An Internet Road Map for the College-Bound Student (continued)

The second problem stems from the relative ease of applying online: submitting too many applications. No matter how easy it may be to push a button and send yet another application, submitting a large number of applications often makes your final decision more difficult. It's better to spend some time researching colleges and narrowing your list rather than applying to a bunch of colleges you don't know much about.

Warning Signs

Not all of the information you find on the Internet is accurate. Anyone can put up a Web site for minimal cost and say anything they want. That means that you need to consider the source of anything you find on the Web. Before depending on information from a Web site, ask yourself the following questions:

• Where is the information coming from? That is, who is sponsoring the site?

• What motives might the person or organization behind the site have for publishing certain information? For example, corporations want to sell their products, and activist organizations want to draw readers to their cause. There is plenty of good information on corporate and activist sites, of course, but be aware that you might be getting only one side of the story.

• Can you find similar information elsewhere, on unrelated sites?

• Are opinions backed up with facts or references to other publications?

Finally, if you have any questions about college admission information you find on the Internet, ask your guidance or college counselor.

Don't Leave the Dirt Roads Behind

The Web can be very useful in the college search, but sometimes the traditional avenues are just as valuable. No matter how detailed a Web site is, it can't take the place of visiting a campus or talking to people who know the college first-hand. And the Internet is not nearly as helpful when you need to make a big decision about where to apply or to attend. For that, you need to consult your own goals, feelings and thoughts—and your best help may be a real-time conversation with your family or your college counselor.