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Decisions, decisions.

How to make them?

I personally swear by “Eenie, meenie, miney moe.”

But, you could also flip a coin, pull a straw, or use a blindfold. Each mechanism is bound to steer you in the right direction.

The only exception, of course, is this life-altering thought, now pressing upon you:

What college or university should I attend?

Unfortunately, decisions about school are slippery, and often require less obvious tactics.

So what’s the best approach? First and foremost: get in touch with yourself.  You need to understand your individual requirements before you can find a college that best fits you. Identify your preferences, habits, goals, needs, and desires. Then, consider the academic, social, and personal factors that may contribute to your college choices.

We’ve designed the following sections to make this process easier. If you stick to the guidelines, you should have no problem picking the right college for you.

Academic Factors

What areas of study interest you?  Try to be as specific as possible -- think of neuroscience or astrophysics rather than general science.  Are there any particular majors or programs you would like to pursue in college?  Many schools have subjects that are unavailable elsewhere. For example, Columbia University offers a creative writing major, a concentration that is otherwise rare. So, you want to pinpoint your interests as much as possible to find the perfect institution. What kind of career might you have in the future?  What type of intellectual environment would you like to participate in? Do you prefer a liberal arts college or a large, research university?  Today, many colleges have unique teaching strategies. Sarah Lawrence evaluates term papers and tries to reduce the pressure of grades.  Brown University does not have a core curriculum so that students can dabble in various fields. Hampshire College employs interdisciplinary courses rather than traditional academic departments. Do think about your learning style if such alternative choices appeal to you.

Social Factors

What organizations or clubs would you like to join in college? Many schools offer a variety of extracurriculars: sports, magazines, newspapers, ensembles, dance groups, student governments, the list goes on. Identify your favorite past-times so that you can continue to pursue them in college. Of course, you might also want to think about new activities. Many colleges offer unique organizations: UMass Amherst has a Quidditch Club, and Harvard offers a Stem Cell society.  College is a time to experiment with new options -- so consider interests you might like to develop. Are you intrigued by Greek life? Many schools have fraternities and sororities that you might want to participate in.  What resources would you like to have access to? Do you want a large, comprehensive gymnasium to work out in?  Does a professional black theater box appeal to you? What kind of social sphere would you like to join outside of school? Do you want to live in a fast-paced city? Do you prefer a low-key suburb or rural environment? What do you like to do in your free time? Do you want to visit museums, shopping malls, bars, and restaurants? Do you prefer the countryside, natural landscapes and peaceful neighborhoods? Are you a beach or mountains person? Do you want all four seasons, or a consistently tropical weather? Remember, college is a holistic experience. You need to study, but also socialize, explore, and grow. Think about non-academic features that are important to you.

Personal Life

Finally, you might have other requirements, unique to your situation. Many students struggle with the cost of college. If you are in a similar predicament, think about your fiscal capabilities.  What kind of college can your family afford to send you to? Are you able to gain scholarships or loans? Are you in need of financial aid? There are other criteria that may also be relevant to you. Do you want to stay close to home, or do you want to venture out to a new area? Would you like to study abroad?  The Seven Sister colleges in the United States, including Wellesley and Smith, offer competitive degrees and programs. How do you feel about attending a women’s college? Is diversity important to you? Would you like to attend a college with a large minority representation? Do you require specialized facilities or medical services? Are you eager to enlist in the Army or the National Guard whilst in college? Do you want to hold a part-time job while in school? Is Community College a better option for you? These factors might seem trivial, but they are not. You are an individual, like no other. The school you attend should be tailored to you, specifically.

After you have explored your inner depths, find colleges that match your specific needs. You can use a school search engine, like this one: http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/adv_typeofschool.jsp. You can also purchase college guidebooks, meet with an admissions counselor, and conduct online research. This process might sound daunting -- but with the proper groundwork and honest self examination, the college search should be easy and fun.

Best of luck with the selection process!