Source: Get a Jump on College & Careers in Ohio; ACT Get Set For College

Once you've examined your interests, abilities and career options, you need to start determining which college, university, or technical school is the one to meet YOUR personal needs. To help narrow choices, here are some things to consider as you make your college selection. You may want to print this section and ask college admissions representatives attending the Cleveland Northeast Suburban College Fair!

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY: usually has a liberal arts college as well as several other specialized colleges such as business, engineering, education, agriculture, law and medicine. Each of these individual colleges may have its own set of entrance requirements.

4-YEAR COLLEGE: an institution of higher learning that offers a curriculum leading to a 4-year bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree.

2-YEAR COLLEGE: (community college, technical college or university regional campus) offers associate degree programs that serve as the first two years of a bachelor's degree and/or provide skills needed for entry into technical career fields.

VOCATIONAL/TRADE SCHOOL: offers career-oriented programs that may last from a few months to a couple of years. These schools, which are often proprietary (for-profit) institutions, generally do not offer transfer programs or programs parallel to those of 4-year colleges.

AFFILIATION

• Public
• Private-independent
• Private-church affiliated
• Proprietary

• Very small (under 1,000 students)
• Small (1,000 - 3,999 students)
• Medium (4,000 - 8,999 students)
• Large (9,000 - 19,999 students)
• Very large (more than 20,000 students)

• Rural
• Small town
• Suburban
• Urban

LOCATION

• In your hometown
• Less than three hours from home
• More than three hours from home

• Dormitory
• Off-campus housing
• Home
• Facilities and services for students with disabilities

• All male
• All female
• Co-ed
• Minority representation
• Primarily one religious denomination
• Primarily full-time students
• Primarily part-time students
• Primarily commuter students
• Primarily residential students

• Highly Selective - students rank in top 10% of class and have a very strong academic record
• Selective - students rank in top 25% of class and have a strong academic record
• Traditional - students rank in top 50% of class and have a good academic record
• Liberal - many students are accepted from lower half of class
• Open - all students are accepted to limit of capacity

• When applying to 4-year colleges, they will want to know which admissions option you want. Usually the following are offered:
• Deferred Admission - An accepted student is allowed to postpone enrollment for a year
• Early admission - a student of superior ability is admitted into college courses and programs before completing high school
• Early decision - a student declares a first-choice college, requests that the college decide on acceptance early (Nov. - Jan.), and agrees to enroll if accepted
• Early action - Similar to early decision, but if a student is accepted, he/she has until the regular admissions deadline to decide whether to attend
• Early evaluation - a student can apply under early evaluation to find out if the chance of acceptance is good, fair or poor. Applications are due before the regular admissions deadline and the student is given an opinion between January and March

• Open admission - virtually all high school graduates are admitted, regardless of academic qualifications
• Regular admission - This is the most common option offered to students. A deadline is set up when all applications must be received and all notifications are sent out at the same time.

• Is your major offered?
• What is the student/faculty ratio?
• What is the faculty teaching reputation?
• What is the percentage of instruction by professors vs. teaching assistants?
• What are the facilities like? (Classrooms, library, computer labs)
• Is independent study available?
• Is international study available?
• Are internships available?

Colleges vary greatly in cost. Do not automatically pass over an institution that appears to be too expensive. You may be able to receive financial aid that will make your education affordable. When estimating cost, remember tuition and fees, room and board, miscellaneous personal expenses and transportation costs.

FINANCIAL AID

• Scholarships
• Grants
• Loans
• Work-study programs
• Part-time or full-time jobs

• Academic counseling
• Career/Placement counseling
• Personal counseling
• Student health facilities

• Clubs, organizations
• Greek life
• Athletics, intramurals

• Division I, II, or III
• Sports offered
• Scholarships available

• Gifted student services
• Services for students with disabilities or special needs