Finding the Right College

Finding the right college or professional program is important. You need to find a good fit, academically and financially. Shop around and consider a number of different possibilities. Be a wise consumer!

• Your goal should be to find a college that is affordable, has a good reputation, offers programs appropriate to your needs, is the right size, and is located in an appealing place.

• Make a "shopping list" of your reasons for attending college and your expectations of what the degree will do for you.

• Talk with your parents, teachers, and school counselors.

• Consult college guide books or computer software to help narrow choices; use our list of Web picks to do online research.

• You can get a quick look at most colleges and universities online. We have a list of links to Vermont colleges and universities. For links to schools beyond Vermont, consult IPEDS College Opportunities On-Line, a site maintained by an arm of the U.S. Department of Education called the National Center for Education Statistics. You can also try Petersons online guide, or other resources in our Web picks list. (Most school Web sites are easy to find; they are usually "www." and then the name of the school followed by ".edu"). Write for college catalogs and viewbooks if a school doesn't have a Web site.

• Virtual campus tours are great, but it's important that you take the time to visit the schools you're most interested in.

• Don't rule out a college because it seems too expensive. Consult the school's financial aid office, and VSAC, for financing information.

We offer month-by-month online planning tips for high school seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen (and their parents) who are hoping to continue their education after graduation. Students and parents can find great advice about planning, applying, and paying for college or other training.