If you determine that the pursuit of a college education best suits your needs and goals, you need to determine what you want from college. Asking yourself these questions now may ease some difficult decisions you might face later.

1.What degree of academic challenge is best for you? What balance of study, activities, and social life suits you best? Do you want an academic program where you can make respectable grades without knocking yourself out? How well do you respond to academic pressure and competition from others? How important is it to you to perform at the top of your class, or would you be satisfied to be in the middle or bottom of your college class?

2.What career interests do you want to pursue? Can you receive adequate training through a two year technical program or is a degree from a four year college needed to enter your career field?

3.Which interests do you want to pursue in college? Do you interests require any special facilities, programs, or opportunities? Have you considered all your interests in terms of fields of study, activities, and community and cultural opportunities?

4.What type of surrounding is essential to your growth and well being? Do you prefer a fast-paced environment where something is happening most of the time, an organized environment where you can join a wide variety of planned activities, or a more serene and relaxed environment where you can go your own way?

After you have taken a good look at yourself and explored what you want from college, discuss your reasons with your parents, counselor, and anyone else who can help you focus on your long-term goals. Don’t worry if your reasons are not the same as those of your friends. You are an individual and your reasons have to make sense to you.

Identify Characteristics Important to You:

1. What kind of college: 4-year, 2-year, Vocational/ Technical School

2. Location: Consider climate, section of country, and type of community

3. Admissions Requirements: GPA, ACT/ SAT Scores, Involvement

4. Selectivity/ Competitiveness: Most Competitive to non-competitive

5. Size of School: Large to small

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