There are plenty of good colleges. But just because a college is popular among your friends or highly ranked by a magazine doesn’t mean it’s a good fit for you.

Hanging out with your high school friends can be part of college, but it shouldn’t be the focus. Attending a college just for the comfort of your friends and the parties that will ensue is a quick path to dropping out. Similarly, just because a college has a prestigious basket weaving major doesn’t mean you will feel comfortable on campus.

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There is plenty of scholarship money out there. Some sources estimate there is between $60 and $70 billion available in college and university scholarships, grants, fellowships and federal funding. All it takes is knowing where the money is and how to get it. You can have your share if you just follow these five steps.

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Colleges want students that are prepared for higher education coursework. The closest match for most high school students are the Advanced Placement courses, commonly called AP classes.
AP courses have earned their reputation as challenging, time-intensive classes. These classes add another challenge to an already difficult schedule of high school and college preparation. There are, however, several reasons why AP classes are worth the effort.

1. Drive. AP courses are usually equivalent to college freshman-level classes. College admissions counselors love to see AP courses on your transcript because they demonstrate your desire to succeed at the college level. Even if you don’t ace the tests colleges will still admire the effort – and guts – these tough classes take.

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You have an ace up your sleeve in the college admissions process: the essay. Your essay can set you apart from other students with similar test scores and GPA.

The essay you write for your college application can make you stand out from the stacks and stacks of papers collecting dust on a college admission officer’s desk. Here are four tips on how to get through the essay writing process.

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College Search Overview for Beginners
By Phillip Walters

Almost as soon as high school begins students turn their attention to the college admissions process. There are plenty of places to turn for help – from counselors to older siblings and parents – but the college search can be overwhelming. Taking the first step can seem unachievable.

The following tips aren’t the end all. They are only the tip of a vast iceberg. But having a good overview of the process give you an idea of where to start, how to plan and what steps you should take when. The college admissions process can only be navigated by planning and having clear expectations of what’s ahead.

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College isn’t just for high school seniors anymore. These days, people of all ages are starting to realize the potential benefits a college education can bring. Older students, those who are older than 24 years of age, are quickly outpacing traditionally younger aged college students on campuses nationwide. These coeds, referred to as non-traditional students, are usually older, with a job and a family to support. The different circumstances of these students present some challenges when it comes to searching for a college.

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Financial considerations are most important when choosing a college. Without the funding to afford a college education, a student’s dream of earning a degree can be put on hold. Tuition and other college costs have put a large premium on the finances of education; somewhat above the learning experience of coeds.

Obviously the tuition costs are affecting the college search process for most students. The rate of increase for tuition in colleges has steadily increased over the past decade, far outstripping the rate of inflation. Considering this fact, many students have to opt for their second or third college choices because of cost.

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Deciding that you want to go to college after high school is easy. Choosing the right college? Now that’s tough.

The college search process is tricky. Colleges, family members, friends and guidance counselors will all offer advice. But their influence may not be what’s best for your college search. Here is a five-step outline to help you find the best college, and avoid some headaches.

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Some colleges pride themselves on their student-faculty ratios. They use this as a cornerstone of their pitch to students. These numbers, however, can be very misleading.

I’ll shed some light on what where schools get their numbers and what this means for potential students. Regardless of the student-faculty ratios presented to you, be prepared to do some extra research to fully understand the learning environment at a potential college.

Student-to-faculty ratios have very little to do with actual class. Some schools insinuate that low ratios mean smaller classes and more personal attention from professors. This may be the case, but a low ratio doesn’t guarantee more one-on-one work with your teachers.

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