Great Faculty, Campus with enhanced class rooms

Good college. Keep in mind that not every degree can be completed in four years. Some STEM fields, for example, might have industry or internship experiences that require an extra year for students to complete, and other colleges have a large number of working students who may need extra time to balance academics with jobs.

Opportunities to receive financial aid. • Extensive library and computing facilities. • Quality academic support services and ample staff (academic advisors, tutors, TAs, etc.) • Excellent support services and staff (administration, career services, student advocacy, equity services, etc.) • Well maintained on/off-campus residences and positive residence life programs. • Healthy, diverse food options and affordable food plans.

Job fairs on campus. Resume development sessions. Mock interviews. Frequent academic advising. Pre-tests and study sessions. GRE, MCAT, and LSAT preparation services. Networking opportunities.

Campuses have their own personalities and priorities. For example, they may place more emphasis on anything from performing arts to Greek life. Find schools that complement you. Academics are the most important feature of your college career, but you also want to ensure that your life will be stimulating and fulfilling outside of class as well.

It doesn't matter how great a college is if you can't pay for it. You won't know exactly what a school will cost you until you receive an official financial aid package, but it's easy to find what percentage of students receive aid and grants to attend. The financial aid that students receive varies greatly among public and private institutions. Private colleges cost more to attend but generally have more money to offer than public universities. All schools publish average aid packages including the amount of aid that comes from grants and loans. Watch out for heavy loan burdens—you don't want to graduate with so much debt it will be difficult to pay back.

The financial aid that students receive varies greatly among public and private institutions. Private colleges cost more to attend but generally have more money to offer than public universities. All schools publish average aid packages including the amount of aid that comes from grants and loans. Colleges will generally try to meet you in the middle with financial aid—don't expect to have your entire tuition paid for, but don't allow a school to ask for more than you can realistically pay. Check out these college profiles to know whether you qualify for aid at your dream school and approximately how much grant aid you might be able to expect.

Consider hobbies old and new. If you loved something in high school and want to continue practicing it, find ways to go after it in college before you get there. College is the time to chase new interests too, so don't close your mind to options you had not considered. You may discover lifelong passions when you try new things. Campuses have their own personalities and priorities. For example, they may place more emphasis on anything from performing arts to Greek life. Find schools that complement you. Academics are the most important feature of your college career, but you also want to ensure that your life will be stimulating and fulfilling outside of class as well.

While you'll find germs, fattening foods, and stress on nearly every campus, it is in your best interest to research a college's health and wellness facilities and programs before attending. As a rule, the following should be true: Dining halls should offer healthy meal options daily. Non-athletes should have access to good exercise facilities. A health center should be available to students for basic services, preferably easily accessible from the campus. A counseling center offering support for students struggling with mental health issues should also be available.

Very helpful Seniors, In addition to general academic help, realize that all colleges are required to comply with Section 504 of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Qualifying students must be offered reasonable accommodations such as extended time on exams, separate testing locations, and whatever else may be needed to help them perform well. Great colleges include plenty of robust services under and outside of Section 504.

• Hiring and supporting quality professors/faculty - these are the people who will be teaching you, it's the core of your university experience. • A wide range of course offerings (including courses that are consistently offered and up-to-date with current research and events). • Reasonable rates of tuition in relation to the quality of courses/faculty.

As you look at colleges, be sure to spend time exploring their course catalogs. Determine whether a college has a strong first-year curriculum to support your transition into college-level coursework and whether a college offers courses that interest you. All colleges should have elective courses that make you feel excited but make sure they have substance rather than fluff.