Do you realize that choosing a college is the second most important decision you’ll ever make after your choice of who to marry?

Where you go to school will impact your family, friendships, career, and probably even where you live for the rest of your life so it’s obviously not a decision to make lightly.

If you’re starting to get uneasy about finding the right university that fits your academic and social needs, realize you’re not alone: tens of thousands of high school graduates face the same dilemmas every year and come out fine.

Also take comfort in the fact that there is a school for every student-athlete, and, like buying a new pair of jeans, you just have to find which one fits you best.

With so many choices, what’s the best way to begin? Approach it like a homework assignment, only this one is a grade you’ll give yourself some day.

Here, then, are our five suggestions to help you on your way…

1-MAKING THE GRADE:

Colleges look at grades and test scores first. It is a means for them to separate those they predict will succeed or struggle academically at their university. Be prepared and get the "thumbs up" from he schools you’re interested in!

How? Start by using the school resources at your disposal to aid you in raising grades or keeping them as strong as possible. When taking the SAT, ACT, or other standardized tests it is always a good idea to get outside help with studying for these exams.

Barrons puts out good study guides that can aid in test preparation. Their website also gives more tips and means to selecting a school (see link below). If you cannot sign up for a class like The Princeton Review or Kaplan (to name two) then purchase study books at a local bookstore.

Nothing wrong with being prepared!

2-BE WELL-ROUNDED:

Extracurricular and non-school activities can set you apart from other applicants.

Colleges like to take "well-rounded" people; while they like those people with the highest scores, they also want people who will contribute to the school community. It’s good to be a "brain" but socialization and getting along with your peers are important too. After all, there aren’t too many jobs where you can effectively live in a vacuum.

Athletics do help, but try to find other activities that you can do in and out of high school that you may wish to pursue in college. Organizations such as the boys and girl scouts and other groups where achievements are measured are great (being an "Eagle Scout" shows an ability to persevere, set and accomplish goals.

Volunteer work is also impressive as it shows it’s not "all about you." Help at hospitals (candystrippers) or homeless shelters indicate a personable, empathetic side which everyone wants in the people they’re around.

3- MAKE A LIST:

Starting is usually the most difficult for people to do in the seemingly overwhelming task of choosing a college. Like buying a car or computer, you should comparison shop after first contemplating factors important to you .
Once, you list the factors, make a note of which have higher priority.
*Ask yourself the following questions (and others that have significant value to your situation):

* Is that city where I’d be comfortable living for four or five years?
* If I’m an athlete, can I succeed in sports there?
* How does this school support my academic interests?
* Does this university have a strong department in the area I’m thinking of majoring in?
* Would I fit in socially?
* Is the distance (close or far away) from home comfortable to me?
* Will the weather conditions adversely affect me?
* Is the enrollment size (small or large) of the student population acceptable to me?

4-NARROWING THE FINALISTS:

Besides the obvious factors of athletics and academics, you should try to find a place that you can do more to stretch yourself while being in a comfortable, stimulating environment. Once you have that "factors list" (step 3) down on paper, and have rated how important is to you, make a second list, a list of between 10-15 schools you may be interested in.

When you chose them, take into account where you can succeed and where you think you will be the happiest. Don’t go to a school because everyone else is. You may not like it and transferring to another school will be a long process and your class credits may or may not transfer to the new institution.

When developing a list find two or three that you can get into no problem and then a few schools that may be a reach for you. The remaining choices are those that can go either way.

With a list like this you are bound to find a place that suits you. If you can, try and see all the schools you put on your first list.

Delete those schools that no longer appeal to you.

Once again, a college guidance counselor is a great source for this because they may turn you on to schools that you have not thought of. Chances are great that there’s a school out there that matches all your criteria but you haven’t though of it.

Don’t overlook anything in this important hunt for the right fit. Remember: this is a place where you are going to live for four or five years!

5-WATCH THE $$$:

College is expensive. When deciding how may schools to apply to remember that each school requires an application fee and the approximately $25-75 fee can quickly add up if you apply at several schools.

Also, be certain to apply for financial aid. There is money out there to help pay for college as well as some low interest loans you can pay back later. If you do take out loans, be cautious of their deadlines. Nothing’s free in this world: you borrow, you repay.

Finally, these are only suggestions. There are websites and books out there that may give different advice. By no means will this get you into school. Just remember to use all the resources possible. Teachers are there to help you.

So go out there and get going. We’ll get you started by listing several websites that can be valuable resources in the decision-making process:

www.petersons.com
www.kaplan.com
www.usnews.com
www.princetonreview.com
www.barronseduc.com