Selecting a College: A Checklist Approach (continued)

- LOVEJOY'S COLLEGE GUIDE - THE COLLEGE HANDBOOK - PETERSON'S ANNUAL GUIDE - ONE HUNDRED TOP COLLEGES: HOW TO CHOOSE & GET IN - BARRON'S PROFILES OF AMERICAN COLLEGES - BARRON'S GUIDE TO THE BEST, MOST POPULAR, & MOST EXCITING COLLEGES - AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES - THE COLLEGE BLUE BOOK

College counselors recommend these standard guides, which are updated annually. They differ in style and content, and some go beyond facts and statistics to provide "inside" information gathered from students and alumni.

Acquiring More Information

After drawing up a list of preferred colleges, students are ready to gather information and explore their choices in depth. The more information they acquire, the more likely they will make a good decision. Making a file on each college and keeping copies of correspondence, applications, personal notes, financial aid information, and names of personal contacts and conversations with people on campus can serve as excellent sources for making the final choice.

The primary sources for gathering information on colleges include the following:

- COLLEGE CATALOGS--basic source of information about a college containing detailed information on admission procedures and policies, academic and degree requirements, costs, student life, and financial aid. Available directly from the college, or sometimes from a high school counselor, school library, or public library.

- COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES--students may meet with representatives from colleges, such as the director of admissions and admissions officers, to obtain more information or answer individual questions.

- COLLEGE VISITS--campus visits are one of the most effective means to determine if the college is the right one (COLLEGE-BOUND DIGEST, 1983). Many colleges provide campus tours and programs which give an excellent opportunity to get a feeling of size and atmosphere. Ideally, these visits can be combined with an admissions interview.

- COLLEGE STUDENTS, FACULTY, OR RECENT ALUMNI--talking to current students is an excellent way to gather first-hand impressions and personal opinions about a college and student life. If it is not economically or geographically possible to visit the campus, the admissions office can provide names of alumni representatives who live in the student's area.

- HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS--as trained professionals, guidance counselors can provide invaluable information.

- PARENTS AND FRIENDS--according to a group of recent college-bound students, family and friends are one of the best sources of information about colleges (THE COLLEGE HANDBOOK, 1984). They can be a good source of information, opinions, and trustworthy advice.

- COLLEGE FAIRS/COLLEGE NIGHTS--many high school guidance offices schedule regular visits from college representatives during the senior year. College fairs are particularly helpful to those who have not had the opportunity to visit many college campuses or talk with college representatives (GUIDE TO COLLEGE IN THE MIDWEST, 1984). These fairs provide an excellent opportunity to talk to many college representatives and gather information the same day.