How do you find wonderful colleges and universities when there are thousands of schools to choose from?
I hear that question a lot, which is why today I'm sharing the following eight ways that you can hunt for great schools:
1. Decide whether you want to attend a college or a university.
Choosing between the two main types of schools will significantly narrow your search. Here are posts that can help you understand the difference between these institutions:
2. Use US News college rankings for ideas
I don't put much stock in the US News' college rankings. Is the No. 1 university really better than No. 25 or No. 50? I seriously doubt it. I do think, however, that the lists of schools that US News compiles can provide you with names of intriguing college choices that you never knew existed. Just don't get hung up on the numbers.
To generate ideas, look through the annual guide, US News Best Colleges 2012 or visit the college rankings website.
3. Get tips from Forbes College rankings.
Forbes' college rankings aren't nearly as well known, but I think they are more relevant than the magazine's more famous competitor. The methodology for Forbes' rankings was developed by the Center for College Productivity and Affordability. On the think tank's site you can find the college rankings broken down by region - Northeast, Midwestern, Southern and Western schools- which I find very helpful. Once again, just use the rankings to find ideas.
4. Check out Unigo.
This helpful website provides unvarnished reviews from students about what they think about their schools. You may be surprised at just how candid many of these student reviews are on Unigo.
5. Compare graduation rates.
You can eliminate plenty of schools from consideration by looking at their grim four-year graduation rates. Find the stats at College Results Online.
6. Use college search engines.
Looking for private or public colleges and/or universities in a particular state with a particular major? College search engines can help. One I particularly like is at the federal College Navigator.
7. Look at collegiate guidebooks for ideas.
Two guidebooks worth checking out are The Princeton Review's Best 376 Colleges, 2012 Edition and Fiske Guide to Colleges 2012.
8. Use a matchmaker.
Cappex and Zinch serve as an intermediary between colleges and students looking to connect. To get started, teenagers can create their own profiles that include what kind of schools they are interested in exploring.
