Career goals: If possible, choose a major program of study. This should reflect a student’s long-term interests and goals.

 Program of Study: Explore schools that offer student’s intended major. Be careful as ideas change! Does the school offer alternatives?

 Location: in state or out of state? Does the student want to come home for the weekend? Warm or cold climate? City, suburb, or rural environment? If a student chooses a residential college far from home, you will want to know what percentage of students remain on campus during weekends.

 Type of Institution: broad liberal arts curriculum, or one with a particular specialty? Public or private?

 Size of School: large university, small college, or medium size school?

 Religious affiliation: many schools have ties to a particular religion. Would this kind of school suit your student’s needs?

 Admissions requirements: compare your student’s grades, test scores, class rank, etc. with the average for the particular school – how do you compare?

 Credit: does the school give credit for Advanced Placement in high school?

 Calendar: does the school have a calendar plan that your student will like(semester, block, quarters, trimesters)?

 Residence policies: is on-campus housing required? Are residence halls coed or single gender? Is off campus housing available? Are all incoming students required to live on campus their freshman year?

 Campus life: are there activities available your student would enjoy or participate such as cultural activities, intercollegiate sports, intramural sports, fraternities or sororities, student government, clubs, music groups, etc? How accessible are the activities for all students?

 Costs: does the cost agree with your family’s intended budget? What types of financial aid (grants, work study, student loans,) might be available? Are there scholarships your student qualifies for? Is there need and non-need based aid? Don’t rule out a school strictly based on cost; some schools have generous support (especially private schools, and particularly for students with strong academic credentials).

 Special Programs: for learning and/or physical disabilities, study abroad, internships, ROTC, student government, clubs/associations, Greek life, etc.

 Athletic Programs: does the school offer what your student needs or wants? Is it Division I or II (scholarships may be available) or Division III (no athletic scholarships)? Can your student make the team? Is he/she willing to put in the time and effort?

 Facilities and Environment: are the facilities compatible with your student’s desires? Look at the school’s facilities, such as residence halls, library, labs, dining halls, etc.