<p>1) Affordability (This can be complicated, by sticker price, Financial and merit aid)
2) Fit - Majors, location
3) Reputation</p>
<p>When I applied to colleges nearly 40 years ago, I knew I would qualify for a lot of financial aid, and I attended an Ivy league school.</p>
<p>My children are applying to privates that give merit aid.</p>
<p>For my children, I look at schools that I can afford. Within this group I look at the majors offered, reputation, location, and what makes each school special.</p>
<p>The first place to start looking, is at an public university that you can commute to, if any.
Also look at your state flagship.
Use tools like Naviance, and the college search tool on this website.
Check out the college’s 4 and 6 year graduation rate. You want to find schools that graduate the majority of its’ students.
Your state’s flagship university usually accepts some of the best students in the state.
Your state may also have a small public college that is its “honors” college. Examples of this are :
NY : Geneseo
NJ : TCNJ
MD: St Mary’s</p>
<p>You might find that some of the smaller public colleges have smaller class sizes and higher graduation rates than the flagship. </p>
<p>In NJ, where I live, TCNJ and Ramapo both have the small college feel that you won’t find at Rutgers. Both have the small college atmosphere. Both have high graduation rates and small class sizes.</p>
<p>Your home state probably has similar colleges.</p>