathered your information and gone on your campus visits, you should be able to make your final decision. Think about which campus fits your needs the best and where you feel the most comfortable.

TIP: To avoid getting stressed out, don't wait until your senior year to start thinking about choosing your college! Start early so that you have plenty of time to look at all of your options and figure out what's best for you.