Myths About College Selection

• There is one perfect college for me.
  There are any number of colleges might be right for you. There are, almost 3,000 colleges and universities from which to choose. They range from public to private, from large to small, from urban to rural, and from liberal arts to technical training. With a little exploration, you will find several that will be a good match for you.
   
• I need to decide on my career before I can choose a college.
  The Department of Labor predicts that people entering the workforce will hold 12-15 jobs during their working years and switch careers four times! By the year 2000, half the workforce will be in jobs not yet created. A college education that prepares you to be flexible will also make you marketable into the 21st century. That is the type of an education you can plan and implement now.
   
• We can only afford a low-priced college.
  Students often rule out schools that seem too expensive before exploring all the options. Explore now; narrow later. In order to attract students from all income levels and different areas of the country, private colleges and out of state schools may offer significant amounts of financial aid; (1) grants, which are gifts; (2) loans, which are paid back. (3) paid work study. These offers can drastically change your cost to attend schools that at first seem too expensive. (See Financing Your College Education)
   
• I’ve never heard of this college, so it can’t be any good.
  Most people can probably name only a small portion of the 3,000 US colleges. These are usually the old East Coast schools, large state universities, those with outstanding athletic teams or those near home. The schools that may be a match for you might be ones you haven’t heard of yet.