<p>Ignore the username for a moment.</p>
<p>I've come to the time where now I want to decide which colleges to apply to.</p>
<p>I mean.. I've said a few here and there.. but I want places that scream me.</p>
<p>How do I start my search?</p>
<p>Location and size first (where you can picture yourself living for four years)
If you feel strongly about a major, eliminate all schools that don’t offer it.
Compare your GPA and test scores to the average range for each college.
If money is an issue, include your state schools and eliminate all private colleges that are reaches (you will more likely get money from match or safty schools).
Visit the schools that are left on the list if possible.</p>
<p>I would say look at your finances and your priorities.
Grab a piece of paper and map it all out.
What is more important for you?
Small classes?
Location?
Lay prestige?
Cost?
Cost of the surrounding area?
Weather?
Programs offered?
Diversity?
Greek life?
Close to home?
(these are in random order)</p>
<p>When you figure out which are your priorities, pick schools that match all of that criteria.</p>
<p>When you do, match your test scores and gpa with the ones from those schools. Make sure you have a few safeties, a few matches, and a few reaches. </p>
<p>If your financial situation is not that good, consider going to a community college for two years and then transfering to a university.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Almost any book about college admissions will have a chapter or more about how to find colleges that are a fit. One book I recommend is called “admission Matters”</p>
<p>For one, I think the main factor should be academics. If I’m paying thousands of dollars to go to this school, I really ** do not** care if there is a sport scene or bad social life or no bars or crappy food. Seriously!</p>