Planning for college

Choosing where to go to college is a very important decision. The decision will affect your future and even your success as a student. Here are some things to think about…

• Location — Are you willing to move away from home? Do you prefer the city or country?
• Type of school — Do you want to go to a large or small school?
• Admission requirements — How are your grades and test scores?
• Academics — What do you want to study? Which campus offers the best program for you?
• Financial aid — How much aid do you need? Can the campus provide you with aid (scholarships, part-time employment)?
• Housing — Where will you live? Do you want to live on campus?
• Activities — What are your interests and hobbies?

• Research University: an institution that grants bachelor’s, graduate and professional degrees and offers a wide variety of courses and degree programs. Generally, they have large student bodies and expansive campuses.
• Regional University: an institution that offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and in some instances, associate or professional degrees. They tend to have mid-sized student populations and campuses.
• Community College: an institution that grants associate degrees for transfer to four-year institutions or for career preparation. They usually offer flexible class schedules with smaller class sizes.
• Technical Branch: an institution that has a special emphasis on education and training in technical fields. Some technical branches offer academic courses and programs that lead to an associate degree.