Written by Rising STAR, Krystal 
 
Searching for colleges can be very stressful but also very fun! There are many factors to keep in mind while picking the right college for you. First thing you need to know is that there are many different ways to actually start searching for colleges.

For me, I found www.collegeboard.com to be the most help. I found the website was full of great resources I could use.  I liked that it asked me a few questions about my interests and then helped me to narrow down the search. It also helped me compare all the colleges I that met my search criteria. I was able to see the comparison in a well-organized chart.

My guidance counselors and teachers have also been wonderful resources. They have been through this process themselves and watched many others go through the same process, so they have been very helpful especially offering tips and advice.

Another option for helping you with your college search is to use a website called Bridges that our friends at the Center for College Planning offer.  It works like the Collegeboard website, and gives you a list of colleges that you might be interested in.  Call the Center for College Planning today at (800)525-2577, ext. 119 for the Site ID and password information you will need to get started.

Once you’ve got a list of colleges you’re interested in, you can start narrowing down your search. Start by visiting colleges and taking tours. This can help you decide which ones you feel comfortable at and might want to apply to.  Give yourself plenty of time to do your college searching because the search process can be long.  However, doing the legwork now is something that will make your life in college a lot easier, more fun, and more worthwhile in the end.

Have fun with the search,

Krystal