How to narrow down a college list?

[nehiker]

Do all of the schools on the list have ROTC programs either on campus or nearby? If not, then that could be a way to winnow down the list. And even if you do not like your in-state options, consider visiting them or schools in nearby states just to get a feel for different types of school environments (university versus LAC, size, urban/rural, campus layout, types of facilities, etc.) Consider them representative samples of other colleges.