How to choose a college?

College Search & Lists
1

<p>Quite frankly, I’m very overwhelmed at the prospect of choosing colleges to apply to. I know I’m going to be accepted into a Texas public college (Top 8% rule), but aside from that, I have no idea how to distinguish colleges from others. Should I base it on prestige? How much of a good premed/prelaw/prewhatever program they have? Maybe on location?</p>

<p>A huge volume of college emails have flooded my inbox, and I have no idea how to differentiate one college from the other. Each of them seem to offer the same drivel: Top xxx in the nation, we offer xxxx, click here NOW for FREE information. </p>

<p>How do I do it? Help would greatly be appreciated.</p>

2

<p>This won’t give you all the answers, but it’s a good start: [Three</a> tips from The Thinking Student’s Guide to College: 75 Tips for Getting a Better Education by Andrew Roberts](<a href=“Three tips from The Thinking Student's Guide to College: 75 Tips for Getting a Better Education by Andrew Roberts”>Three tips from The Thinking Student's Guide to College: 75 Tips for Getting a Better Education by Andrew Roberts)</p>

3

<p>A much better book is the annual Yale Daily News’ Insiders Guide to Colleges. It will give you a real feel for what it is like to be a student at the schools you are likely looking at. <a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Insiders-Guide-Colleges-2012-Students/dp/0312672950[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/Insiders-Guide-Colleges-2012-Students/dp/0312672950&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<ol>
<li><p>Check each school for affordability – use its net price calculator to get an estimate of cost and financial aid, and compare it to what you can afford.</p></li>
<li><p>Check each school for the subject(s) you intend to or may possibly study. For certain subjects, there may be separate accreditation by major (e.g. ABET for engineering and AACSB for business). You will want to attend a school at which you can study your intended or possible major(s).</p></li>
<li><p>For pre-med and pre-law, you can study any major. Pre-med requires some courses (typically a year each of general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, physics, math, and English, but requirements do vary between medical schools, as does whether AP credit is accepted) but these can be taken alongside any major. Test scores (MCAT and LSAT) and college GPA are of utmost importance in admissions to medical and law schools.</p></li>
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