7 Key Factors for Choosing the Best College

ALBANY, NY (06/17/2011)(readMedia)-- Choosing the college where you'll spend the next two or four years can be overwhelming, but doing your research and being prepared with questions will help you sort the campuses you love from those you don't.

The New York State Higher Education Services Corp. (HESC) offers college planning and financial aid tools to help you make the best choices as you select a college. HESC is the State's student financial aid agency that helps people pay for college.

Summer is a great time to make college tours with your family, since you can plan a travel route and visit several colleges during a short period of time. Campus tours are usually available during school breaks and can be scheduled through the admissions office. Review their websites before you travel so you can focus on the qualities that make each college interesting to you when you arrive.

Here are seven factors that will influence your college choice:

1 - Admissions

A review of the college admissions website may answer most of your questions. You'll need to find out about admissions requirements, deadlines, standardized test requirements and any other required documentation.

2 - Academics

Your academic choices and achievements will shape your future; review the rigors and reputation of each college's programs carefully. You'll want to review the course offerings in the printed or online catalog and ask about the faculty when you visit.

3 - Cost and Financial Aid

The cost of a four-year degree can be a surprise to families, but the majority of students receive financial aid, reducing the overall cost of college.

Find complete information about federal and State financial aid including the New York State Tuition Assistance Program, scholarships and NYHELPs college loans at HESC.org.

It's important to know in advance the total cost of college, or "cost of attendance." The college admissions website provides the cost of attendance and may offer a net price calculator to refine information based on your personal circumstances.

4 - Residential Life

You'll be spending 24/7 on campus several months of the year, so it's important to feel comfortable. Your campus tour may include a visit to a dorm; don't pass up this opportunity to see what campus living is like.

A review of the residential life page of the college website will answer many of your basic questions in areas such as laundry facilities, security and computer network availability.

5 - Student Life

Your college experience will be enhanced by the student programs provided on campus, especially if you are planning to attend a college far from urban conveniences. You'll want to know what it's like on campus and the surrounding community during the week-ends. While visiting the campus, take a drive around the community...is it safe? Is there shopping nearby? Does the college provide programs during the freshman year to help students make the adjustment to campus life?

6 - Athletics

If you are planning to participate in varsity sports, there are very important questions you will need to ask the coach and management staff during your interviews. Detailed information about participating as a student-athlete can be found on the college website or at NCAAstudent.org.

7 - Other Considerations

Check the computers, labs and other technologies that you will use to be sure they are up-to-date. Take a tour of the library to check the condition of the books and other reference materials.

If any of your prospective colleges are far from home, consider how you will travel to and from campus and the cost. Short distances can be made by car, but those further from home may require bus, train or air travel. Factor in travel time and costs as you make your college decisions.

Going on college visits and tours can be fun, but the time and expense of attending college make it very important to choose your college wisely. A little research and preparation ahead of your visit can go a long way to helping you choose the best college.

About HESC: HESC is New York State's student financial aid agency, helping people pay for college by providing more grant and scholarship award money than any other state in the nation. At HESC's core are programs like the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), numerous state scholarships, the New York Higher Education Loan Program (NYHELPs), federal college access grants and a highly successful College Savings program. HESC puts college within the reach of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers each year through programs like these, and through the guidance it provides to students, families and counselors. In 2009-10, HESC helped more than 605,000 students achieve their college dreams by providing $4.4 billion in grants, scholarships and loan guarantees, including $901 million awarded through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to nearly 398,000 students.