The decision about which college to attend is one that has become increasingly difficult for students. The availability of information about schools through a college finder means that students thousands of miles away are now considering even small regional institutions. It is important for anyone who is planning to attend a university to gather as much information about a school as possible before entering into the highly competitive application process. There are a few specific sources of information that should be examined whenever possible.

Catalogs

Printed catalogs from different colleges are available in several locations. High schools and career counselors normally keep a few available. Nearly every college will send out a printed catalog upon request. The catalog is designed to highlight the different aspects of the school in a clear way. Catalogs are important, because they reflect the personality of a university. They also enumerate many important pieces of information such as deadlines, available courses and campus locations in a way that can be referred to whenever it is needed. The printed catalogs that educational institutions provide are an invaluable resource when comparing different schools.

Current Students And Alumni

One way to get information about what it is like to attend a college is to ask current students and alumni. People who have been at the school and who have taken classes will have an inside perspective about what the academic programs are like. They will also be able to speak accurately about life on the campus and in the surrounding area. It is important to consider only the facts provided. This is because the individual experiences of a single person are not always indicative of the broader consensus. Someone who is having a poor experience might be in the wrong program or could have other personal issues with the college. Personal opinions need to be objectively considered and not regarded as facts in all cases.

Tour The Campus

It is important to go on college tours before making a final decision to attend any single university. The tour gives a potential applicant the ability to ask questions from counselors, professors and other students. It also places the campus and academic programs into a realistic context when compared to other schools. Students who are unable to visit different campuses because of time or distance are now able to take virtual college tours. These provide the same level of interactivity as a walking tour without requiring long trips to another city or state. Touring the campus and aggressively asking questions from the people who are working at the college is essential.