Why go to college?

Education beyond high school has many benefits. Individuals with a college education usually earn more and have a wider selection of career choices. You have the opportunity to learn new things, meet new people and experience much more. You gain valuable skills from the classroom and from interactions with students and staff in other school activities.

So how do I choose a college?

There are many different types of colleges with different types of programs. What you will need to do is a college search. Here are a few things to consider when looking for a college.

• Where is the college located? What is the student population? Is it private or public? Is there a religious affiliation? Is it a single-sex college or is it co-ed?
• How much does it cost? Are there in-state costs versus out-of-state costs?
• What degree programs or majors are offered? Is the college accredited?
• What does the college require for admission? What are the GPA requirements? SAT or ACT requirements?
• What is campus life like? Are there sports, clubs, fraternities or sororities?

Go to www.studentaid.ed.gov and click on MyFSA. This feature will allow you to log in and do college searches, keeping in mind the questions listed above. It is a valuable tool for comparing colleges and the information can be saved for you to reference later.

For additional information visit each college's website or write to the colleges that interest you to request more information. These sources should provide additional information about admission requirements, financial aid, application fees and deadlines. If possible visit the colleges you are most interested in and talk with students, professors, and counselors at those colleges.