Choose a School
By Allen Grove, About.com Guide to College Admissions
Choosing a college is difficult. Should you attend a big university or small college? How do you narrow down your choices? What factors are most important when choosing a college? These articles will help you find the answers.
- Browse the Options
- View the Top Picks and Rankings
- Explore Top Athletic Conferences
- Select a Guidebook
- Create a Short List
Browse the Options
You have thousands of colleges and universities from which to choose. Here you'll find profiles of some that are worth a look because of their excellent academics, athletics or value.
View the Top Picks and Rankings
Some schools have the resources and reputations to constantly find themselves at the top of national rankings. These lists profile some of the country's most elite and prestigious schools.
- 20 Most Selective Colleges
- Top Universities
- Top Liberal Arts Colleges
- Top Public Universities
- Top Public Liberal Arts Colleges
- Top Women's Colleges
- Top Business Schools
- Low SAT Scores? Try These Schools
- Top Engineering Schools
- Phi Beta Kappa - Top Honor Society Chapters
- AAU - Top Research Universities
- Hidden Gems - 2008 Spotlights
- Hidden Gems - 2009 Spotlights
Explore Top Athletic Conferences
These Division I athletic conferences dominate the college athletic scene.
Select a Guidebook
Not all college guidebooks are equal. Read the reviews here.
- Fiske Guide to Colleges 2009
- Peterson's Four Year Colleges 2008
- Loren Pope's Colleges That Change Lives
Create a Short List
The search for the perfect school begins with a broad survey of the options, but at some point you need to narrow down your choices to those schools to which you will apply. In other words, you need to come up with your "short list." These articles will help guide you in the process.
