Answer 1

In order to have schools to work with, my suggestion is to first sign onto Collegeview.com, respond to the questions and generate for yourself, a listing of colleges that match your interests. Once you have "the list", place it on your left side and write on the bottom your GPA and test scores, then place a chart on your right side much like the one below:

School Name                                GPA                        SAT                ACT

Next, sign onto either or Collegedata.com or Naviance (if your school uses Naviance). Collegedata and Naviance, will give you the average GPA and test scores, of those students that have been accepted into a particular college have been. So, list of schools on your left, chart on your right pen in hand. Sign onto for example, Collegedata.com and type in Rutgers University which will result in a chart  coming up on your screen like the one below: (click on the link below to view chart - also, in order to use the Collegedata website, you will need to sign up but it is free - I would suggest that the parent register so that all can participate in the search)

http://www.collegedata.com/cs/odds/odds_home_tmpl.jhtml

Once you have a chart on your screen, you will be able to determine if a school on your list, belongs in the safety, 50/50 or reach column. After you research each school on your list through Collegedata or, Naviance, you can sit back and review your chart seeing where you have the best chances of being accepted are.

For myself, when using collegeview.com, the most important thing is to keep the answers as honest as possible thereby, generating a true list of possible colleges for you.

Good Luck!

 

Answer 2

The single most important factor when looking at schools is to consider the following question about your self--- how do you learn best? Are you a student who likes to participate in class discussions? Do you learn from other students' questions and the answers that are discussed? Do you learn best in small classes ( less than 25 ). Do you like seminar type classes? Knowing your learning style is important when looking at schools. Sure the campuses will all be nice. The dorm rooms are great. The food courts have wide choices. Everyone smiles on campus. But the real reason you attend college is to learn. Can you take notes in large lecture hall with 500 other students? Can you really demonstrate what you have learned on a mid term and final exam? Would you rather have 5 -6 short papers and the exams ? The social makeup of the campus is important. What do you have in common with the student body? If 60 % of the student body belongs to the Greek system and you have no desire to join, what will your social life be like? Look at the social issues on campus ( read the school newspaper by picking up a copy when on campus) will give you great clues. Where are the students from ( local, regional, national or international).? Do you want to make a break or it is OK to go to college with the same kids you went to high school with? Academically, where do you fit? Can you be successful on the campus without giving up your life.? Does the school offer academic choices for you? Does the school offer state of the art facilities in your area? Do you want to be a small fish in a big pond or a big fish in a small pond? There are students who were the top student in their high school and they are an average student at their college. Location is important -- the city or the suburbs? That is the question. What is there to do on weekends? Can you make your own fun? What does the school provide/ What are the traditions? You will spend more time at college ( if you go away) during the four years there then you will at home. Cost --- Important but does not have to be a deal breaker. Apply first. Get admitted. Review the financial aid letter. Make a decision. Have a balanced list ( reach, targets and likely schools) Doing the right research will give you many schools to chose from. It is not uncommon to start with a list of 25 - 30 schools and then reduce that list to 15 -18 and then have final list of 10 -12. I hope these suggestion get you off to a good start.